In teaching kids who are just learning or want to improve their pitching. Some coaches might teach diffently.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
This isn't a single answer question. Different things are more important for different pitchers. If you don't have velocity you need it. If you can't throw strikes you need to.
You can't "teach" 1 through 4. They are the result of #5. (Edit: maybe you can teach movement somewhat via grip change, etc., but that's covered in #5)
All 4 should be "measured" (including velocity) to determine if the instruction is paying off.
All 4 should be "measured" (including velocity) to determine if the instruction is paying off.
The arm transition right after pendulum swing is A#1 in the order of getting it right and importance!!.
Preferably as early as you can get your elbow to turn up by outwards rotation of your humerus. This is best achieved by raising your ball arm pendulum thumb up supinating so that you can then early transition into pronated drive and pitches.
I don't see this on the list though?
Preferably as early as you can get your elbow to turn up by outwards rotation of your humerus. This is best achieved by raising your ball arm pendulum thumb up supinating so that you can then early transition into pronated drive and pitches.
I don't see this on the list though?
quote:Originally posted by Yardbird:
Preferably as early as you can get your elbow to turn up
I thought this was a timing issue where the arm should be up at foot plant. Tell me more.
quote:What is the most important thing about pitching?...
Yes
quote:What is the most important thing about pitching?...
Control....the most successful pitchers I have seen over the years were the ones who could control where they threw the ball...
They were never the fastest, or had the best junk, but the ball went where they wanted it to go....
Sultanofswat,
It could be considered a timing issue but in all actuality it is a mechanical issue.
Most pitching injuries are caused by the position you attain prior to actually forwardly
Projecting the ball, this is why the pendulum swing direction and articulation has to be performed correctly in order to set up forwards force from as far back as you can achieve by outwardly rotating your humerus at the back like outfielders whom Crowstep correctly.
Traditional pitchers perform “Late transition” off to the side long after foot plant deleting most forwards body mass velocity from their splits crotch drive to a stop then throw.
This late transition causes “forearm bounce” degrading the UCL with every pitch.
The mechanic of bringing the ball up in pronation (traditional) leaves your forearm down and your humerus up causing you to outwardly rotate your humerus during humeral flyout instead of at the back where you can attain a longer ball driveline.
To perform your transition earlier you need only bring your ball arm up pendulum swinging it in supination (thumb up) then turn your elbow up another 90 degrees more by outwardly rotating your humerus so that when you start initial forwards force the ball is still at the back instead of off to the side.
quote:“I thought this was a timing issue where the arm should be up at foot plant.”
It could be considered a timing issue but in all actuality it is a mechanical issue.
Most pitching injuries are caused by the position you attain prior to actually forwardly
Projecting the ball, this is why the pendulum swing direction and articulation has to be performed correctly in order to set up forwards force from as far back as you can achieve by outwardly rotating your humerus at the back like outfielders whom Crowstep correctly.
Traditional pitchers perform “Late transition” off to the side long after foot plant deleting most forwards body mass velocity from their splits crotch drive to a stop then throw.
This late transition causes “forearm bounce” degrading the UCL with every pitch.
The mechanic of bringing the ball up in pronation (traditional) leaves your forearm down and your humerus up causing you to outwardly rotate your humerus during humeral flyout instead of at the back where you can attain a longer ball driveline.
To perform your transition earlier you need only bring your ball arm up pendulum swinging it in supination (thumb up) then turn your elbow up another 90 degrees more by outwardly rotating your humerus so that when you start initial forwards force the ball is still at the back instead of off to the side.
If I have to prioritize these things it would be:
1) Leg and body positioning (more importantly CONSISTANT leg and body positioning)
2) Location
3) Movement
4) Velocity
5) Ratio of Strikes and Balls
I put the ratio of strikes to balls last because if you have a CONSISTENT delivery and you have good LOCATION, then you will have a good ratio of strikes to balls.
1) Leg and body positioning (more importantly CONSISTANT leg and body positioning)
2) Location
3) Movement
4) Velocity
5) Ratio of Strikes and Balls
I put the ratio of strikes to balls last because if you have a CONSISTENT delivery and you have good LOCATION, then you will have a good ratio of strikes to balls.
You can also say that if the pitcher has good location and movement then he has proper leg and body positioning--they sort of go together as a unit
Here is an mechanical issue that is something that not many people talk about and there are contasting views as to it's importance. I'm talking about the landing leg and specifically landing on the ball of the foot as opposed to landing on the heel. From my experience in working with my pithers I feel that landing on the ball of foot increases a pitchers consistency and offers him better control/command of his pitches.
If looking at something you can measure..
I would say,
1) Location, Location, Location
2) Change of speeds
3) Movement
4) Velocity
The better the velocity, this will increase the effectiveness of the first 3.
I would say,
1) Location, Location, Location
2) Change of speeds
3) Movement
4) Velocity
The better the velocity, this will increase the effectiveness of the first 3.
