The Pitching "See"-quence (Part 2 of 3)

This is part 2 of our 3-article series where we're still talking about a pitcher's eyes...

Is it OK for pitchers to look away from their target during their delivery? You bet! I did it, and most pro pitchers do it as a way to break the monotony of staring at the same target, which can -- for prolonged periods -- actually make it more difficult to locate a pitch.

But, we all do it EARLY in our deliveries. Let me explain...

When you will start your delivery, your eyes should be on your target. That way, as you know, you can get your sign from the catcher.

Then, when you take your soft, rocker step backward and pivot on your power-post leg, you can look away. And like I just mentioned: I did it andmost pro pitcher's look away during this part of the pitching delivery.

When pitchers do in fact look away, it's usually down at their feet to make sure their body is centered over their body and to make sure their pivot foot is in place securely in front of the pitching rubber.

Then, when you lift your balance leg, the eyes should come up, too.

Leg Up, Eyes Up

When the front knee (the one lifted into the balance position) is lifted into its highest point, the eyes should be fixed back on the target – otherwise, your entire body is moving forward "blindly." And because the sequence of events that happens immediately after the pitcher passes through the balance position and into his stride, it’s often too late to really get those eyes affixed back on the target.

As a result, most pitchers who do not get their eyes back on target by the time the leg is lifted into the balance position, often don’t see the target. And if you don’t see it, it’s tougher to throw to as I mentioned in the first article of this three-article series. (See my post three days ago!)

In three days, I'm going to wrap-up this three-article series with Part 3 of 3 in which I'll reveal some powerful pitching tips on how the eyes can actually effect how hard a pitcher can throw. Don't miss it...

Yours in baseball,

Steven Ellis
The Complete Pitcher™
www.thecompletepitcher.com