My son is 17 years old and has been a starting SS and pitcher for his HS team. Every summer he plays American legion and has attended various college camps. The issue I need addressed is that his pitching control in the summer months during non-HS activities is good to excellent. Once he starts the school season (his HS plays fall and spring BB) his control deteriorates significantly. The only thing I can think of that may be contributing to this is that during the summer he pitches almost exclusively from a mound for practice but once he begins the season in HS, pitching practice is primarily constituted of flat ground drills consisting of once a day 20 pitch sessions. The pitchers are only allowed to throw 3/4 speed with fast balls and changeup. No other off speed pitches are allowed. The pitchers are allowed to pitch one live inning in intrasquad games from a mound each week if the pitcher isn’t due to start within the next 3 days. I suspect the HS coaching staffs belief that this practice regimen reduces injuries is the reason it is used.
I am of the opinion that the difference in mechanics between mound and flat ground practice is the biggest cause of his control issues in the fall and spring v. summerball. Some of the other pitchers have experienced similar control issues albeit to a lesser extent than my son.
I am trying to get other points of view on this subject and recommendations on drills he might use to correct the issue.