Drive Mechanics

[JJsqueeze]

Please send me a copy, I would love to combine both the I/R in the classroom info, and the drive mechanics info and make one file for our league.

This assumes that BM and JS approve (say yes and there is a special prize for you both, I am assuming you drink carbonated beverages made from malted barley, hops and such).

 

[javasource]

This assumes that BM and JS approve...

Hmmm... You're in California, right JJ? They make some pretty decent wine up north...

It's all yours, man - have at it.

 

[JJsqueeze]

Hmmm... You're in California, right JJ? They make some pretty decent wine up north...

It's all yours, man - have at it.

I will find a nice bottle for you JS. PM me with your city and I'll see if I can find a nice local store that can hook you up with a nice bottle you can enjoy with liver and fava beans.

 

[javasource]

Just not Chianti... Might opt for the original offer now... your food/wine pairing choice is horrible... lol

 

[lhowser]

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…


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...

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..

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….

What are your thoughts about this pitch from Sarah Pauly (from Model Pitch thread) based on the above?

<img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/10xx4w0.gif" border="0" alt="">

 

[javasource]

What are your thoughts about this pitch from Sarah Pauly (from Model Pitch thread) based on the above?

lhowser,

Great question... I'll try my best...

My thoughts on Sarah are singular... she's incredible...

As it relates to stride angle?... The gif from the model thread was a little small... and didn't have a good reference angle to home. So, I used two different pitches from Sarah filmed from behind. This allowed me to capture the line to the plate, as well as her feet in relation to it...

Here it is:

So, I'll run down the list...

1) Stride Angle... check.
2) Less weight on the heels... check
3) Stabilization of the core... check (Sarah is the poster child of core...)
4) On-plane arm circle... check
5) Pitching lane... check
6) Compression forces controlled... check (this is mainly for younger)
7) Hip Adduction... check... she does this as well as any
8) Connected Torso... check... really nice sequencing
9) Balance, Stability @ shoulder and hips... check. Has really controlled and consistent drive mechanics

It's always a nice exercise to perform, so thanks for bringing it up!

I could also post some pitchers that step across the body... but the focus of this thread is on teaching mainly younger pitchers - and the importance of putting their body in positions that yield positive results, injury prevention, and a foundation to build on.

One interesting thing about these two pitches... though... The one on the left is change-up, and the one on the right is a rise... At TOB (top of backswing), Sarah has a noticeable tell with the flexion in her wrist. I don't know if this is a persistent trait... or if it's simply this day and these two pitches... but I found that kind of cool...

Again, thanks for the inquiry! ~JS

 

[3DD'sDAD]

I would also like a copy of the summary of Java's posts on this thread. Fantastic stuff!

 

[Rick Pauly]

JS
Regarding the comment below about the wrist flexion at TOB......for Sarah the flexion is really not a trained item. If you asked Sarah she would probably say she doesn't even realize it happens. What causes it......probably happens because of the intent to keep the knuckles facing the catcher on the back swing and forward swing up to 12 o'clock. This way there is only 90 degrees of wrist/hand rotation required to get the ball facing third after it passes 12 o'clock.....trying to minimize extra movements plus the knuckles to the catcher seems to help keep the backswing parallel with the powerline.



"One interesting thing about these two pitches... though... The one on the left is change-up, and the one on the right is a rise... At TOB (top of backswing), Sarah has a noticeable tell with the flexion in her wrist. I don't know if this is a persistent trait... or if it's simply this day and these two pitches... but I found that kind of cool..."

 

[Ken B]

What are your thoughts about this pitch from Sarah Pauly (from Model Pitch thread) based on the above?

<img src="http://i56.tinypic.com/10xx4w0.gif" border="0" alt="">

Love that clip!

 

[javasource]

Stride & Drive Orientation – Part 1

There are many goals to discussing these subjects, but at the core, I hope they give you a different and compelling viewpoint regarding drive mechanics… and challenge your beliefs – making you a better bucket-parent, coach, and PC… and I look forward to your insights, as well.

Here are some commonly ‘applied’ stride foot orientations... in 15-degree increments:

Commonly referred to as “stride angle”, stride orientation is the angle the stride foot lands. The importance of stride foot orientation is ever-apparent… in that it helps determine the angle of the torso… which is obviously a large factor in successful pitching. The 'preferred' angle of the stride foot varies greatly in high-level pitchers - and anyone professing to know the magic angle, has obviously not taken the time to see that it varies between every athlete. The visual evidence should absolutely quash on-going arguments… but for whatever reason… they persist. What visual evidence?

Pitchers like Ueno and Abbott have stride orientations MUCH less than 30-degrees… while others like Tincher and Nelson have middle-of-the-road stride orientations (between 30 and 45)… and lastly… there are pitchers like Osterman and Lawrie that use stride orientations greater than 45-degrees. To say any of these is right or wrong is just goofy… Stride orientation is pitcher specific… even pitch specific… and should NOT be a cookie-cutter number.

Why 45?!

If I had to put a number on it – I’d say 80+% of the people I’ve encountered (on the subject) think that this is one of those absolutes… and that the absolute is 45-degrees. I often ask: Why 45? Why not 30? Why not 60? Some will change the subject, some will side-step the question, but most will use the “dangers of too little or too much angle” spiel or… because it “keeps the pitcher from opening too much and too little”.

Does it? Abbott and Osterman must be doing something wrong…

You see, it is pitchers - like these two - that challenge what you think you know. As a PC/student, they challenge your beliefs and rattle your confidence. Years ago – before I tried my hand at being a PC – I made a list of everything I wanted to teach… and how I thought it should be taught. Through trial and lots of error, very few - if any - of those beliefs are ones that I hold today… and stride orientation is no exception. I started out as a staunch 45-degree advocate, moved to more open, back to 45, and then to less than 45 (closer to 30)… only to FINALLY realize that there is no magic angle. Rather than make a girl hit a mark - I let her 'do her own thing' and then make adjustments to manipulate it based on the results.. and finding a good opening (cringe) position often involves more than just stride foot orientation.

If you’ve been following this thread - or are a regular at DFP, you know that stabilizing and opening the torso is paramount to an efficient and safe arm circle. We need to reach an upper body position that effectively allows the humerus to elevate and rotate safely/freely – as the arm travels around the circle. That is it… the angle of your stride foot is contingent on what the rest of your body does... so that you can achieve this goal. There is no need to put a number on it – or a piece of tape on the ground at a preset angle… especially if it’s counter-productive to the ultimate goal. A 45-degree foot orientation is more often the wrong number than the correct one – as evidenced by the sheer number of top level pitchers that do not use it. If the visual evidence and practical application of stride foot orientation is not evidence enough for you… well… all hope isn’t lost… perhaps the next post will help…

End Part 1