3 Things I Watch When Evaluating a Pitcher's Mechanics

If you sat next to me during a softball game, you might be surprised by some of the things I'm watching.

I'm not just paying attention to strikes and balls.

I'm watching how a pitcher moves.

How she creates power.

How efficiently she transfers energy toward the plate.

And while there are many pieces that make up good pitching mechanics, there are three things I find myself watching over and over again because they influence so many other parts of a pitcher's performance.

1. Powerline

One of the first things I look at is a pitcher's powerline.

A powerline is an imaginary line that starts in the middle of the pitching rubber and runs through whatever target the pitcher is throwing to on that pitch.

Ideally, everything should move up that line.

The arm drive should move up the powerline.

The stride foot toes should land on the powerline.

The backside drive, especially the drag leg knee, should move up the powerline.

After release, the pitching arm and hand should continue moving toward the target along that same line.

Why does this matter?

Because power and command become much easier when the body is moving in one direction.

When pitchers consistently move up their powerline, they are able to transfer energy more efficiently and throw with better command.

When they repeatedly move across the line or away from it, they lose power, consistency, and command.

2. Balance

The next thing I watch is balance.

When something isn't efficient in a pitcher's foundation, it shows up here.

Maybe she's getting stuck on her backside.

Maybe her glove arm is pulling off to the side.

Maybe her posture is compromised.

Maybe she's missing her powerline.

The specific issue can vary, but the result is the same: energy leaks.

A pitcher who moves with good balance is able to transfer energy more efficiently through the ball.

A pitcher who struggles with balance is working harder than she needs to for the same result.

That's why balance is one of the quickest ways to identify whether a pitcher is moving efficiently.

3. Finish

A pitcher's finish can tell us a lot about everything that happened before release.

I want to see a strong stride leg that continues supporting the body through release. A strong front side helps transfer whip and energy through the ball.

I want to see the pitching arm and hand continue moving toward the spin and target after release.

I want to see the drag leg knee continue moving forward through release rather than stopping behind the body.

At release, an efficient pitcher will appear "stacked."

The throwing shoulder over the back hip.

The back hip over the back knee.

If you drew a line through those three points, they would be stacked on top of one another.

When a pitcher consistently arrives in these positions, it's a sign that many of the pieces before release are working together efficiently.

Looking Beyond the Result

The next time you watch your pitcher compete, challenge yourself to look beyond whether the pitch was a strike or a ball.

Instead, watch her powerline.

Watch her balance.

Watch her finish.

Those three things can tell you a lot about what's happening mechanically and where she may need additional work.

Because every pitcher wants more speed.

Better command.

More consistency.

The question is how she gets there.

Many times, the answer can be found by paying attention to the little things that happen with her basic mechanics.

If you'd like a second set of eyes on your pitcher's mechanics, I offer a FREE side-by-side video analysis that compares your pitcher to a model pitcher and helps identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

👉 Click HERE to learn more and submit a video.

All My Best,

Myndie

P.S. Have you registered for a Summer Training Event yet? Spots are limited—and I’d sure love to see your pitcher there!