I would appreciate any help with this basic pitching question. I have followed this forum for a while, and am very impressed with the quality of the advice from the members.
From what I can figure out from this forum and my own observations, arm speed is probably the #1 contributor to ball speed. Another major contributor is lower body explosiveness (the leap), which is abruptly stopped, leading to a "chain reaction" resulting in arm whip. Internal rotation is also a significant contributor. Wrist snap is apparently not a significant contributor.
Is this about right, or am I missing something?
I have also read posts stating that genetics are improtant. How so?
Is arm/shoulder strength an important contributor to speed (one post suggested rowing exercises)?
It is fairly easy for me to understand why the taller pitchers like Monica Abbott and Jenny Finch might have an advantage in generating ball speed. It also seems logical that pitchers with more athletic builds (like the pitchers in the last 2 college world series championships) would throw harder - although I'm not sure how "strong" translates into "fast." It is harder for me to understand what forces are at work that allow a pitcher of average height (and slight build) like an Angela Tincher to throw 70mph.
I'm obviously not a pitching coach - I'm just a dad trying to figure this stuff out. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
David
From what I can figure out from this forum and my own observations, arm speed is probably the #1 contributor to ball speed. Another major contributor is lower body explosiveness (the leap), which is abruptly stopped, leading to a "chain reaction" resulting in arm whip. Internal rotation is also a significant contributor. Wrist snap is apparently not a significant contributor.
Is this about right, or am I missing something?
I have also read posts stating that genetics are improtant. How so?
Is arm/shoulder strength an important contributor to speed (one post suggested rowing exercises)?
It is fairly easy for me to understand why the taller pitchers like Monica Abbott and Jenny Finch might have an advantage in generating ball speed. It also seems logical that pitchers with more athletic builds (like the pitchers in the last 2 college world series championships) would throw harder - although I'm not sure how "strong" translates into "fast." It is harder for me to understand what forces are at work that allow a pitcher of average height (and slight build) like an Angela Tincher to throw 70mph.
I'm obviously not a pitching coach - I'm just a dad trying to figure this stuff out. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
David