Two Pitching Mechanics Faults That Reduce Pitching Velocity

by Dick Mills on December 16, 2009

Most Little League, high school and college pitchers could improve their pitching velocity...some dramatically just by videotaping and recognizing the most common pitching faults.

Here we see two left-handers. The one of the left is an 18 year old college freshman throwing low 80's while the one on the right is a high school junior throwing 83-84 but now hitting 86 mph more consistently.

Notice the difference in the two pitcher's back leg action. The college lefty on the left has a very common mechanical fault that kills pitching velocity. It is called early hip rotation where the pitcher simply begins to rotate into landing too early.  The high school lefty on the right is moving his body sideways longer and will not begin rotation until just before landing. This allows his lower body to build up more energy so that upon landing his hips and trunk will move faster to deliver his arm at a higher speed.

The other common problem is that the college lefty on the right is keeping his trunk back too long which will produce a slowing action and thus will reduce the amount of energy available upon landing to help produce more arm speed.

The key to improving pitching velocity is to be able to recognize these common faults that reduce pitching velocity by regular videotaping. 

Remember..."pitchers are made in the off-season."   What are you doing right now to improve your pitching skills?

These are some of the important aspects 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.

See our Holiday Discounts on our instructional DVD's:  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