How to Throw a Faster Fastball

While it is important for every pitcher to have a variety of pitches in their arsenal to leave batters off balance, a reliable fastball is the anchor pitch for many pitching greats. Adding extra pace on your fastball, provided you maintain accuracy, cuts down on the time a batter has to make a decision and react to the pitch. Extra speed also creates a greater disparity between the fastball and your off-speed pitches, making the off-speeds extra challenging.

Instructions

  1. Pitch Speed Technique

    • 1

      Stand with both feet and your body facing the catcher.

    • 2

      Pivot your body around the foot that matches your throwing arm until you are facing the corner base in the direction of your throwing arm. For instance, if you're a left-hander, pivot around the left foot and face first base. If you're a righty, pivot around the right and face third. While you should check the runner's position for signs of a steal, return your eyes to home plate before starting your move to home.

    • 3

      Bring both hands back toward your throwing shoulder while lifting your nonthrowing leg up so the knee rises above your waist.

    • 4

      Cock your hand back, so the back of your hand is parallel with the ground.

    • 5

      Bring your lifted leg forward as you raise your throwing arm up so your hand is higher than your head.

    • 6

      Drive your weight forward as your come down on your nondominant leg and your arm comes forward.

    • 7

      Snap your lower arm down and your wrist through the ball as you release straight at the plate.

    Weighted Ball Training

    • 8

      Select a ball that matches your age in this exercise designed by pitching coach and author Dr. John Bagonzi. Weighted balls are usually color-coded. A red ball is for players age 9 to 12, green for players 13 to 14, blue for ages 15 to 16, yellow for ages 17 to 18, and black for adults.

    • 9

      Hold your throwing elbow in your glove, with the forearm of your throwing arm pointed straight up and holding the ball.

    • 10

      Toss to a catcher 15 feet away for little leaguers or 30 feet for older players, alternating between a full power toss and a relaxed toss, and changing between a weighted ball and regular ball every 10 repetitions.

    • 11

      Move the catcher farther away. Practice tosses to a catcher 30 feet away for little leaguers, or 50 feet away for older players, starting from the cocked position with your lead leg forward and the ball above your head.

    • 12

      Alternate between full- and relaxed-speed pitches, performing 15 pitches with a weighted ball, 10 unweighted, then 10 weighted and 10 unweighted.