Submarine Question(s)

Longview

every Japan HS team has a submarine pitcher. We played their teams for 17 years.

Bob

www.goodwillseries.org

Send me the video link or post it here and I'll take a look at it for you

But in the meantime, to answer your questions (and ask some too)...

Q1.)  Often times, submarine pitchers arms do not hurt as much as over the top guys.  However, son always gets stiff in shoulder after pitching.  He believes the cause of it may be because he throws across his body.  When he does this, he doesn't trully allow his hips to fire and he has had this habit for a long long time.  Would throwing across your body this way maybe be the cause of shoulder tightness because he is throwing with a lot more arm?

A1.)  Where in his shoulder does he get sore?  Throwing across his body could be part of the cause.  But I'm guessing he is throwing too much for what he is prepared to throw.  Does he "build up" to his season?  What type of training does he do to get ready for the season/pitching?

Q2.)  By stepping straight (towards home plate), throwing submarine, could he add more velocity?  He knows its a mechanical flaw, but has always heard that it adds deception.  However, now that season is coming along he knows he will have to log a lot of innings for his team and wants to keep his arm as healthy as possible so he is willing to try and break this long habit.  If I tell him it will increase velocity, it will motivate him even more  Lastly, any drills he can to do help break this habit of his?

A2.)  Yes, by stepping straight (as opposed to across his body) he gives himself a better chance to throw faster because he will allow his hips to open more which in return may lead to more separation.  With that being said, I feel like some sidearm pitchers throw slightly across their body because they feel like they can leverage their energy that way and can "block off" their rotation.  There are no drills, just more repetitions with good movement.

Q3.)  Kent Tekulve said to generate the most movement for submarine guys, you let your shoulder and hips do all the work, and at the end of the pitch, "crack the whip" with your arm and wrist for added velocity and movement.  Could anyone expand on this to help son generate as much movement as possible? So basically, just flick the wrist on the follow through?  Any drills to help this as well?

A3.)  As a former submarine pitcher and conventional pitcher, I believe that the mechanics are the same.  You still want good leg drive, you still want good separation, you still need to leverage your energy, the only difference is you really have to think to stay on top of the ball to get the depth on your pitches.  I have heard "crack the whip" as well when I was pitching, but when I tried to do it I felt like I was forcing.  I'm not saying it's bad.  I'm just saying the thought didn't work for me.

I hope this helps.  Send me that link and I'd be happy to take a look.  Thanks.

How old is your boy?

POD: I sent you a dialog

A thought on the shoulder pain...

My son attended a pitching boot camp over the past summer where mechanical flaws were a big topic of conversation.

Even though it was being applied to conventional throwers - one of the things mentioned was that shoulder issues can often be traced back to improper deceleration. I have no idea how to put this into words really, but perhaps he needs to modify his follow through a little so the body rotates with his arm longer - rather than having the arm being the only thing moving as he decelerates?

Good point Rob T.  That's how I felt when I thought about the "whip".  I felt like I was over extending at my elbow and almost throwing my shoulder out of socket.  Instead, what felt good to me was some good "lay back" and staying on top of the ball through release point with good pronation.  The pronation I believe helps with deceleration and takes some stress off the arm.

Thanks all this information has been really helpful! My son is pitching another bullpen Friday and I will make sure he gets plenty of video so he can see what the problem is!  My son is a 2016 graduate.