Hi Dick I had a video lesson for my 14yo a couple of weeks ago with Ryan. We are working hard to correct the starting positions, but Craig continues to feel strain in his bicep only while pitching. While watching video and comparing him to other pitchers on your site I continue to see his back leg and knee moving forward while he is releasing the ball. He is 6’0 tall and weighs 160lbs. He throws in the mid 70’s but seems to always put stress on his bicep while pitching. Wondering if the mechanics of his front leg not bracing and his back leg sliding forward may be contributing. Thanks. Adam vimeo://video/105090350 vimeo://video/105090401
Adam, What specifically have you worked on fixing? Yes, his landing position, which is too far toward 3rd base and not landing on the midline prevent the front leg from bracing. Plus he lands toe first. Thus once his front leg stops moving, his trunk is already facing home plate. This means he is throwing all arm and not allowing his trunk to whip his arm. His arm is doing all the work. It could show up as a bicep issue or an elbow issue as well. The back leg normally comes forward during rotation of the trunk. Besides his beginning issues, which Ryan told you about he must land with a stable base. Otherwise the arm has to do all the work. Draw the midline from the middle of his foot toward the target. He needs to land on the first base side of that line. Right how he is across the line toward 3rd. He needs to watch Carlos Martinez from the back and how he keeps his foot under his knee and then keeps his lead leg in close to his support leg…which will make it easier to land on the first base side of the midline. Next he must land flat or heel toe…not toe first which makes it nearly impossible to brace the front leg. Coach Mills
Hi Coach We purchased and have done the pre and post pitching routine from Angel Borrelli for the past 2 months. We worked on fixing the collapsing of the back leg and not having him lean back as much. We have been working on the foot landing flat. Does the fact that his back leg after landing appears to move forward with his toe scraping the ground for a long period cause any malfunction? Do you feel that is the result of his front leg not bracing? Just to add…he has been doing plyometrics and lower leg exercises for the past 18 months so I feel he is pretty strong in his lower extremity. Thanks always for your insight. Adam
Adam, As I said, it is because of his landing position toward 3rd base and landing on his toe. Plus get his lead foot under his knee will help with his landing position. Put a piece of tape down so he knows where he should land. A front view will show that the landing knee is not over the foot. I suggest you go over Ryan’s analysis again. Coach Mills
