Effortless arm action??

LOL! I've wondered the same thing because it takes me a lot of effort to throw the ball anymore.

I have no idea what it comes from...but you see pitchers who look like they're not putting out much effort but popping 90+. Others are grunting and grinding to get every MPH they can get.

Fungo, Your son has a great arm, and if I was to guess, I think that in his 3rd year at a top college, he has probably improved his footwork and technique to the point where everything is easier for him. I would bet that the whole body is working so well, that it just feels easier to him as well. It started with the good arm and a few years later is now being refined with good technique too.

My son who is an 08 was throwing down a couple of weeks ago during pfp. One of the assistant coaches came over to me and said "He never looks like he is trying to gun it or lets it go". His pop times were 2.0 2.1. I never had really noticed but as I watched him it really looked like he was effortless on his throws. I asked him if he was throwing as hard as he could. His response was "I just throw it I dont really think about trying to throw it hard". I told him that he was 2.0 on several and 2.1 on a couple. I told him to gun one down to see what he could throw. He grunted and really looked like he gave a little extra on the throw. Pop time was 2.2. I told him not to do that again and just throw the ball comfortably. Im not sure what it is maybe they tense up when they try to zing it I dont know. But I do know that with my son the ball seems to jump out of his hand when he just throws it and doesnt try to load up.

I think I might write a book about catching - not just mechanics - but the mental side - don't worry, I will put a statement that everything I learned was from hsbaseball. I promise not to forget you all when the big $$$s start rolling in. Fungwho???

Thanks all!

If David had used a sling made out of semi-hard, semi-rigid leather, it would not have had the impact on Goliath that his shot with a very soft, supple leather sling had. The body works the same way. Tenseness in the muscles (which can derive from a tense mind) naturally inhibits the flow, thus 'too much' effort often equates to diminished performance.

Added to Krak's statements, I would also say that the appearance and feel of "effortless" also indicates good throwing mechanics. Sometimes trying to throw at 110% leads not only to the tenseness, but also to mechanics going bad.