Baylor Pitcher Drive Mechanics - ready, set , KNEE UP!

STRIKE3 · May 22, 2016

Congrats to the Ducks for advancing to the Supers! Did anyone see the last Baylor pitcher and her high stride knee or at least what appeared to be a very high knee from behind? I think it might be extreme but more importantly it reminded me of why the knee should not be overlooked. I have seen many pitchers as of late with really poor stride knee mechanics and they are simple "reaching" or "stepping out" and the drive leg/foot is left in the dust.

Thoughts?

[video]https://youtu.be/5XxKG6wAbfQ[/video]

Doug Romrell · May 23, 2016

Ueno is the poster-child for drive mechanics, IMO. I teach a first, forward-leaning "h," followed by a second one, though nothing like the girl in that clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ObSX1hV5bs&list=PLj4D0mgGZTfeOArPBBQu-KML65vfGWFpj

Boomers2012 · May 23, 2016

Strike....I was thinking it looked a little strange myself but then I realized she is pitching for a major D1 college so she must be doing something right.

STRIKE3 · May 23, 2016

Doug Romrell said:
Ueno is the poster-child for drive mechanics, IMO. I teach a first, forward-leaning "h," followed by a second one, though nothing like the girl in that clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ObSX1hV5bs&list=PLj4D0mgGZTfeOArPBBQu-KML65vfGWFpj

Doug, I agree with you and and Ueno is definitely an amazing model. Your video does show the "h" as you explain above so thanks for sending.

I think the knee does a number of things but one thing that is over looked (IMO, or at least I have overlooked it big time!) is that if it is UP it keeps both legs closer together than if it is just out. My DD still at times does NOT get it up in the "h" and more out like a "v" right out of the gate (she reaches) and her timing is off which equates to a major loss in velocity.

Needless to say, we are going to work on the "h's" moving forward. Plus a strong knee will keep the boys at bay!!

STRIKE3 · May 23, 2016

Boomers2012 said:
Strike....I was thinking it looked a little strange myself but then I realized she is pitching for a major D1 college so she must be doing something right.

I thought the same thing Boom. It is definitely "different" but she is playing in a regional for a pretty good team and good school so I wouldn't complain if it was my DD.

WillyT812 · May 24, 2016

I've always equated the strong knee drive to moving mass. The leg itself probably weighs a good 30lbs. Driving that 30lbs with force off the rubber is a lot of linear energy soon to be converted into rotational energy.

Baylor Pitcher Drive Mechanics - ready, set , KNEE UP!

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