How to Pitch From the Stretch + Slide Step

Learning how to pitch from the stretch is critical for holding runners. Learn the easiest, simplest way to do the slide step without losing velocity or being too slow to the plate. 🚨 Order a Copy of my new book 👉 geni.us/clean-...
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[@BrianDavis-kg2it]

Great simplified video coach. Helped my 11 year old tremendously.

[@thereal_Mr_Dingers1234]

Thank you for this, it helped me a lot

[@chadmccoy8032]

Very very good video. I have somehow found myself coaching our 10yr old team my son is on. I’ve had a difficult time finding simplified videos. Thanks a bunch.

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bustercat1]

Thanks Coach!

[@jaycip8153]

Very helpful thank you

[@frankhulin2459]

thank you for these interessants tips!

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dblankenship88]

Absoluety nailed it in regards to youth coaches and the insane times they try to get kids to deliver a pitch. I have 1 kid on my 9U club team who cannot for the life of him grasp the concept of a slide step. The rest on my stable is well enough for the age group. Around 1 1/2 - 2 seconds max to the plate. Fastest runner I’ve clocked on any team we’ve played out west going from base to base on 65’ has been 3.12 seconds. I just need to keep working with the kid.

[@DanBlewett]

Especially at 9u they have limited body control. I often had difficulty making changes with kids under 12-some just don’t have the mind body connection yet. And that’s okay. The slide step isn’t easy, even the way I teach it-it takes hip and core strength that many don’t have yet. You’re doing it right teaching them and being patient, and just staying with them as they try their best.

[@dblankenship88]

Dan Blewett I agree with you on limited core strength and body control. My son (Coaches son) does a S&C program 2 times a week. At his age (9) they do one day of agilities/COD drills and the other is limited weight training. He’s able to perform well pitching along with my assistant coach’s son. Besides all that garbage I never tell my kids their delivery times to the plate. Kids get to wrapped up on beating a number and forget all the mechanics they’ve been taught just to become faster, yet it’s all sloppy. The only time my kids are told is the average time it takes a kid to get from home to 1st on a hit. Defensively they have to beat that time when fielding a ball. That’s all I’ve ever told them. Great video as always Coach. Keep them coming. 👍🏼

[@DanBlewett]

You’re doing it right - They’re lucky to have an involved coach like yourself.

[@scottjacobson7044]

4 years ago but very informative

[@Jaythan487]

Cool

[@Merced_1800]

distrupts hitters timing too

[@slundgr]

The slide step is effective if there is a catcher that can throw runners out, and I would not want to sacrifice time to the plate for a less than quality pitch. The guy at the plate is the one with the weapon. If the pitcher walks the hitter or grooves a pitch because he is focusing on trying to be quick to the plate instead of making a quality pitch, the runner(s) will advance anyway. In youth baseball, how many times does a team have a catcher that can make a quick, strong and accurate throw to second or third? From what I've seen of youth baseball, coaches should spend more time working with catchers on proper mechanics receiving the baseball, footwork, throwing to the bases and developing arm strength.

[@dcowboys107]

Coach, should we always pitch from the stretch using the slide step or is there a time to use the leg lift at “cereal bowl height” like you demonstrate in your basic pitching mechanics video? I’m trying to figure out if I should pitch with just the slide step or with two sets of mechanics when in the stretch. Thanks!

[@DanBlewett]

there are times and situations for both

[@richmckay6600]

Thanks for your videos, but I was typed and to teach kids - lift and drift. Your thought on that ? Thanks

[@DanBlewett]

my thoughts are what i teach in the video are what i believe in

[@bradbrowder7]

Who is #63 from the Orioles you showed in the video. I’ve got a freshman who is wanting to keep his hands low but needs to work on his slide step

[@DanBlewett]

i dont know

[@gcbros6482]

How fast can you throw?

[@DanBlewett]

94

[@joecap1]

How do you feel about a youth pitcher that has ZERO threat of runners stealing while delivering the ball to the plate…..using a slide step exclusively? 10 year olds play in a way where the runner can’t steal until the ball crosses the plate…. I can understand that a kid doesn’t want to throw from the windup….or better said, dad doesn’t want them to because the child said he was confused and it was too complicated…which is of course valid since that is what he feels. This kiddo is lifting his leg a minimal amount….slide step. Great for holding runners on….but a non issue for another bunch of years. Rather than providing no help or forcing him to use a windup…I want to compromise but while explaining the benefit from practicing from the stretch with leg cereal bowl height or higher…as there is absolutely no reason to rush to the plate. Initially, I taught a small group of pitchers the windup. Many are doing great with the windup of course. This boy has pitched for his club team…without any pitching guidance and has settled in to slide step. What to do next for the child’s long term development and enjoyment as a pitcher? Also, what would you say the downside is in terms of fatigue and stamina relative to reaching pitch 80+ in a game while only using slide step vs windup or stretch with higher knee lift (cereal bowl or higher)… Every time I see him slide step with nobody on or with runners on that literally can’t steal, it rubs my brain in a way that has me thinking about what to do next….thankfully we have you Dan. Thank you. Just ordered two of your books and a shirt. Happy we can do things to support your business as we greatly appreciate your insight and effort.

[@DanBlewett]

its flatly difficult to pitch from the slide step. You don't load your back side nearly as easily, and most youth pitchers struggle signiicantly with it - their weight leaks forward to soon, and they fall apart much more quickly because of how hard it is to keep their weight back and properly loaded before each pitch. it leaves little margin for error and fatigue, even for pro guys, can quickly affect command from the slide step. Pitching wind ups are so simple now, it blows my mind that kids and parents find them to be too difficult and complicated, and to me (as I explained in a video about this) really just signals that pitching won't be a good fit for them. If you cant succeed doing anything but the absolute simplest version of the basic action, it's a terrible indicator of what's to come. Resilience is key. Normal to be a little better from one of the windup or stretch - I was better from the wind up as a kid then worse at it as a pro - but that difference was small. Kids need to practice in varied ways to build resilience.

[@joecap1]

@@DanBlewett thanks Dan. Off we go. On it. Will report back on this little ballplayer. He has a bright future. Will show him the way of the pitcher. Haha. Keep it up. Thank you.

[@heathertiller3644]

He didn’t even show a pickoff move out of it. 🙄🙄🙄

[@DanBlewett]

...this isnt a video about pick off moves

[@heathertiller3644]

@@DanBlewett I understand that but since a slide step is designed to help keep base runners close, I just mistakenly figured u would demonstrate a pickoff move, using said slide step. But my bad!

[@DanBlewett]

just be a little nicer next time in your comments. I have multiple pick off videos. Here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYi3mZdurJyoerc