Scapula Loading

quote:

We have all heard ton's of "terms" over the years in baseball from "squish the bug", etc etc. "Scapula Loading" really is just another way of trying to get you into a position of maximum effort and the muscles near/around the scapula don't do anything but SLOW DOWN the efforts of your shoulder and chest muscles to violently throw your arm and shoulder forward. So much for the term, it's a gimmick.

The Scapular Muscles
On your prosected specimens identify the following muscles of the scapular region (Netter, 160, 395-398):

deltoid
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
teres major
teres minor
subscapularis

Identify the borders of the deltoid (Netter, 395). Note that it originates from the lateral third of the clavicle, the acromion and spine of the scapula. It inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus. The action of the deltoid is abduction of the arm.

The deltoid muscle is innervated by the axillary nerve. The axillary nerve passes posterior to the humerus enroute to the deltoid muscle. The posterior humeral circumflex artery passes along with it to contribute to the blood supply of the deltoid. The axillary nerve also supplies the teres minor muscle. We will identify the nerve later.

The deltoid and trapezius muscles lie superficial to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. To see these muscles completely you will need a prosection in which the deltoid and trapezius muscles are reflected or removed. Note that the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles insert into the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The supraspinatus initiates abduction; the infraspinatus is a lateral rotator of the humerus. These muscles are innervated by the suprascapular nerve

The teres minor muscle lies just below the infraspinatus. It originates from the lateral border of the scapula and inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus. The teres minor is a lateral rotator; it is also an adductor of the arm.

The teres major originates from the inferior angle of the scapula and inserts into the crest of the lesser tubercle. Teres major is an adductor, medial rotator and extensor. It is innervated by the lower subscapular nerve.

The subcapularis muscle originates from the subscapular fossa of the scapula and inserts into the lesser tubercle of the humerus. It's action is to medially rotate the arm. This muscle is innervated by the upper and lower subscapular nerves.

Four of the scapular muscles contribute to a musculotendinous cuff around the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff. These muscles are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. There tendons blend with the capsule of the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff muscles help stabilize the shoulder joint by holding the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity. Have you heard of rotator cuff injuries?

To say that these muscles do not help with velocity would be incorrect in my opinion.

quote:

Work on the shoulder muscles, rotator cuff, legs, abs, chest, thighs ... That's were the speed is coming from.

Why work on those and not the scapular muscles. It makes no sense. Why ignore anything just because you don't like the term? I am confused.

quote:

So much for the term, it's a gimmick.

why dont you get out of your wheel chair and try it,

quote:

Does my son "load" according to the "scap loading" pics/theories/religion/etc (or whatever you want to call it)? Yes.

lets see a video clip of him then...

quote:

Does he throw as hard as he can on every pitch? No, he's not a "Max effort" pitcher.

good, then the kid that throws 95 will make it ahead of him and get paid more

quote:

Does he break 90? Yes.

i smell bull ****, show us a clip with the radar gun at the end, this is the internet you cant fool me, i know a 15 year old that is having trouble breaking 90 consistantly that throws with the intent of a hungry wolf


so i just devoured hisoftheat, anyone wanna argue weighted baseballs dont work either?

Attacking HHH's son's ability is off base and you are wrong about his son not hitting 90. I don't mind a discussion, but let us not get personal. His son is a fine player.jmo

Can someone help me learn how to do this scap loading. I have seen it before, but I'm not sure how to learn and put it in my delivery.

Agreed Bighit. I happen to agree with the ****** teachings, but if someone else doesn't, I really don't care. Berating someone is probably not going to get them to see your view in any discussion. If I'm not mistaken, Paul ***** was the first to use the term, "scapula loading", so I use his definition. If he is correct, then lots of pitchers are in fact scapula loading. Video clips show this without question.

BigHit15

It's really, really good seeing you back on the board. We missed you.

Thanks Teacherman. Horizontal Abduction is a much more descriptive term describing what is going on during the delivery.

Big: You've made my point for me ... on all of these muscles, the insertion point is the Humerus, which makes them part of the shoulder muscles. Of course you work on them, Anterior and Posterior. Working and strengthening the rotator cuff is critical.

Ogba: Nice first post ...

-------------------------
I really don't care one way or another which "professor of theology" someone follows, but I believe that you will make more progress if it's done in an "eyes on" situation. I believe that a pitching instructor/coach/guru or whatever you want to call it is more beneficial than a website, method or far distant expert who can't see you.

So ... why not max effort? This one probably does fall into the category of a religion for us. I've seen a lot of "max effort" high schoolers have to go under the knife for various reasons. I don't believe that they always have their growth plates closed, or have built sufficient bone density or muscle mass to allow the shock absorber action that is necessary to slow down their arm repeatedly from repeated max effort deliveries. Some guys mature earlier. For them it's fine.

As a person's body matures, then it's fine ... but my son still have some open growth plates that show on X-ray and has more physical maturing to do. He's a HS senior.

Teacherman: Every time I post, the points I'm trying to make are:
1). There is no one way to do anything. Look at the hitters/pitchers in the majors. They aren't carbon copies.
2). Extremes don't have a history of a high sucess rate. Yes pitchers can be sucessful throwing over the top at 12:30, but they are rare. Hitters can be out of sync and hit .300 in the pros.

... and still contend that you can't load a bone.

quote:

Originally posted by HiHardHeat:
BigHit15

It's really, really good seeing you back on the board. We missed you.

Thanks Teacherman. Horizontal Abduction is a much more descriptive term describing what is going on during the delivery.

Big: You've made my point for me ... on all of these muscles, the insertion point is the Humerus, which makes them part of the shoulder muscles. Of course you work on them, Anterior and Posterior. Working and strengthening the rotator cuff is critical.

Ogba: Nice first post ...

