Alright… enough is enough!
I usually avoid tearing down other coaches or websites to prove my own philosophy. But lately, the world of pitching instruction has turned into the Wild West—full of bold claims, gimmicks, and flat-out misinformation.
The debate of “velocity vs. location” has gotten completely out of hand. And as a consumer, you need to look at these programs the same way you watch a political debate: everybody’s talking, but not everyone is making sense.
If you haven’t seen the nonsense I’m talking about, here’s a look at some of the biggest claims out there—and why you should be skeptical.
The “Secret to Throwing 100 MPH”
One website claims they’ve discovered the secret to throwing 100 MPH. Really?
There are maybe 25 pitchers on the planet who can consistently throw 100. If there were a “secret,” don’t you think everyone would be doing it?
The truth is less glamorous: genetics and geography play a bigger role than any secret program. If you’re 6’4” with athletic parents, and you grow up in Texas, California, or Florida where you can throw year-round, your odds go way up. That’s not a secret—it’s reality.
To make it worse, this same site recently released a “study” claiming that arm speed isn’t a factor in velocity. Come on. That’s just trying to be different for the sake of attention.
The “Throw Hard at All Costs” Approach
Another program pushes aggression above everything else: throw as hard as you can, with no regard for control.
To be fair, I agree with part of this philosophy—aggression is key. Pitchers need to attack. But I’ve seen them praise pitchers who added velocity while ignoring the fact that their throws missed the target by 10 feet. One video showed a pitcher violently pulling off to his glove side, overthrowing with zero command.
I actually use PlyoCare balls, which this company promotes, but I modify the drills. Velocity matters, yes—but not at the expense of body control and repeatable mechanics.
The “Location Above All” School
Then there’s the old-school approach: location is everything. Coaches love this one because strikes equal outs, right?
Here’s the problem: velocity comes first. Scouts and executives don’t line up to draft high schoolers throwing 84 MPH “dotting both sides of the plate.” They want arms that light up the radar gun. Control and secondary pitches are refined in the minor leagues.
That doesn’t mean location isn’t important—it is. But it isn’t what gets you drafted. Velocity opens the door. Command keeps you in the game.
My Take
Here’s my philosophy, plain and simple: pitch the way you throw.
There is no magic secret. If you want to throw hard, then try to throw hard. Start with velocity, then add body control and repeatability, and finally, refine your ability to throw strikes.
Think about the most aggressive throw on the baseball field: an outfielder trying to gun down a runner at third or home. How do they do it? With a crow hop. Now, take that same upper-body action and apply it to the mound.
That’s the real formula. No gimmicks. No “secret sauce.” Just throwing the right way.