Pitchers hips?

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Jan 20, 2017
16
1
Midland, MI
A friend of mine was a World Class Men's pitcher and is now helping several pitches in the area develop as a pitcher in their own right. One of the college age kids said her personal pitching coach told her not to try and drive into the front leg and turn her hips as women have wider hips and this can cause damage to her shoulder. As she doesn't turn or snap her hips, she is struggling to throw the rise at the college level. Has anyone ever heard of this? In talking with a number of the premier mens pitchers, the hips were what determined spin, velocity, etc. I have looked at videos of Jenny, Monica, Cat and they all seem to drive the back hip (right hip for a RH pitcher) into the front leg. Any thoughts? By the way, the personal pitching coach was a successful statewide pitcher, who threw a drop and change only, not a Michael White, Mark Smith or Chuck D'Arcy type of pitcher.
 
Last edited:
Dec 8, 2015
249
18
Philadelphia, PA
A friend of mine was a World Class Men's pitcher and is now helping several pitches in the area develop as a pitcher in their own right. One of the college age kids said her personal pitching coach told her not to try and drive into the front leg and turn her hips as women have wider hips and this can cause damage to her shoulder. As she doesn't turn or snap her hips, she is struggling to throw the rise at the college level. Has anyone ever heard of this? In talking with a number of the premier mens pitchers, the hips were what determined spin, velocity, etc. I have looked at videos of Jenny, Monica, Cat and they all seem to drive the back hip (right hip for a RH pitcher) into the front leg. Any thoughts? By the way, the personal pitching coach was a successful statewide pitcher, not a Michael White, Mark Smith or Chuck D'Arcy type of pitcher, who threw a drop and change only.

Try Tincher Fluid Dynamics. Give one of their instructors a call and take an introductory lesson. They will explain the difference in men and women's physiology and why certain movements work better for men and certain movements work better for women. I'd try to explain, but I don't really remember everything, but the explanations made sense.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
Women carry the bulk of their muscle in their lower half, while men carry it above the waist. Point is proven in our basic shape. Hour glass vs. a V shape.....
The biggest muscle groups in the body are our legs. To suggest to not use them is nuts.
Those women you mentioned are elite level, best in the world.... they all use their legs. The contact with the hip is called brush interference, and is vital in creating speed, spin, and a consistent release point. You've got a lot of reading to do my friend!
Start with I/R in the classroom. Read it twice before moving on to drive mechanics and resistance.
Welcome to the board, and good luck in your "bucketdad" journey.
 
Jan 20, 2017
16
1
Midland, MI
Coach James, Thank you for your reply. I want to make sure I understand it correctly. You do believe a pitcher, man or woman, needs to use their legs and drive into the pitch with their hips? I'm not sure what the I/R is to start with in the classroom? I believe my friend has a good idea on drive mechanics and resistance as he was a pretty good international pitcher.
 
Apr 22, 2016
64
6
Texas
I have been working with my DD on using her hips as well. As Coach James mentions above, without them you are losing a lot of power. Our issue has been getting the hip in a position to use it. She has the tendency to leave behind her instead of letting it snap forward. The drive mechanics thread is full of some great information. Good luck!
 
Jan 20, 2017
16
1
Midland, MI
Thanks, I'll look for that drive mechanics thread. Seems like we are all on the same page as our concern was more on the girls having wider hips and driving the rear hip could possible damage her shoulder. Thanks, again.
 

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