I have a question for all those coaches and pitchers out there.
Does anyone now or in the past deliberately straighten there left leg when they throw to increase release speed of the ball - for a right handed throw / pitch?
I am a javelin thrower from England that is known for my very large standing throw - 245feet in my prime back in mid 1980's, which is also when I clocked 100mph with a baseball - unfortunately I wasn't to accurate and had nothing else to offer other than an inaccurate fast ball - watch out!!!!.
I am now 47 and still competing and breaking National and World records in my event and I have never had a single elbow or shoulder problem - EVER - throughout my entire career!
One of the key things I work on is my standing throw and sequencing the body when I throw. The main focus is to wrap and create massive torque throughout my body. I drive forward to start the throw and then jam the left foot into the ground as I am already beginning the throwing motion. The resulting effect is an incredible whip lash that generates tremendous torque and then a greater release velocity. I describe it as getting as a stretch with in a stretch.
I just posted a YouTube video that compares my standing javelin throw in 1985 and and now in 2009.
I think I am doing things technically better now. I also think that what I am doing could be transferred to baseball, don't you?
A couple of notes:
In the video in the 2009 frame by frame part ( the "Now" section ) watch my left foot hover above the ground for several frames. Then watch as the javelin hardly moves as the chest and shoulder move forward and the torque is created.
In both the throws I am throwing for distance. But I have experimented doing the same thing ( straightening the left leg ) throwing low and into the ground and have found I generate the same kind of force, even more possibly because I can break at the waist and lengthen my pull.
Remember the javelin weighs 800g which is, I believe, about the weight of about 6 baseballs
This is the video:
World Longest Standing Throws?: Then & Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9iqdyAGkhg
When I see pitcher throwing they always have a bent left leg (right hander pitcher)- If they would straighten it would that generate more power, force, torque and ultimately greater release velocity? When you hit the ball you stay back and straigthen the front leg right to generate the greatest amount of force - why not when you throw it?
Thanks
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