“Contact me if you can’t get your Lower Body to fire your throwing arm AUTOMATICALLY!” – Coach Skip Fast, 27 Years Coach Pitchers.
Lower body, Shoulders, stride, and Throwing Arm Every Time.
Your lack of velocity, power, or accuracy indicates your momentum is moving forward.
The key difference in momentum is seen when comparing a pitcher to an archer.
- Pitching: Your momentum is forward once your front leg lifts and the stride begins. Continuous motion culminates in the ball’s lack of velocity, power, or accuracy.
- Archery: The archer’s motion has a distinct “pause.” The archer draws the bow back, holds it steady, and then the fingers initiate the release. This “pause” allows for improved velocity, precise aiming, and controlled release.
As a Pitcher, you control your release. This is where the analogy to archery’s “pause” comes in.
- The key is separating the upper and lower body. This allows you to “load” your energy and then explosively release it through the throwing motion.
- Your glove hand plays a crucial role. It guides the throwing action and helps transfer energy from the lower body to the upper body.
- Your lower body provides the power. As you stride and plant your foot, you generate upward momentum, contributing to the ball’s velocity, power, and accuracy.
While pitching, your motion stops like an archer. That’s where the concept of “loading” and controlled release is priceless.
After you “load,” the phrase “Lower Body, Shoulders, Stride, and Throwing Arm Every Time“ reminds you to focus on proper throwing mechanics, prioritizing a sequential and coordinated movement pattern to maximize power, prevent injuries, and improve performance.
