Pitching Lessons

I'm sure he will post another observation, but he addressed this before, so I will post it here: Check the date when this was posted: 2003

This is a great topic! I really enjoy these topics concerning the mental game.

Anyways...I believe that there are many reasons why some pitchers are able to stay composed on the mound, while others are not. Here are some that come to mind at the moment:

1. The environment that a player grows up playing in. It (in my opinion) begins with the parents. A pitcher who has always been pushed by his father more than he pushes himself feels that he must "pitch well or else his father will rip on him after the game". Coaches play a HUGE role in a pitcher's mental development. A pitcher must be taught how to stay composed and why he must stay composed, because for many it does not come naturally.

2. Confidence. This is probably the biggest one. If you ever talk to a Big League pitcher or a former Big League pitcher, take note of how they carry themselves. They have an aura about them that is very much self-confident, but not cocky. I have always been amazed at how those guys have that same characteristic. And why (in my opinion) is this so important? Because like I am sure that I have written in a previous post, this is a game of failure. Pitchers are going to have bad outings, they are going to heel the rubber somedays when that "heat" or that "bite" just is not there. It is the pitchers who have put in the preparation and have CONFIDENCE that you will see out there with the composure. The guys who are insecure of their abilities will "lose it" when the goin' gets tough. It is merely a cover of their insecurity. On that same note, the pitchers with self-confidence "pick up " their teammates after an error is committed and let them know that together they are going to get through it and compete until the final out.

3. Maturity. One day a pitcher will wake up and realize that he can no longer "blow up" at a missed strike 3 call, or an error and realize that you have to just tip your hat to a hitter occasionally and get the next hitter. I remember when I was about 13 when I had a stage where I was always right and the umpire always screwed me over and because I was a "big teenager" now, I was going to show him up. I learned one day though that I was just a little kid in the umpire's eyes (and still am) and that by attempting to show up a 50 year-old umpire, only made things MUCH more difficult on myself and my TEAM. The game is hard enough as it is, a pitcher cannot afford to have the umpire against him.

That is about all that I have right now...plus I gotta get on the chat room and see what is goin' on in there. I hope that this helps some Braves.

 

Dealing with Pressure...

Thanks for picking me up in my absence Braves. Sorry for the delayed response everyone:

"What advice can you give high school pitchers about feeling pressure & dealing with pressure on the mound?"

Trust the work you've put in. Like anything else, whether it is a math test, or a job interview, if you are prepared you are more likely to succeed. Especially with pitching. Statistically, the numbers are in your favor. Never forget that. When youre feeling some pressure and are trying to be too fine with pitches, take a deep breath, and pitch to contact.

Greg Maddux said it best when he said, "There are going to be days that it doesnt matter what or where you throw it, youre going to deal. All the other days, you got to keep it at the knees." It amazed me to hear a guy with 5,000 innings and a career 3.11 ERA break it down into such simple terms, but in fact, he is right.

"What techniques or thoughts do you have that helped you when the pressure was building. Specifically, how would you deal with pressure before a big game leading up to the first few pitches?"

Before I would pitch in big high school or college games, I would pick one of two approaches. There are games and teams that you can face where you can be a bulldog and challenge them every pitch. And then there are games and teams that you face (usually more experienced teams) that require slowing down the game. When I say slow the game down, I mean to treat the game as though you're facing a fastball from Daniel Bard at 100 mph. The best approach to hitting Bard's fast ball is relaxing and adjusting the timing of your swing. The worst thing you can do is muscle up and swing harder. Just because you are pitching in a big game, doesnt meant that you have to pitch better or try to do things you are uncapable of doing. You simply have to lock in every pitch and execute.

"Secondly, how would you deal with pressure during an opponents rally or that situation when strikes were hard to come by and the pressure to find the plate while still throwing quality pitches was building?"

Control what you can control. This is a tough game and requires you to constantly adjust and dig deep. There are gonna be times when you dont get the calls or the plays made behind you. Or maybe times when you are making your pitches and they are just getting hit. When these things occur, stay positive. I like to physically coach myself out loud by saying things like "I got this", "Watch this", "Come on", "Go get this guy", etc. For some reason, I believe that in times of adversity, you can wake up your mind or trick your mind into believing that you have the upper-hand through what us Communications majors call "self-talk".

My catcher in Lake Elsinore this past season, Mitch Canham (Oregon State), made fun of me after almost every appearance because he could hear me from behind the plate when I would be saying some of those things out loud. On top of that, your opponents can tell when you are swinging back and when you have conceded. Maintain a level of fight and aggressiveness through the other teams' rally and they will see that they are still going to be getting your best vs. laying down.

--Im always glad to share my experiences on here, feel free to ask any other questions you guys have and Ill try to give my 2 cents. I really appreciate all of the PMs and positive responses I have received from this board. You guys are the best.

-Woody

 

I have a son that might be a canidate for lessons from you. I can be contacted at 305-987-9903, we live in Durham

 

I would love for my son to receive pitching lessons from you. What are your fees? When are you availible?

 

Guys- just PM him. He will discuss any specifics in regards to instructions

 

Woody posted this over on Inside Carolina too - that thread is a great read. Woody telling minor league adventures and his dad with a great post about how he managed (or better yet watched Woody manage) his baseball career through high school, travel ball and recruiting. Lots of good stuff.

I tell you what - just reading Robert's posts you get the feeling a young pitcher would benefit just from his attitude and work ethic and life experience - not to mention picking up a few pitching tips.

 

Can you provide a link?

 

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=78&f=1412&t=3062677

 

Thanks Woody

Robert Woodard came over to Winterville recently and worked with some pitchers in a group lesson. The guys really enjoyed working with "Woody" and we hope to have him back again before too long. He brings a great perspective and relates well to the guys. I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone or any group.

 

You guys have some talented arms on that staff. I really enjoyed making the trip, let me know if there is ever anything else I can do for you guys.

Woody