One of the most basic requirements for fastpitch pitchers is being able to hit their spots. While I’m not as fanatical as some about it as some, there’s no question it is important. If you can hit your spots you can pitch to a hitter’s weaknesses far more reliably than a pitcher who is chucking the ball toward the plate and hoping for the best.

But of course, as with many things, it’s easy to say but not always easy to explain how to do. One of the methods of going inside and outside (and the one I teach, incidentally) is to stride slightly left or right of the power line. Essentially you’re setting up a slight angle off of center. An inch or two in either direction at the stride will result in hitting the corner at the plate – if you do it right.

But there’s more to it than just striding left or right. You have to carry your momentum toward that side too, maintaining your same mechanics as though you were going down the middle.

I had a student who was having some trouble getting the hang of it, so I found a different way to explain it to her. What I told her was to drive her momentum toward the glove, which was set up alternately on the inside or outside corner.

It gets the same idea across — maintain your core mechanics but aim them left or right. But it does it in a way that’s a little more specific.

If you have a pitcher who is struggling going inside and outside give it a try. And if you have another method with which you’ve had success, let the rest of us know in the comments below.