How The Pitcher’s Trunk Delivers His Arm At Higher Speed

by Dick Mills on November 04, 2009

Unfortunately most amateur pitchers believe it is the arm that creates velocity because that is what their coaches are telling them.  Build arm strength using long toss.  That has been proven false by new sports science research which reveals why it is the body that produces velocity...not the arm.  No amount of additional arm strength will improve pitching velocity.

How the pitcher uses his trunk is vitally important since trunk rotation and trunk flexion forward are the last opportunity before ball release to create velocity.  And the trunk is a large mass of the body. 

Most velocity is created by the time the pitcher lands...which means most velocity is created and then it is stored in the muscles and connective tissue before the arm even starts to move forward. Thus why weighted balls or any arm exercises cannot improve pitching velocity. 

So by the time the pitcher lands, most of his velocity has already been produced. Thus why you had better make sure while videotaping that the pitcher is in a good "power position" upon landing.

On this video, during a one-on-one lesson at our facility in Scottsdale, AZ, my son Ryan demonstrates how to use the trunk to deliver the arm at a higher speed.

Here is what my son Ryan is saying in that video: "When your arm comes up (shoulder height), your chest is naturally expanding. Then, once your trunk starts to rotate and flex forward all that force is whipping your arm through. Your arm is along for the ride. My trunk is delivering my arm."

This is what I have been focusing on in our Explosively Pitching DVD program since 2004.  We teach parents how to help their sons use their bodies to pitch instead of just their arms. Not only does this improve velocity but reduces the risk of arm injuries. http://www.pitching.com/products/

"My 14 year old son's velocity jumped 12 mph, his control improved dramatically and his arm pain vanished. For the first time since he has been pitching, he finally understands what he is doing...what causes the ball to do what it does and how his body functions to be effective...now that is priceless." 

Mark A Smith, Downers, Grove, IL