PitchingAdvanced

Advanced Pitch Sequencing Drill

Sequencing pitches to set up a hitter — rather than just throwing the best pitch in isolation — is what separates advanced pitchers who can navigate a lineup multiple times.

Age RangeAges 14+
Duration15 minutes
Group SizePitcher + catcher
SportBaseball

Equipment Needed

  • Balls
  • Catcher's gear

Keep your catcher protected

A full catcher's gear set keeps the backstop safe through a long pitch-sequencing bullpen session.

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Setup

  • A pitcher and catcher work together in a bullpen or mound setting.
  • Assign a simulated hitter profile (e.g. "aggressive first-pitch swinger") for each sequence.
Advanced Pitch Sequencing DrillPCcalls sequence3–4 pitch sequence, each one setting up the next

Instructions

  1. Catcher calls a full sequence of 3–4 pitches designed to set up a specific outcome, not just pitch-by-pitch in isolation.
  2. Pitcher executes each pitch in the sequence, discussing the purpose of each one with the catcher.
  3. After the sequence, review whether the location and pitch selection actually built toward the intended result.
  4. Repeat with different simulated hitter tendencies and counts.
Coaching Points
  • Every pitch in a sequence should set up the next one — establishing a fastball location early can make an off-speed pitch later look even better.
  • Location matters as much as pitch type; the same pitch in a different spot serves a completely different purpose in a sequence.
  • Encourage the catcher to think like a chess player here, not just call whatever pitch the pitcher likes best.
  • This is a mental skill as much as a physical one — talk through the reasoning, don't just execute silently.

Variation

Add a live hitter for real feedback on how the sequence plays, or script specific counts (0-2, 3-1) to sequence around realistically.