-------------------------
I really don't care one way or another which "professor of theology" someone follows, but I believe that you will make more progress if it's done in an "eyes on" situation. I believe that a pitching instructor/coach/guru or whatever you want to call it is more beneficial than a website, method or far distant expert who can't see you.

So ... why not max effort? This one probably does fall into the category of a religion for us. I've seen a lot of "max effort" high schoolers have to go under the knife for various reasons. I don't believe that they always have their growth plates closed, or have built sufficient bone density or muscle mass to allow the shock absorber action that is necessary to slow down their arm repeatedly from repeated max effort deliveries. Some guys mature earlier. For them it's fine.

As a person's body matures, then it's fine ... but my son still have some open growth plates that show on X-ray and has more physical maturing to do. He's a HS senior.

Teacherman: Every time I post, the points I'm trying to make are:
1). There is no one way to do anything. Look at the hitters/pitchers in the majors. They aren't carbon copies.
2). Extremes don't have a history of a high sucess rate. Yes pitchers can be sucessful throwing over the top at 12:30, but they are rare. Hitters can be out of sync and hit .300 in the pros.

... and still contend that you can't load a bone.

TRANSLATION: I love my religion.

quote:

Originally posted by obga:

quote:

So much for the term, it's a gimmick.

why dont you get out of your wheel chair and try it,

quote:

Does my son "load" according to the "scap loading" pics/theories/religion/etc (or whatever you want to call it)? Yes.

lets see a video clip of him then...

quote:

Does he throw as hard as he can on every pitch? No, he's not a "Max effort" pitcher.

good, then the kid that throws 95 will make it ahead of him and get paid more

quote:

Does he break 90? Yes.

i smell bull ****, show us a clip with the radar gun at the end, this is the internet you cant fool me, i know a 15 year old that is having trouble breaking 90 consistantly that throws with the intent of a hungry wolf


so i just devoured hisoftheat, anyone wanna argue weighted baseballs dont work either?

Hey Obga, Why don't you post some film of yourself? By the way, there is not a starting pitcher in the big leagues that throws as hard as he can on every pitch. If you had ever pitched at a high level, you would know that.You come here with your first post and rip into a respected member of this community and the only thing you have is what you have learned from a guy who never played anything and has never taught anyone, and swings the bat like an old washerwomen.

Obga we dont attack peoples kids here. We dont attack peoples kids period. The fact that he is indeed a stud player does not matter at all. The fact that you come on here and try to smack down respected members of our community does. Go ahead Teach work him over real good and he will go away. Be quiet for awhile and learn your place son. If you have something to add that is based on experience great we are all for it. But if all your going to do is bash people that you dont even know anything about please find someplace else to do it.

quote:

... Go ahead Teach work him over real good and he will go away...

If me pointing out that he doesn't know what he's talking about "sends him away" so be it.

Then, pick on me (because I said it) rather than the bad information he's spewing.

What's also interesting is the definition of "respected member". Usually it's a parent of a talented son. Like they have much to offer.

Most have no clue. But they are religious.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach May:
Obga we dont attack peoples kids here. We dont attack peoples kids period.

Coach ...

Your boys are looking good for the playoffs. Good luck this week and knock 'em dead !!!!! I believe you guys should cruise through the first two rounds. 15 wins in a row doesn't hurt going into the playoffs and you have those young guns playing great this year.

H3

And Coach ... you missed Teach's point... he's not after Obga, he's after me since I disagree with his religion.

Thanks HHeat. Well we lost tonight 10-7. Our #1 was unable to go due to a bad ankle. We started a Freshman on the hill that is really talented and he pitched great for 6 innings. We were tied 3-3 in the 7th and he hit the lead off man. We pulled him with two on and one out and they proceeded to get 6 hits in a row. It was just one of those things were they just had eyes. They scored 7 in the 7th and took a 10-3 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. We fought back and hit a grand slam and made it 10-7. We loaded up the bases again and had the tying run at the plate but we struck out to end the game. We had a heck of a year 21-4 overall. Its tough to loose anytime especially when you have won 15 in a row and feel that you have a chance to go deep in the playoffs. But Im proud of my boys they never quit and fought untill the end. I give Manteo alot of credit they were clutch all night. We will be fine. We have two sophs and one fresh on the hill this year and they are going to be very very good in the future. As we were leaving the field one of our coaches said "I dont know what Im going to do after school tomorrow". My boy said "Im going to come to the field and hit and start my long toss program". I tell you what I am so proud of him. He started behind the plate as a Freshman and was outstanding. He had 13 runners attempt steals this year and he threw out 8. He did not give up a stolen base in the conference 14 games no passed balls. He was a warrior. He hit .390 in conference play and .320 for the season with 9 doubles and 2 hrs. I had to brag on him a little it sure hurts to see your kid cry his eyes out after a game. But it also makes you feel good to know that he cares so much as well.

Teach-

My recollection is that scap loading is primarily via horizontal aDduction of the scapula (sometimes called horizontal adduction of the shoulder or RE traction among other confusing things).This is not to be confused with "shoulder abduction" or adduction which is actually referring to the arm bone lifting up away and back down toward the side)AB means whatever structure is being referred to is moving away from the midline,ADduction toward midline.In case of "horizontal adduction".it means the scap is pinching toward the midline/spine as it loads.

I personally think this is important info for the swing/throw skills coach to know,helps with communication with training rehab types as well.

Throwing studies have shown that degree of scap load and arm layback (horizontal adduction of scap and degree of external rotation of arm/humerus) are significantly related to velocity,probably because this means there is increased range of motion and better sequencing for the rapid acceleration/whipping of the arm.

In hitting,I think a good back scap load can shorten and quicken the swing as well as allow for more built in on the fly automatic adjustment capability (automaticity).