By James Hattenstein [with Editorial additions by WebBall]

1 Spot Every Warm-Up Throw 
Always, always throw to spots during warmups. This practice concentration before the game will make it easier to locate your strikes when you need them. [See a detailed article on the bullpen coach for more on the warm-up routine.]

2 One-Dimensonal Warm-Up
Get the catcher to line up on the opposite edge of the plate to your throwing arm - i.e., if you're right-handed, then the outside edge for a right-hand batter. You'll establish control by concentrating on only one dimension of the plate (the width). [We have found great success by working over a practice plate that has side targets added to it.]

3 Stay Back 
Imagine if you split your body in half - straight down the middle, back to front. Slow the front side down. Don't let the body move forward until arm and body have had time to load up. [Yes, there are those who would disagree with this. All such advice must be adjusted to the tendancies - good or bad - of the pitcher: correct only what needs correcting.]

4 Hit the Mitt 
Don't watch the flight of the ball - watch it hit the mitt. Find a small target in the center of the catcher's mitt and throw through the mitt not to the mitt. [We also often suggest that the target be a knee cap or a shoulder pad, not always the mitt. On many fastballs you want to hit a spot over the plate so will need to find a target that gets you there. On breaking pitches you have to allow for the bend - a good catcher will understand that there are 2 targets on a breaking pitch and give you the right one, but with a less expereinced target you may have to re-aim on your own.]

5 Ask for a Steady Mitt
Coaches often overlook the catcher's influence on a pitcher's control. Catchers may have been taught to relax (drop) the hand during delivery (for a fluid, soft catch). But it's easier to concentrate on a stable target than a moving or disappearing target. Ask your catcher to help your concentration by holding still. [The pitching coach may need to arbitrate if both players want only what's best for them.]

6 Toe the Rubber 
When you're throwing well with good control, toe the rubber - stay in your rhythm to start the next pitch. But when you're out of sync, step off and take a breather. Remember you control the tempo - take advantage of that. If you throw strikes in a steady rhythm, your fielders will stay alert and consequently they'll make more plays for you.