- Aug 21, 2008
- 2,386
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BM, I think power in all sports is done across the body. Throwing overhand is one example, the arm finishes to opposite side after it whips during the delivery. Same as a tennis player during their serve. And dozens of other sports examples of how power is generated.
In clinics, my teaching of the arm going to opposite shoulder is an exaggeration. What I am looking for and I make sure I express feverishly at lessons is, I don't care if the hand finishes to the oppo shoulder. What I do care about is a complete and nasty whip of the elbow (or snap of elbow if you prefer). if done correctly, the arm will go across the body. MORE often than not, an exaggeration of bringing hand to the opposite shoulder is almost always used to rid a girl of her HE pitching style. Exaggeration is the only way to break that habit in some cases. I'm a big believer that the elbow whip is the key to additional spin and movement, and to achieve top speed. I think if you look at all the top pitchers, you'd see that nearly all of them whip across their bodies with the elbow. Some do it more than others but those who lead with their elbows on the downswing whip the ball at the release.
Out in CA, I don't know if you've ever seen ASA's Modified pitch game. There are 2 styles of Modified, 9 man and 10 man. 9 man modified is basically slingshot pitching, 2 feet on the rubber, etc. 10 man is where it gets interesting. 10 man modified, requires the pitcher to do nearly everything a fastpitch pitcher does to gain power with the body: no turning of the hips, ball must go around the hips, not through them, no turning the ball at 12:00 position, straight arm must be kept all the way through (which means no movement pitches aside from a knuckleball can be thrown), and no whipping the ball. Some call it "bowling style".
So, if whipping the elbow, is "wrong" then it wouldn't be banned from modified where pitchers are forced to do everything a FP pitcher does, or should do. That would include IR, getting the ball through the hips, etc. So, if anyone is looking for what makes a pitcher "throw faster" then all you have to do is look at what ASA modified pitchers do, or not allowed to do, and there you go... you'd have a pretty good start. LOL.
I doubt I'll be on much to check your answer or thoughts on what I said but I hope I accurately explained why I want the elbow to whip and how that leads to the arm going to the opposite side. PLUS... if we believe hello elbow to be wrong in all it's capacity, including finishing straight up and touching the shoulder, then the opposite must be true!!! LOL.
Bill
In clinics, my teaching of the arm going to opposite shoulder is an exaggeration. What I am looking for and I make sure I express feverishly at lessons is, I don't care if the hand finishes to the oppo shoulder. What I do care about is a complete and nasty whip of the elbow (or snap of elbow if you prefer). if done correctly, the arm will go across the body. MORE often than not, an exaggeration of bringing hand to the opposite shoulder is almost always used to rid a girl of her HE pitching style. Exaggeration is the only way to break that habit in some cases. I'm a big believer that the elbow whip is the key to additional spin and movement, and to achieve top speed. I think if you look at all the top pitchers, you'd see that nearly all of them whip across their bodies with the elbow. Some do it more than others but those who lead with their elbows on the downswing whip the ball at the release.
Out in CA, I don't know if you've ever seen ASA's Modified pitch game. There are 2 styles of Modified, 9 man and 10 man. 9 man modified is basically slingshot pitching, 2 feet on the rubber, etc. 10 man is where it gets interesting. 10 man modified, requires the pitcher to do nearly everything a fastpitch pitcher does to gain power with the body: no turning of the hips, ball must go around the hips, not through them, no turning the ball at 12:00 position, straight arm must be kept all the way through (which means no movement pitches aside from a knuckleball can be thrown), and no whipping the ball. Some call it "bowling style".
So, if whipping the elbow, is "wrong" then it wouldn't be banned from modified where pitchers are forced to do everything a FP pitcher does, or should do. That would include IR, getting the ball through the hips, etc. So, if anyone is looking for what makes a pitcher "throw faster" then all you have to do is look at what ASA modified pitchers do, or not allowed to do, and there you go... you'd have a pretty good start. LOL.
I doubt I'll be on much to check your answer or thoughts on what I said but I hope I accurately explained why I want the elbow to whip and how that leads to the arm going to the opposite side. PLUS... if we believe hello elbow to be wrong in all it's capacity, including finishing straight up and touching the shoulder, then the opposite must be true!!! LOL.
Bill
