Beginners Pitching Drill (T Drill)

By: Neil Malm

Optional: Start by chalking two lines parallel to each other, approximately 40-50 feet long. The distance between lines should be the distance your kids will be pitching that year. Next, on each line, at 10-foot intervals, chalk perpendicular lines approximately three to four feet out, facing the other parallel line. See figure 1.

Have half the kids line up on the chalk line between first and home plate (or drag a line yourself).

Take the rest of the kids out and drag a second line parallel to the first line, at whatever distance your kids are pitching at, that year.

Make sure there is plenty of room between the players on each line so they don't get hit by wild pitches.

Each of the kids, on the opposing lines, will then drag a line straight out (making a T), three or four feet toward the player that he is paired with on the other line.

Every kid on the first-base line will have a ball. The line between First and Home becomes the rubber at which they drew the T. The kids on the other line will act as catchers.

You then call out each kid's number to throw the ball–1, 2, 3, etc. Correct each kid's throwing motion after he throws. When you reach the end of the line, you just start over, with the line that has the balls as Pitchers and the other line as Catchers.

The line they marked allows you and the kid to see that his front foot comes down on the line. This means his body motion is straight toward home plate and helps stop the side-to-side erratic throwing motion kids get when they step to the side of the line.

The line also gives you a physical mark that helps you and the kids to see what is wrong with their mechanics. It gives you a mark to have the kids make the big step with the front foot. You can walk out and point to where you want them to step, to make them follow through. I have found, by adjusting the step forward or back, you can help the kids adjust their throws higher or lower, too. Just have them throw at a consistent speed and rhythm, and adjust their step forward or backward.