Main Takeaways
- The more distance a pitcher can create with their stride foot, the more power and velocity will be generated.
- Use the Maximum Distance Drill to get the pitcher to focus on increasing their stride (as much as possible).
- To start, have the pitcher go through delivery. Have the coach or practice partner mark where the stride foot lands.
- The concept is to go beyond that stride, extending the stride as much as possible while staying in a controlled delivery.
- After the second delivery, mark the progress—if it’s the same or less, have the pitcher reattempt until they can exceed beyond the first mark.
- Like the previous two drills, the idea is to focus on building the stride distance; not worrying about completing a pitch. To emphasize this, don’t use the ball during the first few attempts.
- Once the pitcher is consistent with hitting the second stride, have them throw an actual pitch and recheck how that is affecting their stride.