Correct throwing mechaincs

[#14's_Dad]

I will get some video this weekend and post some Sunday or Monday, should I film head on or from the side facing their chest or both, what about filming facing their backs?

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Personally I get more information from a side view.

 

[Wellphyt]

Can someone post a video of correct throwing mechanics for outfielders, we are having our 2nd practice this saturday and I want to make sure I am teaching the correct mechanics. Should I videotape each player?

Thanks for your help, this site is always constructive for us volunteer coaches.

The basic mechanics for an outfielder and an infielder are the same. Meaning the throwing arm should not go to the vertical "L" position until the roll over of the front thigh directs it to. The arms break to a position that is close to horizontal and the elbows are bent. As FFS points out the movement is a combination of abduction and internal rotation. Bascially the "L" is on it's side rather than being vertical. The angle in the "L" can and likely will vary between outfielders and infielders. The reason is due to the fact that outfielders typically have longer strides than infielders. A straighter arm (never locked out), syncs up easier with a longer stride. The best way to understand the relationship between the stride length and the bend in the elbow, is to experiment with different combinations of stride lengths and elbow angles.

Most girls on your team probably break their hands and go right to the vertical "L" position. This is a very hard habit to break. The Nerf Footballs with a fin on one end will help give a visual. However even with those, it's a long process.

 

[Wellphyt]

Side view.

 

[tom.guerry]

another key point by Hodge is that internal rotation of the lead/glove arm is necessary to keep the lead shoulder from flying open. Best to get the video and follow along.

 

[Wellphyt]

another key point by Hodge is that internal rotation of the lead/glove arm is necessary to keep the lead shoulder from flying open. Best to get the video and follow along.

Do you know where to find the guy? I don't even remember his first name.

 

[tom.guerry]

I have lost track of Hodge (Jeff). He lived in Seal Beach SoCal when he worked as a postdoc rehab specialist for Dr Job's orthopedic practice at Centinella hospital in LA about 10-15 yrs ago when the videos were done.

FFS has the videos in digital files.

 

[whatsup]

...Why can't instruction be more geared to what we see here? Creating separation....

Love the way she throws. By "creating separation," you're referring to how the rotation of her hips precedes that of her shoulders?



Thanks.

 

[#14's_Dad]

Here is a video of our warm up, they were about 70'-75' apart during these throws.

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated

 

[Dragoncoach]

I do not like this video because what it teaches is based on myth not fact. This is another example of teaching an action based on how you think it is done not how it is actually performed. The only thing of value that it teaches is to get the fingers behind the ball at release so that the throw has good backspin. In reality you do not cock your wrist back and snap it forward yet I see this taught to girls all the time. I guess that it doesn't do a great deal of harm to teach throwing this way because instinct will overrule instruction or the body knows best and doesn't pay attention to what the mind is saying. You don't cock your wrist back to load it, the load takes place as the arm moves forward. Cocking the wrist back actually prevents loading. When a muscle contracts (the agonist) the corresponding muscle on the other side of the joint (the antagonist) relaxes, so when you deliberately cock your wrist back the muscle responsible for propelling the ball forward doesn't load it relaxes. The wrist snap itself is very limited, from load to release there is only about 30 degrees of forward motion followed by about 20 degrees after release, the wrist never actually 'folds over'.

Would you assume that this is true for windmill pitching or would you cue them to cock the wrist at 12 o'clock?