Transitioning from No Backswing to Backswing

Back swing is pretty much "style" IMO.. Amanda Scarborough's pitching motion video is used a lot because the quality high speed camera lets you see everything super clear and her mechanics are really sound but I always tell people don't copy the back swing...it's almost perpendicular to the ground at its height but most pitcher "we" tout have a back swing component of some kind. I'm not going the road of why it is not as prevalent in the men's game...I'm not an expert I'm only letting others observe what I observe. The Hansen principle in effect for every other aspect we deal with on this site not sure why this topic should be different but it has been in the past...I think we can call it style choice and just move on.

I'll be honest, I'm a back swing proponent because in simplest terms I feel it helps with overlap, keeps the shoulders square, helps with glove side involvement, glute engagement and general inertia build...HOWEVER...I do appreciate the no back swing approach and can see the benefits...

Before you pound me for not taking a firm stance...

To some extent, I agree the back swing is style BUT there is one other consideration that I don't believe has been thrown into the ring...

Timing...

If you add\subtract a back swing there are timing elements that can be disrupted or improved. The "delay" a back swing can add can give the rest of the body "time" to get "in order" to appear "smoother." Likewise that "delay" a back swing adds CAN make a smooth motion look herky jerky. Because there is no "absolute" here, it falls into the "style" category IMO.

Does that help make sense of my definite maybe response?

I would look at things like overlap with\without a back swing, overall drive out distance from the plate with\without and throwing posture with\without to see what fits best.

CP

Can’t leave out Osterman, Tincher and Thorson!

An explosive drive can be best described as a one-step sprint. When you start a sprint, your arm will naturally want to go back. I take the position why fight it?

I understand and appreciate the whole hide the ball idea. I just don't see the practical results behind the idea.

I think Hillhouse's thought is to conserve as much energy as possible, if it does not have a direct effect on pitch do not do it.

Sorry if I misstated this.

Ken B said:

Can’t leave out Osterman, Tincher and Thorson!

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Just cause you asked..hopefully you didn't post pics already for some reason my computer blocks certain pics and gifs

quincy said:

I think Hillhouse's thought is to conserve as much energy as possible, if it does not have a direct effect on pitch do not do it.

Sorry if I misstated this.

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Look at how big the back swings are on our model pitcher now here is Kelly Barnhill..another model pitcher for another reason. Again....let's use Hansen only; not passion or what you "think" but what you actually see. I "think" there is a reason she doesn't use a bigger back swing but regardless of what I "think" your eyes tell you she doesn't use the same size back swing as others...I'll let you draw you own conclusions about where her energy comes from....but then again maybe all these other pitchers are doing it all wrong.

DNeeld said:

An explosive drive can be best described as a one-step sprint.

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Even better: a 2 Step sprint!