Simo
Former High School Coach
Simple Geometry
I aplogize if this has been addressed, but I did not go through the multitude of posts already posted.
Rather than go over all the things that contribute to speed, I will share something that I do with all my pitchers, regardless of ability. Measure their arms from the shoulder to the palm. Calculate the optimal circle and demonstrate the impact on speed when the pitcher does not optimize the circle. You will be amazed how much speed is lost when a pitcher does not optimize the rotation. It easily can be a loss of 10-15% off the top end with bad mechanics. Or simply, a pitcher with the potential for 60MPH could be throwing in the mid 50's with poor mechanics, all other things being equal.
A simple way to demonstrate this is to have them hold a ball in their hand with their arm fully extended. Have them rotate in small circles and try to throw the ball to you. Starting with a diameter of about a foot, even the strongest pitcher will not be able to throw the ball much farther than a few feet. Have them increase the circle diameter gradually to see the impact (make sure you back up accordingly as not to get surprised as the ball will take off commensurate with the diameter).
Another drill I do to illustrate the point is a simple game of crack the whip. This illustrates that it does not take a lot of rotation at the shoulder to create tremendous speed. I become the pivot point and rotate very slowly (or so it seems). Then you take the hand of the first girl and have her run around you, followed by several others. By the time the fifth girl joins in, she cannot keep up any longer. The point again is that the pivot point did not speed up. The only thing that changed was the distance from the pivot point, illustrating that good mechanics and opitimzing the circle may be as important as anything else you do. It also drives home a positive message that you can increase your speed and good methods overcome unfulfilled potential.
I aplogize if this has been addressed, but I did not go through the multitude of posts already posted.
Rather than go over all the things that contribute to speed, I will share something that I do with all my pitchers, regardless of ability. Measure their arms from the shoulder to the palm. Calculate the optimal circle and demonstrate the impact on speed when the pitcher does not optimize the circle. You will be amazed how much speed is lost when a pitcher does not optimize the rotation. It easily can be a loss of 10-15% off the top end with bad mechanics. Or simply, a pitcher with the potential for 60MPH could be throwing in the mid 50's with poor mechanics, all other things being equal.
A simple way to demonstrate this is to have them hold a ball in their hand with their arm fully extended. Have them rotate in small circles and try to throw the ball to you. Starting with a diameter of about a foot, even the strongest pitcher will not be able to throw the ball much farther than a few feet. Have them increase the circle diameter gradually to see the impact (make sure you back up accordingly as not to get surprised as the ball will take off commensurate with the diameter).
Another drill I do to illustrate the point is a simple game of crack the whip. This illustrates that it does not take a lot of rotation at the shoulder to create tremendous speed. I become the pivot point and rotate very slowly (or so it seems). Then you take the hand of the first girl and have her run around you, followed by several others. By the time the fifth girl joins in, she cannot keep up any longer. The point again is that the pivot point did not speed up. The only thing that changed was the distance from the pivot point, illustrating that good mechanics and opitimzing the circle may be as important as anything else you do. It also drives home a positive message that you can increase your speed and good methods overcome unfulfilled potential.
