Long pitchshots:
A long pitchshot is more like a regular shot and hence require a longer swing. My recommendation are to never hit a pitchshot to a full 100% unless absolutly neccessary.

Why? With a longer pitchshot one should still try and make the motion as simple as possible even though you're close to a full swing. You start with a oscilating motion of the arms and rather small bodymovement. If lenght is what you're looking for and a backspin in the shot, you move the ball back in the stance and move the hands so that they're hanging over the left leg with a somewhat open stance.

From this position one can oscilate the arms towards the hole with half-locked hips to make the best pedelum-motion with the arms and still have enough force to hit the ball 110 yards, if that is what one wishes. You've probably seen the pros hit low wedges that the wind can't touch and that stops on a penny even on hard greens.

Try these tips to see the difference. Also try and move the ball back towards the right foot and the had farther forward to make the ball go even longer.


Short pitchshots:
A short pitchshot shoudl be kept as simple as possible and the thing is to always simplify the swing by keeping the arms as straight as possible throughout the entire swing without using the wrists.

Phil Michaelson said that his pitchingtrick is to always strive for a straight left arm and not letting the face of the club past the left arm through the swing. Jack Nicklaus said that if you hold the club just a tad softer with the left hand you get a touch and less breaking with the wrists, which make it easier to oscilate the arms and the shoulders.


Set up and decide where to land the ball!
The setup is, like any part of the game, an important fact. To make as many clean hits as possible and hit the ball first and the ground after I recommend keeping the weight on the left foot throughout the entire swing. The hands should rest above the left leg and the ball should be placed in the middle between the feet (this may vary depending on how high and far you like the ball to go).


Summary:
Never think about the technique on the course. Only think about the target/hole. Your goal should always be to make the hole in 1 shot or a maximum of 2 with an easy uphill putt as a second shot. If this is your goal you'll guaranteed to improve your pitching.

To summarize the technique do the following:
1. Straigt arms (especially the left)
2. Hands always infront of the face of the club
3. Softer grip with the left hand for a better touch
4. Low follow-through (close to the ground)