How Baseball Pitchers Can Develop More Velocity From Momentum
by Dick Mills on November 20, 2009
Understanding how to use the body to develop velocity is a key component that help prevent so many arm injuries.
When we do video analysis or one-on-one instruction we show pitchers how to shift their weight properly so that the body builds more momentum initially so that the arm has to do much less work and can be used for ball control.
Arm Strength Is Not A Factor In Pitching Velocity
Unfortunately too many pitchers believe velocity is about arm strength when the research has proven that arm strength is not much of a factor at all.
If pitchers want to improve velocity they must learn how to use their body while pitching downhill from a mound so that gravity can assist in moving the body well ahead of the arm so that forces get to the ball as late as possible.
This video shows my son Ryan demonstrating to a 16 year old high school lefty from New York during a one-on-one lesson how to shift his weight so that the front hips leads out ahead of the front shoulder and so that the arm gets involved later.
Proper weight shift is one of the key ingredients for producing more velocity with less stress to the arm. No amount of long toss is going to help a pitcher learn proper weight shift moving downhill from a mound.
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/
"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
