The Complete Guide to Pitching

by Derek Johnson, David Price (Foreword)

There is more to becoming a great pitcher than sound mechanics, a blazing fastball, and a live arm. A pitcher must know how to pitch—what to throw, when to throw it, and where to locate it. He must have a me-versus-you mind-set, that unique blend of confidence and determination that fuels a passion to set the tone of the game, own the mound, and shut down the opponent. The Complete Guide to Pitching is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game’s premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You’ll discover these • Upper- and lower-body pitching mechanics • Most effective arm and shoulder strengthening workouts • Shutting down the opponent’s running game • Developing a potent pitching arsenal, including the splitter, curve, and changeup • Creating a pregame pitching plan • Situational strategies and recognizing hitters’ weaknesses • Fielding the position • In- and off-season conditioning programs • Windup, stretch, and follow-through From pregame warm-ups to cultivating the pitcher–catcher relationship, it’s all here in this one-of-a-kind book and DVD package. Featuring skill instruction, development drills, exercises, personal insights, and instruction on every aspect of pitching, The Complete Guide to Pitching is a must-have for every pitching coach, pitcher, and baseball fan.

Genres: Baseball, Sports

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2012

Reviews

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive been trying to learn how to pitch for a long time
this book is the only way I learned.
I've read four books that was supposed to teach me how to
this is the only one that had taught me.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't really completed this, but not because I don't want to. Been a lover of baseball since the forties in Chicago, and can lay legitimate claim to being a Cubs fan, as Wrigley Stadium was just a short elevated ride from home. I mostly watched the games on TV, though.

I never had any serious expectations of being able to play myself, even though I practiced throwing a tennis ball against the front porch steps for hours at a time during the summers. I couldn't even make the C teams in Little League. But I'm interested particularly in the technique of throwing certain pitches and being able to recognize them. Even more, I'm interested in understanding the strategy of pitchers, knowing that such-and-such a situation calls for a low, outside breaking ball rather than a high inside fastball for instance. This book explains that.

The problem is, we recently changed our TV service when DirecTV raised its price on the package we have. We don't watch much TV to begin with. So my wife just decided to cut the program and take the next cheaper package. (She handles the finances.) The result is we no longer get the channel that most regularly shows local ball games, so now all I get is an occasional weekend game, which is infuriating and hugely disappointing, but that's how it is for now, at least probably for this season. Therefore I have less motivation to read the book. So what I'm going to do is leave it by my chair in the family room and will pick away at it periodically for the rest of this season with games in the background. I don't have any need to know all the techniques for winding up and starting positions, and all the exercises the pros need to improve strength and flexibility, much of which I've already read. Just pitches and strategy. I may even watch the DVD that comes with the book.

It does appear to be a very good and thorough for anyone who's looking for authentic training advice, including the technical stuff.

[Graeme Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good enough to make a 40+ year old man believe he can still throw the curve.

[Bluoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good how-to by one of the best minds out there. Now only if mr strom would put his thoughts on paper,,,

[Jim Serger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole key to this pitching masterpiece is the word "FUN". --the highlight of this improvement book was the accountability it holds the pitcher too--calm down, mechanics, breathe, motion, mental and physical toughness and so on. The art of pitching as the author describes is getting better and better with proven stretches, weight training and the understanding of how to hold the ball correctly. Knowledge is a must in the wold today, we must continually maintain a thirst for knowledge and this book is a clear, proven example as too how to improve the pitcher. 5 stars for moms, dads, athletes and of course coaches and the athletic director.

[Orlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome read for pitching Coaches on the college level. I have used these drills and concepts with my staff with great reviews. Most have book.