Pitching Mechanics’ Velocity Killer – Poor Weight Shift

To improve pitching velocity the large majority of pitchers need to improve their mechanics…not their strength.  Research has proven that strength is not much of a factor when it comes to pitching velocity…after all there are 10 year old Little League pitchers who can throw 70 and 12 year olders who can throw 80.

One of the most important mechanical factors for maximizing pitching velocity is weight shift or using the lower body as the impulse that insures that the entire mass of the pitcher’s body is used to create energy that upon landing will shift to the upper body and create arm speed.

Poor weight shift can cost a pitcher at least 5 mph or more on his fastball

The large majority of Little League, high school and many college pitchers do not understand the importance of weight shift as a key factor for improving velocity.  If proper weight shift does not occur before the pitcher takes the ball out of the glove this can cost him as much as 5 mph or more on his fastball.

Does the front hip move toward the plate before hand break while the upper body or trunk comes along for the ride?  Is the back hip and back leg used properly to insure optimum weight shift so that the back leg lengthens and straightens before landing forcing the front hip toward the plate?

Comparing amateur pitchers to major league pitchers is a valuable way to insure a full understanding of what needs to be improved upon in order to maximize pitching velocity while reducing stress to the arm. A video analysis with  side-by-side comparison is a valuable tool that can help motivate the pitcher to make desired changes during the off-season so that his velocity is improved for next spring. http://www.pitching.com/coaching/

The pitcher on the left in this video displays normal but poor weight shift.  The pitcher on the right is Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke.  Notice that Greinke has his focus on moving his front hip at the target before hand break. Also notice how he stretches his body out and gets his back leg to fully extend. The amateur pitcher displays another common fault “early hip rotation” that prevents his back leg from maximizing his velocity.  He has other faults as well. Can you identify them?

There is nothing this pitcher can do to improve his velocity such as long toss or getting stronger in the weight room or any conditioning program for that matter until he fully understands how to shift his weight.

The movement from the pitcher’s back leg to his front leg into landing has more to do with pitching velocity than any single factor. The only way to insure that a pitcher is using his body properly is by videotaping his mechanics.

A video analysis is a parents insurance policy against reducing their son’s overall pitching performance while insuring they avoid the risk of injury.

Video analysis is the key to pitching improvement. And so isn’t building functional 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/