Coaching Pitchers - 3rd Edition (book)

Lots of people know pitching. But not every pitching expert is an expert coach. As a coach you need to know how to teach and how to apply pitching information to athletes. Coaching Pitchers is a complete coach's guide to pitching for youth, junior high, high school, and college baseball. Written by a nationally recognized collegiate coach who has coached three teams to NCAA playoffs and who has sent 37 pitchers on to play professionally, this book covers the mechanical, physical, and mental aspects of pitching. Coaching psychology and strategy are also discussed in detail to help you produce successful pitchers and prepare them for successful careers. In this second edition, Joe Spanky McFarland builds upon the principles presented in his first edition. He includes an all-new organization, 240 accurately detailed illustrations, and substantially expanded and updated chapters on fitness training; proper mechanics--footwork, hip rotation, stride, arm motion; appropriate pitches for each age level; strategy; and defensive responsibilities. Realizing that a pitcher's welfare is as much a coach's priority as winning games, McFarland tailors his training program to the pitcher according to age and ability. An 8-year-old doesn't have the strength or flexibility of an 18-year-old, so he shouldn't train like one. In Coaching Pitchers, you'll find out which exercises and combinations of pitches are best suited to bring a pitcher to the fullest potential possible for a given stage of development. Coaches will find the chapter on managing pitchers and pitching staff especially useful. You'll learn what communication skills work with individual pitchers, how to help pitchers set reasonable goals, what qualifications starting pitchers and long and short relievers should have, how to establish a pitching rotation, and how to use pitching charts more effectively. AUDIENCE Reference for baseball coaches and players CONTENTS Preface Chapter 1. Physical Development Flexibility Strength Cardiovascular Fitness Injury and Fatigue Chapter 2. Mechanical Development Lower Body Mechanics Upper Body Mechanics Combining Lower and Upper Body Mechanics Drills for Proper Mechanics Chapter 3. The Pitches The Fastball The Curve The Slider The Change-Up Chapter 4. Strategy Pitch Strategies Strategy Intangibles Calling Pitches Scouting Hitters Communication Between Pitcher and Catcher Chapter 5. Defensive Responsi