The 7 Step Pitching Velocity Formula For Little League, high school and college pitchers

Just about ever pitcher wants to improve his velocity but they don’t know how. Too many unfortunately have been led to believe by coaches that velocity is about arm strength. Sports science research has proven that arm strength is not much of a factor for improving velocity.

What does Tim Lincecum say about how he produces velocity. He says that his body does the work and his arm is along for the ride.

So we know that pitching velocity comes from using the body to build momentum while getting the arm involved as late as possible.

There is a formula for improving pitching velocity. In fact, whenever we do a motion analysis (www.pitching.com/coaching) or one-on-one lessons at our facility in Scottsdale, AZ we focus on the 7 Step Pitching Velocity Formula. The formula teaches pitchers how to use their body so their arm does not have to create force so that it can be used mostly for ball control.

The video of this 13 year old demonstrates him doing some but not all of the 7 steps…but he is on the right track. In fact, he has better explosive mechanics than 95% of the high school and college pitchers we see when doing motion analysis or when they come visit is for one-on-one lessons.

His mechanics compare very favorably to many major league pitchers like Royals’ Zach Greinke or Red Sox Daniel Bard.

Study the video. Notice some of the aspects of the 7 Steps:

1. Builds momentum into a long stride
2. late hand break
3. excellent weight shift
4. complete back leg drive
5. trunk in great position at landing
6. arm is cocked and shoulder back at landing
7. good bracing action – and excellent trunk flexion into a late ball release

Although I have listed 7 steps that is not the 7 Step Pitching Velocity Formula. I will be talking more about that coming up in future articles.

If you waste time on pitching drills, long toss, weighted balls or lifting weights you will lose velocity and the opportunity to reach your full velocity potential. It is all about mechanics and of course being functionally fit to pitch. It is not about strength.

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/