Picture 1

The hands are the ultimate guide for distance control when pitching. Imagine that at address your hands are located at 6:00 on the face of a clock (Picture #2). For a standard pitch of 60 yards, my hands will move to 9:00 on the clock in the backswing (Picture #3). Also, please notice in Picture #3 that my left wrist is fully cocked at  9:00.

Picture 3

Picture 2

For all pitches this month, no matter whether the hands go to 8:00, 9:00, or 10:00 in the backswing, you need to set, load, and cock the left wrist fully. How far your hands travel in the backswing, from 8:00, 9:00, or 10:00, is your means for controlling distance. The finish of the swing is slightly less than full--about 3/4 finish--since this is not a full shot and only a pitch.

Your means for controlling trajectory is three fold: ball position, handle location, and weight distribution. All three of these elements are determined in your address position, so it is time for you to experiment. Here is a general rule of thumb; with the ball back, handle forward, and weight forward at address, the pitch will fly lower. Therefore, with the ball forward, handle back and weight back at address the ball will fly higher. Try these different address postitions to determine trajectory and keep your mind on your hands for distance control.