By Garrett Wolforth –
Pitching has many variables, and if you dig even deeper, there are countless styles and approaches. Not everything works for everyone, which is why it is important to understand which type of cueing works best and when each is most effective. Understanding this distinction can be the difference between a pitcher who performs well in practice but struggles in games and one who can translate their training to the mound when it counts.
When we think about cueing, it helps to separate it into two categories: internal and external. Each has its place, but if we don’t understand the goal of both, we risk misusing them when it matters most. The good news is that once you understand the difference, cueing becomes a powerful tool you can use intentionally rather than just reacting out of habit.
Internal cueing is what most people are familiar with because it is what we are taught from a young age.
“Get your arm up.”
“Lift your leg higher.”
“Turn your hips faster.”
These are things almost every athlete has heard at some point in their career. They are considered internal cues because they direct attention to parts of our own body that we can control. At The Ranch, we believe certain internal cues can be effective, but we place great emphasis on when they are used.
Internal cues work best during training and drill work, where the goal is to build awareness of your mechanics and reinforce proper movement patterns. For example, in a Torque Drill, we cue keeping the back foot on the ground and turning the pinky toe over. In a Drop-Into Drill, we emphasize feeling the weight through the heel and maintaining it throughout the movement. Slowing things down and paying close attention to the body is exactly what that environment calls for.
However, internal cues have a weakness: during competition, they can get us inside our own heads. If we focus too much on what our body is doing instead of where we are aiming, how the hitter looks, or what the situation calls for, we can lose the forest for the trees. The game moves fast, and overanalyzing the mechanics in real time can cause hesitation and breakdowns in movement patterns at the worst possible moments.
External cueing shifts the focus outside of ourselves—where we want the pitch to go, where we want to start a breaking ball, or how the hitter reacted to the last pitch. This tends to be much more effective in games because it keeps us locked into the process of getting hitters out rather than getting caught up in our own mechanics.
External cues are also easier to adjust in the moment. If you’re missing high with your curveball, simply lower your target. It can be that straightforward, rather than tinkering with grip or wrist position at release. Keeping adjustments simple during competition helps pitchers stay confident and decisive on the mound.
That said, external cueing has its drawbacks in training. If you’re focused exclusively on pitch location, you may lose awareness of grip, finger pressure, or whether you’re physically in the right position at release.
Our goal is not to convince you that one form of cueing is better than the other, but simply to raise awareness of which may serve you best in a given situation. Every pitcher is different, and part of the process is learning which specific cues resonate with you personally.
A good general rule to start with: focus internally during training and externally during competition.
It will take some trial and error to find which cues work best for you, but this framework should set you on the path to more effective training and less mental stress when you’re standing on the mound in a big moment.
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Important TBR Updates
- Make your plans now to join us this summer for an Elite Pitchers Bootcamp!
May 23-25 (Sat-Mon) – Spots Limited
June 19-21 (Fri-Sun)
July 3-5 (Fri-Sun)
July 31-August 2 (Fri-Sun)
September 5-7 (Sat-Mon)
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- Interested in our “Summer Intensive Development Program”? Join us for 2-11 weeks this summer. For more information on this one of a kind Summer Training experience and for a registration form visit https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/events/tbr-summer-program/.
- Would you like to participate in the Ranch Summer Program but can’t find 2+ weeks in your schedule? We have an option for you! Attend one of our 3-Day EPBC’s and add the summer program week after. It’s seven days of training and is a great option for those players with an extremely busy summer schedule. Give us a call and we can provide you with more details – (936) 588-6762.
- Now Available! Free Special Report by Coach Wolforth – “The Critical Importance of Micro-Trauma in Pitcher Development”. If you’d like a copy email info@texasbaseballranch.com
