I teach girls to snap hard at the bottom of their pitch and the allow the arm to flow its natural direction in order to dissipate the energy without causing harm. Invariably the arm finishes accross the body and the wrist almost alays turns over to show fingers down and back of hand. The elbow may be bent but often is not. This is the same technique advocated by Doug Gillis who I think is a fabulous pitching instructor.
All pitches can be taught with this follow through, and NONE of my pitchers (about 150 over my 18 years) have ever had a sore shoulder from this. I have spoken with chiropractors as well, and they also concurr. The final piece of evidence was watching the US olympic pitchers. Jenny, Monica, and Cat all use the natural follow-thru.
So Why do so many pitching coaches still FORCE their clients to finish straight up with their arm...especially when almost every one of them has chronic shoulder pain????
All pitches can be taught with this follow through, and NONE of my pitchers (about 150 over my 18 years) have ever had a sore shoulder from this. I have spoken with chiropractors as well, and they also concurr. The final piece of evidence was watching the US olympic pitchers. Jenny, Monica, and Cat all use the natural follow-thru.
So Why do so many pitching coaches still FORCE their clients to finish straight up with their arm...especially when almost every one of them has chronic shoulder pain????