{"id":3041,"date":"2016-07-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webinology.website\/nation2021\/pitching-backwards\/"},"modified":"2021-11-03T13:04:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T17:04:16","slug":"pitching-backwards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachup.com\/nation\/articles\/pitching-backwards","title":{"rendered":"Pitching Backwards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pitching Backwards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although it admittedly sounds weird, pitching backwards is a rather common strategy for upsetting the timing of batters. Generally, and particularly at the lower levels of baseball, pitchers throw their fastball the majority of their time on the mound. Either they\u2019re too young to throw the more difficult, strenuous pitches, or they have no confidence in their other abilities, so they\u2019re forced to throw fastball after fastball. And even if you\u2019ve got good velocity or control, batters will ultimately catch-up and learn to time their swings more appropriately.<\/p>\n

In fact, having a good fastball almost guarantees nothing as you get older and an advanced control of the other pitches in your arsenal becomes more and more important. Keeping batters off-balance and guessing is much more important than just trying to blow one by the hitter. Pitching backwards is when a pitcher uses their secondary offerings rather than their fastball early on in the count. Traditionally, hitters expect fastballs early in the count and off-speed pitches late in the count, so reverse it on them! Take these CoachUp certified tips with you the next time you\u2019re looking to switch it up on the mound.<\/p>\n

\"Tanaka<\/p>\n

Jack Of All Trades
<\/strong>Even hard throwers that throw major heat at hitters will need to offer pitches with speed differentials. Consecutive pitches of similar speeds are easier for hitters to time correctly. The same logic holds true for off-speed pitches \u2013 the more they see consecutively, the better they\u2019ll react next time. A good rule of thumb for proper speed differences between pitches is 7 to 10 mph. Any speed under that is close enough to the previous pitch and easier to time.<\/p>\n

Examples of good sequences include:<\/strong> <\/p>\n