How A High School Pitcher Improves His Pitching Velocity From 82-86 MPH

The simplest way to improve any pitcher’s throwing velocity is to videotape the pitcher, go frame-by-frame, find the common mechanical faults that reduce velocity and then show the pitcher what he must change.

The photo in this article shows a 6’2″ 160 lb. high school junior pitcher who was throwing 80-82 mph prior to having us do a video analysis and point out his mechanical problems that were reducing his velocity.

There are three things in the “before” photo on the left that indicate why he is not able to maximize or improve his pitching velocity.

1. He is rotating his hips too early before landing which is reducing his ability to efficiently transfer forces from the lower body to the trunk which his how the arm is whipped through.
2. He is landing too far toward the 3rd base side with his landing knee not over the middle of his landing foot. This creates instability and reduces force production.
3. His trunk is rotating too early which reduces the distance which his arm is able to create force. You can see that the ball is actually sitting next to his face toward the 3rd base side when his arm should be sitting behind his head.

After working on making the required changes, we did a follow-up video analysis a month later and the photo on the right shows the improvement in his landing foot position, the improvement keeping his knee over his landing foot as well as having the ball in a better cocked position behind his head…which means he has created more distance for his arm to create force. His velocity improved to 86 mph.

Now less than 2 years later this pitcher has a D1 scholarship and is throwing 90 mph plus…with more to go. All from improving his mechanics which started with a Video Analysis. http://www.pitching.com/video_analysis/

Most high school pitchers would like to improve their velocity from low 80′s to upper 80′s if they knew what was preventing them from using their body to create more force.

This can only be accomplished by videotaping…which all parents can learn how to do. Or if you want my advice on your son’s mechanics we can do a side-by-side Video Analysis and tell you exactly what is preventing your son from maximizing his velocity.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. http://www.pitching.com/products/view/explosive-pitching-instructional-dvd-program/

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.

Most parents wait too long to insure their son is getting correct instruction. Correct instruction must start at the Little League level…not waiting to worry about until high school.

There are no magic bullets when it comes to improving velocity. The next best thing to magic is a Video Analysis. http://www.pitching.com/video_analysis/