How To Condition The Pitcher’s Trunk To Improve Velocity And Reduce Arm Injury

by Dick Mills on November 12, 2009

This video demonstrates a great exercise to help build not only core strength but a strong and powerful trunk for increase pitching velocity.

This is my son Ryan demonstrating a trunk exercise we like to a high school senior pitcher from New York who came for one-on-one lessons. 

To improve pitching velocity a pitcher must learn how to rotate their trunk and powerfully and then flex it forward into a flat back position.  This additional force can add as much as 4-5 mph to a pitcher's fastball while finishing in a flat back position reduces stress to the throwing arm.  

It is the body that creates velocity...not the arm. 

There is no exercise in the weight room that can provide the benefit of this medicine ball exercise. Most high school and college pitchers waste time in the weight room rather than doing explosive functional exercises that transfer directly to improving pitching velocity and overall performance while reducing the risk of injury.  

These are the functional and explosive types of exercises that we recommend and have been a part of our Conditioning The Pitcher For Power DVD's for several years.   

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/

"I had spent several hundred dollars on a pitching coach who was leading my son down the path to ruin. He embraced every failed philosophy and technique you've identified - long toss, towel drills and more drills ad nauseum. My son's skills were deteriorating. When I found your website and read your report, I sense intuitively your words had merit and deserved further study."    Mark Smith, Downers Grove, IL