Drive Mechanics

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javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Stride Angle

When working with student–athletes, you’ll find (if you haven’t already) that no two are built the same… at least I HOPE you do. Therefore, devising a cookie-cutter system that works for everyone is an effort in futility… You have to be willing to ‘think’ about each athlete and take their differences into consideration – and then apply this knowledge to the individual… so that the movement THEY perform is the most efficient for THAT INDIVIDUAL. Stride angles and stride foot orientations are great examples of this… and you’ll encounter some stride specific variances in your travels… I’ll give you a ‘blueprint’… but understand that each instance of that blueprint WILL be unique.

What differences? That’s a subsequent post… but rest assured “Differences” will be covered… as they apply to individual structure as well as the ever-contested male vs. female subject… which (put your seat-belt on) does exist. More on that later… ;)

Many associate the words “Stride Angle” with the orientation of the stride foot at touch down – like “45-degree” or “90-degree” foot plant. Although this will be covered next, stride angle is actually a reference to the angle created between the ankle of the rear foot and front foot at ‘touchdown’. Here’s a handy ‘Birdseye’ illustration that sums up the differences quite well…

30m20kx.jpg


One of the more common ‘tools’ in use is the powerline… either hand-crafted or purchased in the form of a pitching mat… and I’m not a huge fan of the predominant usage, as it is often utilized incorrectly. Here is an example, if you're unfamiliar...

bhf505.jpg


Kids are often told to start on the line (drive foot) and land on the line (stride foot). Doing so often creates a ‘positive’ (IMO, not good) stride angle (see next illustration) Green = preferred, Red = not preferred… sorry for the low quality..

2j26snl.jpg


This results in a ‘crossing over’ action of the stride foot… which then leads to the drive foot being behind it… and in younger athletes, can result in the hips/shoulders opening too much. As discussed previously, this position often creates what starsnuffer marvelously labeled as a ‘backwards pitcher”.

From this 'crossed over' position… any subsequent move forward with the rear leg, is actually rearward… and the hips continue to open… while the shoulders close. Furthermore, this adds significantly to compressive forces in the shoulder… Sprinkle in high-frequency usage (lots of pitches), maybe a muscle deficiency or two, and some compensatory postural issues and you’ve an injured pitcher.

So… if you’ve a pitcher that steps onto or across to the pitching side of this line, I’d recommend that you ‘fix’ this. Get her to step with her stride foot forward… and the result will be like 90+% of the modeled pitchers out there… or slightly to the left of the line (RHP). See the green feet above... This is known as a negative angle… The benefits are ever-apparent:

  • Less weight on the heels (try it before you contest it)
  • Better stabilization of the core
  • Better on-plane arm circle
  • Better pitching lane (ball can see the target)
  • Less shoulder compression forces
  • Better hip adduction
  • A connected torso
  • This slightly wider ‘base’ promotes better balance… which also leads to better hip/scapular stability at the top of the circle and through the release zone

Such a small thing… with such significant returns…

So, if you use a powerline (which is perfectly fine) put the drive foot on the line, and encourage the stride foot land slightly to the left of the line (for RHP, opposite for LHP). If your drive foot isn't on the line... just make sure your stride foot lands slightly to the left of where your drive foot started. I am not suggesting that you step to the left… just step forward, not across. Don’t go crazy with attaining the perfect stride angle… just prevent it from ‘crossing over’. Later on, you can work with some minor stride manipulations, if desired… but when training someone – I find this is the best place to start… or a ‘blueprint’ – especially younger or beginning pitchers.

I’m sure some (maybe just one) will read this as a no-brain post… and say… “Why so many words…” My response: Heard it before… go away.

