The game of baseball has been immensely popular in the Americas for many years. As any fan can tell you, quality pitching is a major key to fielding a successful team. While some of this is dependent upon pure natural ability, pitching mechanics play a major role as well. Improving the technique of throwing the ball can enhance one's natural abilities while poor mechanics can limit the upside of even the most talented pitchers.
The first thing to understand is why pitching mechanics are even important. There are two main answers to this: performance and durability. Those with solid, efficient mechanics are likely to have better velocity and command of their pitches than those with poorer technique. This latter group will also be more likely to suffer injuries to the shoulder and elbow due to excess stress on these joints that is created by flawed techniques.
The motion of delivering a pitch is a very complex one that includes many moving parts and potential for errors. It is no easy task to learn the details well enough to effectively assess the mechanics of any pitcher, but it doesn't take an absolute expert to learn a few key points that can help any aspiring hurler.
Proper arm positioning is obviously a fundamental element in the process. It is also very detailed as well as controversial. Experts have varying ideas on what are the best positions for the throwing arm at various stages of the delivery. There are few major points that are more generally agreed upon and easier to assess for those with less experience and expertise.
The parts of the body that should be used to generate the majority of the force needed for a pitch are the legs and trunk. When the arm and shoulder are used too much in this regard, the result is decreased velocity and, all too often, a debilitating injury to the pitching arm. Conversely, good leg drive and use of the trunk results in faster pitches and less stress on the shoulder and elbow, which in turn means a lower risk of injury.
Maintaining good balance throughout the act of throwing is a key consideration as well. A delivery that has the body moving completely toward the target is more likely to result in good pitch location than one that has the pitcher falling off to one side. Remaining balanced also allows ones to use the legs and trunk effectively as discussed previously.
The ability to repeat one's delivery time after time is essential as well. A pitcher whose delivery is consistent with every pitch is much more likely to have good control than one whose motion varies considerably. Of course, it's important that the motion that is consistently repeated consists of proper mechanics as repetition of poor technique is asking for arm problems.
Watching video of successful major league pitchers will make it apparent that there is no one right way when it comes to pitching mechanics. The details of this depend on each individual player but the basics are the same for everyone.
The first thing to understand is why pitching mechanics are even important. There are two main answers to this: performance and durability. Those with solid, efficient mechanics are likely to have better velocity and command of their pitches than those with poorer technique. This latter group will also be more likely to suffer injuries to the shoulder and elbow due to excess stress on these joints that is created by flawed techniques.
The motion of delivering a pitch is a very complex one that includes many moving parts and potential for errors. It is no easy task to learn the details well enough to effectively assess the mechanics of any pitcher, but it doesn't take an absolute expert to learn a few key points that can help any aspiring hurler.
Proper arm positioning is obviously a fundamental element in the process. It is also very detailed as well as controversial. Experts have varying ideas on what are the best positions for the throwing arm at various stages of the delivery. There are few major points that are more generally agreed upon and easier to assess for those with less experience and expertise.
The parts of the body that should be used to generate the majority of the force needed for a pitch are the legs and trunk. When the arm and shoulder are used too much in this regard, the result is decreased velocity and, all too often, a debilitating injury to the pitching arm. Conversely, good leg drive and use of the trunk results in faster pitches and less stress on the shoulder and elbow, which in turn means a lower risk of injury.
Maintaining good balance throughout the act of throwing is a key consideration as well. A delivery that has the body moving completely toward the target is more likely to result in good pitch location than one that has the pitcher falling off to one side. Remaining balanced also allows ones to use the legs and trunk effectively as discussed previously.
The ability to repeat one's delivery time after time is essential as well. A pitcher whose delivery is consistent with every pitch is much more likely to have good control than one whose motion varies considerably. Of course, it's important that the motion that is consistently repeated consists of proper mechanics as repetition of poor technique is asking for arm problems.
Watching video of successful major league pitchers will make it apparent that there is no one right way when it comes to pitching mechanics. The details of this depend on each individual player but the basics are the same for everyone.
