Mechanics
3 Ways to Improve Your Command
November 6, 2026 · 3 min read · Jackson Hicks
One of the most common goals players have when they walk into the facility is to throw more strikes. And most of the time, they think the way to get there is by fixing their mechanics.
Sometimes that's part of it, and we always want to clean up mechanics where we can. But most of the time, that's not what's keeping you out of the zone.
So here are three approaches you can use to improve your command without overhauling your delivery.
1. Get on the Mound More
The simplest thing you can do is throw off the mound more. If you're only touching the slope for bullpens and games, you probably just need more reps.
On the bump, the sight lines are different, your body moves differently, and even the ball moves differently. Adding an 8–10 pitch touch and feel the day before a bullpen or game gives you those extra reps. Keep them easy. The goal is to get comfortable with the slope, your landing spot, and the view of your target, so in a game you can focus on competing instead of getting comfortable.
About midway through my first pro season, I started doing this every day I was "hot". I immediately felt more comfortable on the mound in games, and I located better as a result.
But this is usually the first thing people try, and it isn't always enough. And in some cases they can be counterproductive if they lead to more overthinking or puts more focus into your delivery instead of the target. For these cases, players need a different training stimulus, rather than just banging their heads against the wall training the same way and expecting different results. Which brings us to the next two approaches.
2. Turn Catch Play Into a Game
Most guys play catch on autopilot. I was definitely guilty of it when I was playing. I'd make every throw out of my delivery and not think much about where the ball went, as long as my partner could catch it. That's a lot of wasted reps. If you're struggling with command, catch play is a great chance to put those reps to use and build some confidence.
My favorite way to do this is HORSE or PIG. Just like the basketball version, you call your shot: throwing on the run, from different angles, from a knee, off one leg, whatever you want. The only goal is to hit the target you called.
Or keep it simple and play a game to 11, with two points for hitting your partner in the head and one for the chest.
Keeping score helps guys lock in and get more out of catch play than just going through the motions. Throwing from different angles or on the move also forces your body to find its own way to hit the target. That ability to adapt is what builds accuracy.
3. Throw Differential Balls in Your Bullpens
Following that same idea, mix differential balls into your bullpens. Throwing slightly larger and smaller balls forces you to adjust pitch to pitch and still find a way to hit your target, even when the implement is different.
Anyone who's ever pitched knows every ball feels a little different, and no two mounds feel exactly the same. The better you are at adapting, the more success you'll have. And once you get in a game and you're only throwing a baseball, it should feel easier than your bullpens.
If you want to see how we use differential balls in our bullpens, you can see our sample bullpen scripts here.
Why These Work
If you're struggling with command right now, I've been there. The first instinct is to overanalyze your mechanics and cue yourself to death ("keep the glove side closed," "step straight to the catcher," "finish through the target," etc.). In my experience, that usually makes the problem worse, because it shifts your focus inward to your body instead of outward to the target.
That's why I like these three approaches. They keep your focus on the target and let your body find a way to hit it. Better command doesn't always mean better mechanics. Most of the time, it just means better training. Pick one or two of these and add them to your routine for the next few weeks.
If you're looking for more help, we're here:
A training plan built specifically for you, not a cookie cutter program. Using the Pearl PD app you will have all of your programming, data, and feedback in one location.
A complete blueprint for developing nasty pitches and optimizing how you use your stuff. 3+ hours of easy to follow video lessons.
More Free Resources
Pitch Grip Database
Throwing Program Builder
Bullpen Script Builder
Pitch Movement Evaluation