Pitching Mechanics - The Landing Position Tells The Story
by Dick Mills on September 25, 2009
Maximizing pitching velocity while transferring less stress to the arm is all about how force is created and then transferred.
One of the keys to an efficient delivery is putting the body into a position where it has produced the force so that the arm can be used mostly for ball control. If a pitcher tries to use his arm to produce velocity he will end up injured at some point.
A correct landing position is a key factor to consider when assessing any pitchers mechanics. How he got there is important as well as how he positions his body at ball release. So you always want to watch how his arm got to that position. If the elbow gets above the shoulder before landing that is very stressful and should be fixed. Or if the arm wraps too far behind the trunk that too should be addressed.
These two pitchers, have both pitched in the big leagues. They have both thrown in excess of 95 mph.
They both display good body positions at landing so that maximum force is applied to the ball with less effort.
Key factors to consider for maximizing velocity with less stress to the arm:
- long strides
- excellent posture - head level
- chest is out, arms are cocked and back behind the line of the trunk
- elbows are at shoulder height...not above or below
- trunk is back with nose over the bellybutton
- front leg and hip is braced with knee behind heel
- back leg fully extended
- front knee is positioned over and lined up with the ankle
- back hip above the plane of the front knee
- support foot (back foot) is still in contact with the ground
The landing position will tell you a lot about any pitchers ability to apply force so the arm is not exposed to injury.
Here is something interesting to consider. At this point in the delivery, most of a pitcher's velocity has already been created. This means that most of his velocity is developed before his arm starts to move toward the plate. This is because energy is developed from moving from the back leg to the front leg and gets stored as elastic energy from the body and from all the muscles stretching out...like a huge rubber band.
This is why it is foolish to think that any arm exercises can increase pitching velocity...or that long toss will.
The arm does not produce velocity. The body does. I suggest you videotape your pitchers and see what they look like at landing. If they are not close to this position then they are not starting to shift their weight properly so that the lower body is creating enough energy so that the arm has less work to do.
Pitchers who want to improve velocity by next spring need to develop explosive mechanics and get their bodies into better throwing positions like this.
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
