“Contact me if you have trouble hitting your target!” – Coach Skip Fast.
Beyond Arm Strength: Unleashing Lower Body Power Through Proprioception
This instruction features a robust and consistent pitching motion built on a strong foundation of lower-body engagement and proprioceptive awareness, rather than relying solely on arm strength.
It meticulously breaks down the pitching motion into key components, emphasizing the role of balance, stability, and the “sixth sense” of proprioception at each stage.
The instruction highlights the body’s interconnectedness, explaining how a stable lower half, driven by proprioceptive feedback, enables efficient energy transfer through the core to the arm, ultimately leading to improved power, control, and a reduced risk of injury.
The detailed explanations of the starting position, grip, foot placement, separation, and the “palm-to-palm” glove action provide pitchers with actionable insights.
The instruction includes a specific drill with three-second holds at various stages, which offers a practical method for developing rhythm, timing, control, balance, and kinesthetic awareness.
The distinction between “desirable” and “problematic” head movement associated with each position is a straightforward visual and proprioceptive cue for correct execution.
The instruction effectively connects proprioception to key aspects of pitching, such as balance at foot plant and the risk of injury when relying solely on the arm.
It underscores the importance of training a repeatable and proprioceptively balanced foot plant to avoid compensatory movements that decrease power and control and increase stress on the arm, shoulder, and knee.
The instruction captures the core message of the piece:
A successful and sustainable pitching motion is a full-body effort rooted in lower-body engagement and the conscious development of proprioceptive awareness, which ultimately leads to more efficient, powerful, and controlled pitches while minimizing the risk of injury.