Next up… Stride Foot Orientation….
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
This particular post is going to help sooo many people. The whole "keep both feet on the powerline" is almost as prevalent on the web as wrist flips. About 5 months ago, DD had a constant inside, hit the batter miss. All due to not landing with her foot at 45 and landing basically right on the power line. The 45 degree landing and me making the power line wider and having her land with her toes on the left hand side fixed it in a jiffy. This whole time I hoped it was OK because I see almost all great pitchers landing a little to the stride side, but in my heart of hearts I thought we might be cheating a little and compromising something else by not "staying on the powerline" In simple terms, I read this as the ball needs to stay on the powerline, not the feet.
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Like minor manipulations for different pitch locations???

This is an often highly contested subject with some higher level pitchers. IMO, hip angle influences the release angle... so yes... but do realize that the smallest postural or hip angle is magnified over 40 or 43 feet... so a little goes a long way. It's also helpful in teaching body angle that is used in different types of pitches... Foot angles are less telling than stride angles, too... Again, a little = a lot... if you choose to place this way. I'll talk about foot angles next.
 
Last edited:

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
In simple terms, I read this as the ball needs to stay on the powerline, not the feet.

JJ, Sorta. The ball (in circle) will go where the pitchers posture puts it. For beginners, I like this in-line with or slightly outside the throwing shoulder... not as severe as Renfroe, per se... but this is an easy example to drive a point home... It might be better to say that the ball has its own powerline... or pitching plane... and it should run as close to and parallel to the powerline as possible (ball side). Certain pitchers will end up to the left of the line... and in those cases, like you said, the ball owns the powerline... point being... this is one of those 'differences'...
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
IMO, hip angle influences the release angle... so yes... but do realize that the smallest postural or hip angle is magnified over 40 or 43 feet... so a little goes a long way.

I believe this is a very important point and one that I stress with our pitchers all the time. The smallest adjustments can sometimes make all the difference. And sometimes can go too far...
 
Jul 26, 2010
3,567
0
The photo's above have a very straight foot. If you use a 45 degree foot at touchdown, you can have a good result with the drive foot being to the right of the power line, and the stride foot landing toes on the power line. The length of the foot and the 45 degree angle is enough to create the offset you are looking for. In practice, I honestly like my pitchers as far towards third base on the rubber as possible, it increases the effect of an inside pitch, but since power lines are typically drawn down the middle of pitching mats and no one wants a right handed and left handed pitching mat, you have to make due.

This thread needs to be a sticky or JS's posts put together as a sticky at least.

-W
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
The photo's above have a very straight foot.

Good catch, and very intentional. It's about 30-degrees. More on that later... maybe tonight. Drive foot orientation on the plate is a matter of preference - but you've a compelling point - as always. I actually get them using the majority of the plate... more on that later, too. Thanks, SS.
 

Bleacher Bum

Avid student of the game
Aug 29, 2013
39
0
NorCal
I don't know, but if there is, I'd like to use it.

What I do is convert the animated GIF to an AVI, then insert the link to that file (that is in a different folder) in the proper place in the Word document. But, hey, if there is a way to insert an open animated GIF, I'm all ears (or should I say, "I'm all eyes).

Not to derail the thread, but if you're still looking for ways to archive this stuff into your own document on your computer:
Open a WORD file. Highlight the info in the browser (including the GIF), copy it, and paste it into the open WORD file. "SAVE AS" and use file type "Web Page (*.htm, *.html). The pictures will look like static pictures, but if you open the WORD file with a browser (I.E.) the GIFs are all animated. I made my own "Best of Boardmember" file that I used for documenting the I/R in the classroom and other relevant messages. It helps to cut out some of the back-and-forth exchange and condense all the info into one spot (although having all those active GIF pictures all moving at the same time can be distracting).
Note that:
a) for some reason this doesn't work with Firefox;
b) when you save the WORD file as a *.html file, it also creates a folder with the same name as the file. That folder contains all the GIFs. If you move the file, you also have to move the folder to the same directory.
c) if anyone is interested in getting the I/R files, just let me know and (with Boardmember's approval) I'll send them to you, or put them into a DropBox location (if DFP doesn't have an FTP or similar site).
 

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