Drive Mechanics

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Jul 17, 2012
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Not condemning getting open... that's important, to a literal 'degree'... but I will not ever support staying open...
I'm not suggesting "Staying Open"..... I'm all for taking advantage of the rotational force of the torso and shoulders, but also truly believe that the hips cannot be perpendicular to the target line at release. I would think that a 45 or so degree angle would be optimal, as you want to release the ball during the rotation.... not before or after.
 

javasource

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

Is this a loaded question?! ;) What are you asking my opinion on, specifically?

At that moment in time, the stride leg extension looks good. Shoulders look good... knee looks good... If this is her maximum leg extension, that is within her means, too.

As to what came before or after... I've no opinion... cause I can't remember or haven't seen it... But, I swear I've seen this picture or video before... is this your dd?

And, I know you're not against closing, Rope... just adding to your comment, that's all.
 
Jul 17, 2012
1,091
38
LoL.. Not loaded at all... It's a still frame...you showed a bunch of pitchers in the 3:00 position... just curious if you would think "good" or "bad". Yeah... my DD.
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
The one question that I had when looking at this still is more in regards to her timing. Typically - but not always - the thigh starts the internal rotation at 3 o'clock... and being that her thigh is still 'forward', I wonder if she's a little late 'over' the circle...

Based on your DD's apparent athleticism (elevation & extension), the ball should be closer to 4 - or pointing at her foot, at this 'moment in time'. Just a hunch... No biggie...
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Internal Rotation of the Thigh & Foot

As noted in the quote from the last main post, the foot lands within a 30-degree range of internal rotation. Far too often, a young pitcher that exhibits poor stride mechanics, will step/stride with an internally rotated foot/thigh towards their target. This pre-maturely opens the hips/shoulders, prevents the glutes and hamstring from achieving stretch, and de-stabilizes the scapula (most of the time). I’m not a fan of, nor would I recommend this method. The stride leg foot should remain pointed up UNTIL maximum leg-extension is reached.

Once the stride reaches a controlled maximum extension, the foot and thigh should internally rotate. This is easy to instruct, and is often referred to by me as setting the angle of the stride foot. I prefer a 30-45-degree angle of plant. If it’s much less, that 320 pound monster will often diffuse up the shin and into the patellar region of the knee. If the angle is greater, that 320 pound monster will act severely on the ankle and knee ligaments/musculature. In addition, less of the energy is absorbed by the knee, quads, and hips… and the result is usually a pelvic tilt. This appears as ‘butt out’ or 'chest out' to let the ball pass by…

The inward rotation of the thigh and foot (setting the stride angle) will also coincide with the drive foot leaving the rubber - and is an easy visual to pick up on.

Here are some of the best internally rotating their leg… there are a total of 6 frames - pay attention to:
  • Frame 1 - Shoulders are closed, hips are starting to open as a RESULT of stride leg extension.
  • Frame 2 – The stride thigh starts to internally rotate. As this is a chained sequence, you’ll see that the shoulders don’t really adjust at the same time, but you'll see it in the next frame.
  • Frame 3 – Pitchers have all passed 3, and their feet ALL leave the plate - as a result of forward momentum, but also the internal rotation of the front leg moving the rear leg. The thigh internal rotation has now greatly influenced the shoulders. The stride angle has been ‘set’ with the foot.
  • Frame 4 – The humerus is one frame from complete elevation, and as such the shoulders are one frame from their most open position.
  • Frame 5 – 12 o’clock. The shoulders will NOT move position between this frame and the next. This is the stabilization of the scapula that I’ve mentioned repeatedly. Stride angles are still the same, and stride foot is near the ground. This is a weightless movement and good core strength is needed to control it... as well as proper body positioning/posture.
  • Frame 6Rear thigh/hip adduction torque. This is what JJ was asking about… earlier on… Remember, this adduction and internal rotation of the hips is NATURAL, and is exactly what the legs want to do on their own (achieve 'neutral' position). The goal is to allow for this NATURAL motion to occur – by making sure the rear leg has NOT abducted and externally rotated too far – and by keeping the pitcher from over-striding.

    The further the feet are away from the core, the harder it is to control there proximal counterparts (thigh). You’ll also notice that the shoulder line angle did not move. The rear hip internal rotation will adjust the stride foot angle in many pitchers, and as such you’ll see movement in the hip. Ueno is the best reference of this… as I cut out the next frames of the other pitchers in an effort to make the frames match…

Watch this forever looping gif over and over and make note of the points above:

9vic8m.gif


The focus of this post is on ALLOWING internal rotation of BOTH thighs to occur. This is not something I believe you teach… but more of something you prevent from NOT occurring. Take a look at these pictures of a couple local pitchers… one of which I’ve acquired recently…

synt46.jpg

If I didn't tell you this was a RHP, you might assume it was a lefty...

xas478.jpg

RHP, too.

Aside from the first being an incredibly illegal pitch (yes, the rear foot is airborne that much...) notice how the rear foot & thigh have turned out (externally rotated) towards second. This is a result of: opening too much (too early AND too severe of a plant angle). Neither of them benefit from the thigh adduction/internal rotation – because they simply cannot. Don’t believe it? Stand up, get in one of these positions and try to adduct/internally rotate the thigh. It’s not too easy, huh?

So, in order to achieve this hip adduction torque, the body needs to be in the right positionnot over-extended and not open too much. Watch the plant angle, controlled stride extension, and rear foot position in these pitchers… and then watch for the start of the adduction sequence (rear thigh internally rotates)…

24nfw2x.gif


Next up… Touchdown!!!
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
^^^^
Post of the year!! JS- this is exactly what I was looking for to give me direction and food for thought about this complicated and timing sensitive part of the motion. It is easy to see the time, thought, and attention to detail you put into this. There are many DVDs out there on pitching mechanics that do not have as much value combined as this single free post. Much appreciated.
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
The more I look at the last gif of the rear hip internal rotation, the more I see it as the same ( or very similar) as the rear hip action in swinging a bat. Not that it surprises me that much since it makes perfect sense, The legs and hips don't have a lot of choices in how to generate power for the upper body, it's kind of their way or the highway, but I never figured they would be so strikingly similar.
 
Jul 26, 2010
3,567
0
Great post JS! I see a lot of the "backwards" pitchers as well, and I think you did a great job explaining in detail the proper sequence. Delaying the turning over of the hips and concentrating on the knee drive towards the pitcher has really helped. I've even had to go so far as to assign hip-flexor exercises to some students who lacked the strength to do this and were relying on momentum and rotation too much.

-W
 

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