Main Takeaways
- Note: This drill is specific for left-handed pitchers, and requires at least two people.
- The drills are designed to be easy on the arm—no max-effort throwing!
- At approximately 45 feet apart, the pitchers should take turns working this sequence: the delivery/throw to home, and then a pickoff to first base.
- The receiving pitcher (first baseman) should judge the mechanics of the other pitcher: how does his head/glove side look when throwing home versus when he is coming to first? It should be near identical!!
- For the inside move to second base, have the pitchers repeat the same sequence as the pickoff to first, but shift the setup so the receiving pitcher is now the second baseman.
- Work on a solid inside move: when the leg kick reaches its pinnacle, rotate the hips (as the leg drops), step, and then make a solid throw to the second baseman.
- The only way to become consistent /effective with the pickoff move, to both first and second base, is to PRACTICE.