Master the Art of Pitching with Derek Johnson's Comprehensive Guide

le bleuet: tres bien

Canada on Oct 14, 2018

Len: Book was damaged

Canada on Jan 12, 2018

mac_rmm: So far this is extremely informative and I think it is better overall than the Tom House books. I have bought most of the House books and while I've picked up some good drills to use with my ten year old son and other players I coach, House is a little too complicated with his verbiage in my opinion. Not to say he isn't excellent, but he is just a little "wordy".

This book is very detailed and can still be complicated in its verbiage, but only because pitching is a complicated endeavor. I have not gotten into the DVD but I think it will be a great resource to show the information discussed. With my son being relatively young, I will likely only focus on the first main section of the book for now (which is about basic setup, upper body, and lower body), but I know that the other sections will be a great resource as my son gets older. I have already picked up a few tips that I did not know like back heel sweeping and how it can affect the stride direction of the pitcher.

I would recommend the book wholeheartedly.

United States on Sep 19, 2016

Chad: Best pitching book and CD I have found. The author is very detailed and complete in his descriptions of all phases of the delivery (both physical and mental) and offers really helpful drills to reinforce technique. Although the CD is pretty short and simple it does a nice job of helping the reader visualize the proper pitching technique and how to execute the drills. My 15-year old son has already learned several really great foundational things to correct issues in his delivery. My older son who is no in college will benefit from the very detailed conditioning program and in-season workout routines. As a former littler league coach, I wish I had found this book 10 years ago, I can't put it down! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain a complete understanding of the fundamentals of pitching.

United States on Jul 30, 2016

Bradley C. Showalter: The depth of pitching instruction that Mr. Johnson presents in unparalleled in other pitching books I've read. As a youth baseball coach, I was looking for a "how-to" mechanical book for pitching. What I discovered was a comprehensive book that included more than just the physical mechanics of throwing a baseball. The author included the mental approach to being a successful pitcher and dedicated many pages to the physical conditioning of pitchers both in-season and during the off-season. To be frank, as a coach of 7 and 8 year old boys who have the coach come out and pitch when the batter gets 4 balls, I will only directly use maybe 10% of this book this season. However, that 10% is SOLID GOLD. Mr. Johnson included all the minute details of pitching that I would overlook like where to stand on the rubber, the most effective grips to throw each pitch, and how to teach the mental processes of pitching (as opposed to having kids throw as hard as they can for each pitch). I view the other 90% of the book as the bonus material that will serve me well in my coaching career for many years to come as my boys grow older. Make no mistake that the operative word in this book's title is...

United States on Feb 11, 2016

GooRoo: I almost never give 5 stars and this book came close. Anyone can use this book as the framework for their pitching program. I have never read Wolforth’s, Nyman’s, or House’s material, nor have seen their DVD’s, but Johnson talks about these three along with Brett Strom in this book, I would blend their current stuff with what is in this book. I have seen Strom lecture at a clinic, I absorbed everything he had to say.

This book is the best for “scope” when it comes to what actually matters in pitching. Part II the Art of Pitching has good “depth”, covering, Developing an Arsenal; how to use the strike zone, and how to throw different pitches; The Role of the Catcher, the pitcher/catcher relationship; Pitching with a Plan, how to pressure the strike zone and attack hitters; Fielding the position, basic pitcher defensive plays; The Mental Game, the me vs you, and me vs me battles.

Part III is probably the most useful part of the book. Derek Johnson basically gives you his college year round throwing program, and if you are not a moron can tailor it to what you are doing. Part III includes Arm Strength and Injury Prevention, Total-Body Conditioning for...

United States on Feb 05, 2014

Kyle Boddy: ...this book is a great resource that all athletes, coaches, and parents should own. At the price point there's just no chance you're going to find a better product out there from a more credible author - for those unaware, Derek Johnson is not only a highly-acclaimed pitching coach from Vanderbilt (and now the Cubs at the time of this review's writing), but a real student of the game who has sought out advanced and cutting-edge techniques from "unorthodox" coaches like Ron Wolforth, Paul Nyman, Brent Strom, and Perry Husband.

Most books of this length and depth cost well over $100 (and in many cases is totally worth it). And while this book isn't THAT detailed, it's an excellent start before you go buying something more expensive. It's a great introduction and base knowledge builder for a different look at how to train pitchers and be effective on the mound.

I highly recommend picking up a copy for your library. It's equally great as the first book you read on pitching or the one hundredth book you read on the subject.

United States on Aug 02, 2013

ローテクオジン: ピッチングの仕方が、PCのキンドル等で動画で見ることができます。こうした編集をされた電子ブックを読むのは初めてで、印象づけられました。

Japan on Jun 08, 2013