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Being on time
We all agree that it’s really important but how can we teach it?
A few ideas. Primers: everyones timing is somewhat innate, based on their move and past experiences. Also, I stole most of these from someone, somewhere (S/O to @HyattCraig for the gifs
We all agree that it’s really important but how can we teach it?
A few ideas. Primers: everyones timing is somewhat innate, based on their move and past experiences. Also, I stole most of these from someone, somewhere (S/O to @HyattCraig for the gifs
Timing is experience. So try and help find timing markers for everyone
Know your move and when to start (hand breakish)
If you move sucks, it’s hard to be on time consistently. Anything that moves away from balance, a static movement (IE Foot down super early, starting late)
Know your move and when to start (hand breakish)
If you move sucks, it’s hard to be on time consistently. Anything that moves away from balance, a static movement (IE Foot down super early, starting late)
Big move? You have to start earlier (yes, duh, but... ya know.)
Smaller move (IE Belli)? Start later (duh, yes I know but 
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This also applies for those who change with 2K’s, If you are trying new things. Its not as easy as “get your foot down early” and be really good at it. We have to train it.
Know when we “go”
Timing your “go” move (forward move) on pitch release. They cant take the ball back once its going forward.
I love the phrase from Cody Atkinson “go to see, dont see to go” Meaning, your forward move aids your timing and vision, getting stuck back hinders it
Timing your “go” move (forward move) on pitch release. They cant take the ball back once its going forward.
I love the phrase from Cody Atkinson “go to see, dont see to go” Meaning, your forward move aids your timing and vision, getting stuck back hinders it
Find the pitchers checkpoints “win the window ( @jamesramsey23)
Mainly when does he break his hand and when does his hand move forward.
Both of these affect when to start and when to go.
Mainly when does he break his hand and when does his hand move forward.
Both of these affect when to start and when to go.
We also need to know what we’re timing.
Too many guys get caught between pitches and thats one reason we’re consistently late. Its elementary but default for most should be time for his best FB and you can adjust from there. You cant time two (or more) pitches at once.
Too many guys get caught between pitches and thats one reason we’re consistently late. Its elementary but default for most should be time for his best FB and you can adjust from there. You cant time two (or more) pitches at once.
Some other factors that go into it
- Where to look
- How pitches “feel” not just how fast they are.
- Balance and its affect on the brain (making things speed up)
- Where to look
- How pitches “feel” not just how fast they are.
- Balance and its affect on the brain (making things speed up)
So some practical discussion questions
- Ask players when they get started.
- Ask them where they’re looking and/or what they’re seeing
- Ask players when they get started.
- Ask them where they’re looking and/or what they’re seeing
A few drills I like
Off time
- Get players off time to understand adjusting.
- Start really early, then really late, then find the middle ground.
- If they can feel it pitch to pitch then they can fix it in games
Off time
- Get players off time to understand adjusting.
- Start really early, then really late, then find the middle ground.
- If they can feel it pitch to pitch then they can fix it in games
Chaos vision
- Close your eyes until coach says go “pitch release”
- Simplify your move and pick up the ball/release window
- Close your eyes until coach says go “pitch release”
- Simplify your move and pick up the ball/release window
- Swing Throughs
- Speeding up/tracking for fastballs/slider but couples with a swing
- After a round or 2 let them hit it (video linked)
- Speeding up/tracking for fastballs/slider but couples with a swing
- After a round or 2 let them hit it (video linked)
Foot down drill
- Put a screen out in front about 15 feet and have a pitcher throw/machine throw into it
- Get your foot down when it hits the screen
- It creates an internal feeling with an external cue.
- Put a screen out in front about 15 feet and have a pitcher throw/machine throw into it
- Get your foot down when it hits the screen
- It creates an internal feeling with an external cue.
Stromans
- Have a player simulate a motion and work on your "go" timing.
- You can use it as dry work, no space needed
- Again, they cant take the ball back when their arm is going forward.
(thanks @PitchingNinja for the gif)
- Have a player simulate a motion and work on your "go" timing.
- You can use it as dry work, no space needed
- Again, they cant take the ball back when their arm is going forward.
(thanks @PitchingNinja for the gif)
These are all just some suggestions and I'm mostly tweeting this because I have been "that coach" in the past who talked about timing but never helped train it. I'd love to hear thoughts, so DM me if you have some good ones.
