Leading with My Elbow

If you're talking about your throwing arm, then I wouldn't worry about it. It's something you want to do, and I would think would happen naturally as you rotate to throw the ball.

Catch43,

Leading with your elbow is a must when throwing. It is a key element to throwing with maximum velocity. You're arm is like a whip when you lead with the elbow, but the main thing is you have to learn to completely relax your arm, especially during your follow-through. Make sure your elbow is above your shoulder though. You must have tremendous flexibility as well.

Here is how I teach the mechanics of pitching:

When you are in the balance position with your front leg up...as you bring your hips forward and start your hands down...take your hands down toward the ground and then back up to what I call a scarecrow position, with your throwing hand below your elbow, which is at a 90 degree angle. At that point, raise your elbow above your shoulder. When your elbow is at max height, you will then start your upper body rotation while at the same time bringing your throwing hand straight up as fast as you possibly can (as you're rotating). You will then lead with your elbow. It's like throwing your elbow instead of your hand at this point. You will actually never have complete extension with your throwing arm until after you have released the ball and start your follow-through. This will relieve much stress on the shoulder. The best example I have seen with this type of throwing motion is Billy Wagner, even though he tends to short arm the ball quite a bit. Another great example of this type of delivery is Adam Miller, who pitches at AA Akron with the Cleveland Indians. He'll be in the show in the next year or so. If you ever get to see him pitch, he has picture perfect mechanics for this type of throwing motion, which in my opinion, is the proper way to throw a baseball. Adam has thrown as hard as 101 mph.

I know this is really hard to follow as far as the explanation, but it's hard to write it out and understand it!!

Sorry if I have confused you at all!!

This is another case of reality versus thought process. When throwing, the hand will be behind the elbow and then will out in front at release. What I have said to my players (and it sounds as if this is the message your coach is trying to convey) is to take your throwing hand and try to go right through the catchers mitt and lead with your hand. Is this what will happen..no. But it will help you get a feel for accelerating the hand and fingers through the release point rather than having the elbow drag the hand through and getting your hand underneath the ball too much at release point, resulting in a high pitch. Hope this makes some sense.

Isnt' it amazing how difficult it is to describe a movement through words?

Good job though.

Anyone else find themselves making the motions and then typing feverishly! Problem is, I'm a slow typist.

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Isnt' it amazing how difficult it is to describe a movement through words?

Jon,

You got that right!! It's a nightmare to not sound like an idiot. It's so simple to show someone, but to write it out...OUCH. Most kids I work with have such a hard time with this motion, because most of them have always been taught to get their arm and hand up behind their head and then start their rotation. With this motion, the arm never extends until way out in front. There is also never any writs rotation with this motion. The hand stays in the same position throughout the delivery, except for the wrist snap of course. Some interesting stuff though, thanks for the post!

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writs

Actually that's supposed to be WRIST!!

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Originally posted by Catch43:
What is leading with my elbow? I always thought it was elbow leading hand at release point, but I was watching some videos and many people did that. My coach tells me every so often that I lead with my elbow. What is it?

As others have suggested, I think that this is a phony problem.

Virtually every pitcher could be said to lead with their elbow. It's a natural byproduct of throwing hard.

As the pitcher comes through the high cocked position and the shoulders start to turn, the forearm bounces or lays back into external rotation with the hand and elbow at the level of the shoulders and the elbow joint bent 90 degrees. The elbow then leads the pitching forearm until the shoulders stop turning at which point the elbow rapidly extends.

quote:

When you are in the balance position with your front leg up...as you bring your hips forward and start your hands down...take your hands down toward the ground and then back up to what I call a scarecrow position, with your throwing hand below your elbow, which is at a 90 degree angle. At that point, raise your elbow above your shoulder. When your elbow is at max height, you will then start your upper body rotation while at the same time bringing your throwing hand straight up as fast as you possibly can (as you're rotating).

I think this is dangerous advice.

What you are describing are the motions of Paul Byrd and Anthony Reyes, and I don't think it's a coincidence that they have both had shoulder problems (as has Billy Wagner). What this can do is increase the rate and force with which the forearm lays back. While this very well may give you a velocity boost, it can also put a lot of stress on the shoulder (e.g. injure the labrum and possibly the biceps as well).

Thanks alot for the help, but I didn't give enough info. My elbow hurts most of the time, and I think its because my arm snaps down and it puts too much on my elbow. I don't know how to fix that. Is there any way I can tweak my mechanics so that I actually whip my arm and fire the ball without having an aggravated elbow. Thanks again.

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Originally posted by Catch43:
Thanks alot for the help, but I didn't give enough info. My elbow hurts most of the time, and I think its because my arm snaps down and it puts too much on my elbow. I don't know how to fix that. Is there any way I can tweak my mechanics so that I actually whip my arm and fire the ball without having an aggravated elbow. Thanks again.

Have you been to a doctor to see what's going on?

If not, you should.

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I think this is dangerous advice.

What you are describing are the motions of Paul Byrd and Anthony Reyes, and I don't think it's a coincidence that they have both had shoulder problems (as has Billy Wagner). What this can do is increase the rate and force with which the forearm lays back. While this very well may give you a velocity boost, it can also put a lot of stress on the shoulder (e.g. injure the labrum and possibly the biceps as well).

PainGuy,

The way I teach to throw allows you to throw with your entire body and not just your arm. Throwing with just your arm puts much more stress on the shoulder. Would you agree with that?