How to Throw Harder - Pitching Tips from a Former Boston Red Sox

3-Time World Series Champion and Coach Joe Girardi says, "This book expertly guides the reader through the basics of coaching youth baseball. Its impact goes far beyond the game's clinical and technical requirements: it teaches adults how to be human toward children."

Join Coach Matty Maher and Former Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twin FRANK RODRIGUEZ as he discusses basic lower half pitching mechanics. This video focuses on the lower half of the body and will give you some key tips on getting the MOST out of your pitches.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Frank Rodriguez out of high school with their 2nd round pick in the 1990 amateur draft, but he elected to go to junior college in 1991. Rodriguez led the JUCO ranks in home runs (26) and pitching strikeouts (139), and was named MVP of the Junior College World Series, when Howard College beat Manatee Community College in the title game.

In 1995, Rodriguez got the call up to the majors, and spent eight years playing pro ball with the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and the Cincinnati Reds.

[ProSwingNY]

Hey Ace, in terms of velocity, start by watching our "Top Gun Throwing Series." This is a throwing progression that works on mechanics and arm strength. That's a great foundation. From there, continue to long toss in the off-season. As far as your stride, you should always be striding out and exploding off your backside. Believe it or not, your lower half will dictate the power and velocity of your throw. Any more questions, please ask!

-Coach Matty

[marcosg]

I always wondered what happened to Frank Rodriguez. Helluva breaking ball and slider back in college. I remember watching my VHS recording of that championship game over and over as a teen. 

[shubhamrathod]

Thanks....this video will help me in bowling fast

[ProSwingNY]

Matt, I was very impressed with your video. Good size, great lower half explosion, and solid stuff. (Great change-up) Increasing the length of your stride JUST a little bit may help you get a little more velocity and power. Make sure you're not "pulling off" and falling off the to the left side too much. We have something called the ProSwing Instruction Expo in Dec. About 20 Division I coaches come to our facility to scout players. Message me for more info. I think you'd thrive there.

[reeseweber]

this account really helps me play better thanks!!

[THEMADFAN]

this helped me so much in my pitching.

[simplyg]

Watch my video on "hinging". Hinging your drive leg is how you end up leveraging it for hard rotation. Max velocity means max effort.

[Justabigdawg]

My son's coach today said don't push off the rubber. I've been coaching for years and I know there's different terminology sometimes, but he stressed no pushing. He also wants the kids to bend at the knees while in the windup, I think they're wasting power and they should be trying to pitch tall and not shrink yourself. I've always have had great success at developing pitchers for the season by keeping it basic and the "push' helps them swing the hips.

[thegamingslimehd]

I usually dont do this what i do before games and practices we pitch to each other on the practice mound and then in games when u stride out longer in a game off the mound if someones gonna steal home then ur closer to the home plate to run in and then catcher soft tosses u the ball and u tag the runner

[dannytoons]

thank you so much for these tips! i put almost 10 MPH on my fastball and my arm dosent have stress at all when i release the ball!

[marcosg]

Dude was a STUD at Howard JC. Sean Teague was his catcher. He was a stud too at my old HS, about 5 years before my time. I don't necessarily agree with everything he is teaching. I DO like how he emphasizes minimizing movement waste off your POWER LINE, and through the catcher. And I do appreciate keeping STABLE with that "athletic position". My coaching and student experience is 5 plus years with Coach John Gilbert in San Antonio. Considered an old school GURU with everything pertaining to Baseball Mechanics (both Offense and Defense). He improved my arm strength and velocity in two years of coaching. It is a journey after all. Stride length is not paramount here. Control fall and control stride however is. This is post loading and pre-unloading or KICK phase of pitching. Pitchers must create momentum as if they are walking a tight rope. Another great point he makes is the synchronization with the top half. That is important on your UNLOAD TILT and KICK to release point. Basically, your arm can go wherever behind or around your body, UNTIL you are at the point of UNLOADING your weight and momentum towards the KICK point. But why would you want to create wasted arm motion??

The KICK point is where your MOTOR turns on and you STOP your momentum along the POWER LINE, then you KICK your backside over and through your front side. POWER SIDE knocking out the CONTROL SIDE. When that BACK LOADED SIDE or POWER SIDE knocks out the CONTROL or Front Shoulder side, then that is where MAXIMUM VELOCITY takes place into your release. Then it becomes TERMINAL VELOCITY. So if young pitchers start thinking that pitching happens in a box between both shoulders and between the back heel and front knee, then they will start mastering velocity and pitch control. If young pitchers always pitch or throw with two feet on the ground, then they are years ahead of the curve. (No pun intended)

A great drill I use for teaching is to have a student toss his glove aside, and then pick up a 5lb dumbbell. Then I have them pitch 4 seams while controlling that dumbbell. Before you know it, they are starting to REALIZE and feel what parts of your body do what while controlling your fall along the POWER LINE, with a natural mound tilt. It made a world of difference for me. I wouldn't be surprised if Major Leaguers pack their glove with some weight just to create more inertia force. 

[nataliacutie]

@ProSwingNY I'm a beginner and I would really appreciate some tip on throwing and hitting the ball. My friends say i'm throwing really bad because my form is off and i often miss when trying to hit the ball and i would really like to get better. I would really appreciate any help or tips. Thank you.

[Acekiller]

@ProSwingNY thanks but i am doing the top gun and i havent seen much results for a the two months ive been doing it

[KevinReid]

Is the best way to stride further is to focus on keeping your heal down longer?

[Acekiller]

Hey Marty can you help me I gotten better at control but I would like to get a longer stride how can I do that? And also I want to know how to gain velocity because I started playing at age 14 and now I'm 16 but I am only throwing like 62 I would appreciate any help.

[kga]

I Can Do It Now Thank You For Your Help

[shanewhitefeather]

It's like a song lyric from the 70's ... Push, push, in the bush

[alofomemusic]

@ProSwingNY i am in Domincan Republic and I have been interested much for videos teach very well, I'm left handed pitcher and would like to gain some speed would send a video to see what I'm doing wrong because this year I want to sign a professional contract I have 17 years thank you very much for your attention and keep it up with the videos :D

[陳柏安-qk]

Tom seaver, nolay ryan, roy oswalt, are 3 best pitchers for the past 50 years with good at least 100% stride distance of their height, and yes i totally agree with Michael Stokes mentioning about nolan ryan stride distance.... in terms of lower body, as long as u stride 100% of your height ( i believe most people can do, and in fact at least 30% of MLB pitchers didnot even achieve 100% of their height for stride distance) and good balance after your release your pitch, is good enough

[SNOOPDOGG]

how do you know if you messed up your arm from throwing curveballs?