16 Year Old Example Of The Pitching Velocity Killer - Early Hip Rotation

by Dick Mills on August 26, 2009

How many pitchers do not understand why they cannot improve their pitching velocity.

Here is an example of a 16 year old high school pitcher whom I have worked with one-on-one and through distant video feedback. This pitcher has already hit 87 mph but still has some adjustments to make which I believe will get him over the magic number of 90 mph before college.

I posted this story to our Member's Forums as a response to a client about early hip rotation.  Here is the post verbatim:

Dick, In today's newsletter, you talk about a 16 year old pitcher who suffers from early hip rotation. On the website, http://www.pitching.com/articles/vie...y-and-control/, you've posted a photo of this pitcher, which you've marked up to highlight the angle of his back leg just before landing. I've reviewed that photo, and I can't see how this 16 year old pitcher differs from Roger Clemens (see attached photos). Could you explain how they differ and exactly what we need to look for when we do our own video analysis? As always, thanks for your help.
Russell

Russell,  As I have repeatedly said...early rotation is the velocity killer. Here is a good example.

I could not find Clemens so I used Red Sox Daniel Bard instead. Believe me Clemens is in this same position as is Lincecum or Nolan Ryan at this point.

See the difference? Leg drive must be completed just before landing. Bard actually completed his a split second before this frame but that is the limitation of using 30 frames per second. But he does complete leg drive where the back leg is fully extended.

By the way, I synced both videos when the lead leg is braced so they are very much in sync. We do this syncing of each video during every video analysis so timing is correct.

The 16 year old never does complete leg drive and wants to throw much too early.

Notice the position of the 16 year old's trunk. Too far back because of early rotation initially and maybe even a lack of hip-glute functional strength and flexibility to hold him up. (anyone listening here?)

This is one of the reasons why you will never hear me talking about staying back which I used to do quite often. I don't like it as a cue and it is used frequently and thus misdirected.

As with most Little League, high school and many college pitchers, everything happens too soon.

(Side Note: The other thing which never gets addressed, which I will soon, is the lead leg and why not keeping it bent longer is a big problem while focusing on driving the front hip out instead of shifting the weight using the front leg. So the front leg straightening too soon is a problem for many pitchers.)

In the landing position notice the 16 year old's arm position - already starting forward while Bard's shoulder and arm are still back.

By the way...this was the first analysis of this 16 year old. We just completed the second one and in just a month he has improved...he listened and made the adjustments but his functional strength will be a limiting factor for him. It's his choice.

But he has hit 87 mph. If he does the suggested work he is going somewhere and Mom and Dad will not have to pay for college. But I don't want to see him hurt either. We had he and his brother here for a one-on-one about a year ago. Now we are into refinement by watching him on video and making suggested changes.

I will also show you the difference between this 16 year old from the front view just before landing comparing him to a still shot of Clemens. The difference is dramatic.

That is why I know this 16 year old has a lot left in the tank. I am impressed with his ability to make the changes over time.

So it is not just mechanical problems but also functional strength issues that can be limiting.

By the way...for those of you who are not getting my emails you may be missing something. Sign up on my home page...upper right hand corner.

Also...when we do video analysis or have kids for one-on-one it becomes so apparent how foolish the emphasis is on long toss. How on earth could long toss help this 16 year old refine his mechanics and the efficient transfer of forces. Because that is all we are trying to do. Make sure that maximum energy is developed but also transferred to the arm efficiently so the arm does less work.

How many coaches and instructors do you think fully understand this?

Hope this clears it up for you.

Video analysis is the key to pitching improvement. And so isn't building functionial strength and flexibility. 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. And how to get specifically stronger for pitching without losing flexibility. 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."