Four Points of Resistance in Pitching

I had mentioned this topic in a prior thread and was urged to put up a thread on it so here goes a very brief explanation.

There are four major points of resistance a pitchers body needs to achieve in order to transfer energy. Missing any of these four will result in a less than optimal performance. When you look at these pics and listen to the discussion it may sound "mechanical", but in an elite level pitcher these resistance points appear to be very smooth and seamless.....and relatively speaking they are.
Right now I am just posting pics of the Four Points......a discussion on each point will probably create a lot of discussion. I'm a little short of time right now, so I will add in as the discussion flows.

Hip "snap"???

I hope the discussion continues. I fully respect the accomplishments of Sarah and Rick.

Other than picture 1 (ONE) "Firm Front leg" I am really not sure what the others mean in terms of firm. I understand the idea of one part stopping and the rest continuing to create increased speed. Trying to understand what firm means and how that is taught. Hoping for some elaboration.

A brief explanation of the four points of resistance:
1) The landing leg must not only support the body from collapsing but it must also help stop all the forward linear energy created as the pitcher drives forward off the mound. This "front side resistance" helps transform linear energy into rotational energy (core torque/hip snap).
2) The upper torso performs a firming action that provides resistance. Depending on the type/location of pitch being thrown, the upper torso will move to its effective position (spine angle) and then hold (firming action) that position until release of the ball. This firming action provides a solid resistance base for the shoulder action.
3)The hips move in a torquing action but actually stop (at about 45 degrees to the powerline) just prior to release....this stopping action is why I call it "HIP SNAP" vs hip rotation. The stopping action helps with the whipping action the pitcher is trying to create in her arm action. It also provides a solid non-moving foundation (resistance) for the forearm to "brush contact". A common flaw is to see pitchers who attempt to throw with the hip.....they typically don't get the resistance to achieve high levels of speed, spin, or location desired. See the youtube clip attached for details on this hip snap/stoppage.
4)The shoulder rotation also performs a firming action just prior to release. I don't believe it stops totally like the hip rotation but it definitely slows down just prior to release....again to help with the whipping action and to provide a solid foundation (resistance) for the arm to pull against. A common flaw is to see pitchers who attempt to throw with their shoulder....they typically don't get the needed resistance for speed, spin, or location.

This should provide a good starting point for discussion/comment/questions.

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Core Torque Hip Snap and Stop - YouTube

Doug Romrell said:

Hip "snap"???

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Rick, you are right, this could generate a lot of questions.

Let me start with the following question about the ‘hip snap’.

Does the ‘hip snap’ occur during the downswing with a connective feel to the throwing hand that results in further acceleration of the throwing hand?

Rick ... I'm trying to articulate a ‘feel’ to this particular area.

Would the 'feel' be that of the muscles in the rear lower back actually attempting to resist rotation?

Is there a ‘feel’ of the muscles in the lower core working together with the muscles in the upper rear leg as a unit?

Darn FFS, you made me go into the pitching room and video myself and focus on the "feel". (I don't feel so good about the old man in the video)

There is definitely a feel of the muscles in the lower core/buttocks area working to create both the torque and the stoppage. The stoppage which creates the snap (muscle stretch/contraction) moves upward from the hip rotation into the shoulder rotation and creates a sudden acceleration of the lower arm whip. The connective feeling you asked about is more through the shoulder than the hips. Note that the shoulder rotation lags hip rotation but begins to catch up by release time.

FiveFrameSwing said:

Rick ... I'm trying to articulate a ‘feel’ to this particular area.

Would the 'feel' be that of the muscles in the rear lower back actually attempting to resist rotation?

Is there a ‘feel’ of the muscles in the lower core working together with the muscles in the upper rear leg as a unit?

Click to expand...

Rick Pauly said:

Darn FFS, you made me go into the pitching room and video myself and focus on the "feel". (I don't feel so good about the old man in the video)

There is definitely a feel of the muscles in the lower core/buttocks area working to create both the torque and the stoppage. The stoppage which creates the snap (muscle stretch/contraction) moves upward from the hip rotation into the shoulder rotation and creates a sudden acceleration of the lower arm whip. The connective feeling you asked about is more through the shoulder than the hips. Note that the shoulder rotation lags hip rotation but begins to catch up by release time.

Click to expand...

Glad you explained that, as I thought you meant shut-the-door with the hips. The word stoppage seemed to help. I may be wrong, but she seems to close those hips a bit more than the Hillhouse philosophy advocates. And, that's interesting, given women's hips relative to men's.

Rick Pauly said:

Darn FFS, you made me go into the pitching room and video myself and focus on the "feel". (I don't feel so good about the old man in the video)

There is definitely a feel of the muscles in the lower core/buttocks area working to create both the torque and the stoppage. The stoppage which creates the snap (muscle stretch/contraction) moves upward from the hip rotation into the shoulder rotation and creates a sudden acceleration of the lower arm whip. The connective feeling you asked about is more through the shoulder than the hips. Note that the shoulder rotation lags hip rotation but begins to catch up by release time.

Click to expand...

Thank you Rick ... greatly appreciate this description.

Let me follow up .....

Along with the feel of the lower rear back muscles, and the feel of linkage in the rear shoulder, do you also have a feel of (... this may seem strange ......) of a 'scrunching' of the muscles along the backside running from the rear hip to the rear shoulder? Does this feel tend to emanate from the rear lower back muscle area? Does this feel take place as the hip leads the rear shoulder?

Interesting description FFS.....but yes. It almost feels like you are trying to do a "muscle beach pose" as you pull together. We do a drill called "Pull Together" that is the most effective method I've found to emulate what you described. Here is how it goes....don't have a video of it yet so can't give you a visual:

Pull Together Drill----I suggest performing this without a ball numerous times before doing it with a ball (it is never as pretty with a ball). We do it from two different positions...1. K-position 2. Full motion
1. From K-position start with the ball at 12 o'clock and the glove at 2 o'clock....have the feet spaced about 8-12 inches wider than shoulder width. Now pitch....the focus is on pulling the ball and glove down together in sync and on pulling the back knee up to a position just outside the front knee.....these movements should coincide. This needs to be a high energy movement.
2. From Full Motion the intent and focus is the same as from the K-position.

When you perform this drill without a ball and look at the video of it.....it will typically be the best mechanics that pitcher has ever used.
With a ball the mechanics are still very good....compare with and without a ball...strive to be as good with a ball as you are without a ball.

FiveFrameSwing said:

Thank you Rick ... greatly appreciate this description.

Let me follow up .....

Along with the feel of the lower rear back muscles, and the feel of linkage in the rear shoulder, do you also have a feel of (... this may seem strange ......) of a 'scrunching' of the muscles along the backside running from the rear hip to the rear shoulder? Does this feel tend to emanate from the rear lower back muscle area? Does this feel take place as the hip leads the rear shoulder?

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