How Little League Pitchers Can Improve Mechanics And Reduce Pitching Arm Injuries

by Dick Mills on July 05, 2009

The last thing a Little League parent wants to see is a pitching arm injury. 

It seems these arm injuries are due to poor throwing mechanics. In a recent 7 year period pitching arm injuries in high school pitchers have increased by ten fold. This high incidence of arm injuries may be due to Little League pitchers not learning proper mechanics. Some Little League pitchers are even having elbow surgery.

Poor pitching mechanics seems to be the big problem where pitchers are not taught by coaches or instructors how to use their bodies to produce velocity so the stress goes to the throwing arm. This is according to a study presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Here's what the study had to say: "The fastball pitching motion of 27 injury-free Little League pitchers ages 10-14 was studied using motion analysis equipment. Each phase of a pitcher's wind up, release and follow through was analyzed to determine the abnormal mechanics that may lead to arm injuries. Rotating the pelvis and upper body either early, too early or too late before delivering the pitch caused increased stress on the elbow.

Researchers found that pitchers who kept their pelvis square to home plate at the point of maximum shoulder rotation and had their upper bodies square to the plate when releasing the ball had reduced elbow loads."

Pitchers Should Learn How To Use Their Body To Produce Velocity

Pitchers simply must learn how to use their bodies to produce force instead of their arms. New studies have proven that the arm is not the source of velocity...the body moving explosively and stretching out into a Long stride is. This is why the throwing arm should get involved in the pitch as late as possible so that the body can move sideways longer and create more energy to pass off to the arm.

Pitchers who throw "all arm" not only reduce throwing velocity but add to the risk of an arm injury.

Momentum Pitching, part of the Explosive Pitching instructional DVD program, emphasizes using the body to create velocity...not the arm. This is an ideal delivery that can be taught to most Little Leaguers by parents in just one practice session. http://tinyurl.com/lgbwsz

This can dramatically reduce pitching arm injuries while actually increasing pitching velocity.

Article source:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63298.php