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.
Evaluating a pitcher's mechanics takes a good bit of training as this is a complex task with many details that need to be taken into consideration. Professional pitching coaches have trained for years to be able to do this, but just about anyone can learn a few basics to get started in the right direction.
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.
While throwing a ball is generally thought of to be performed with the arm, to be done well it must begin with the legs and trunk. Throwing mostly with the effort of the arm results in decreased effectiveness and a much higher risk of suffering an arm injury. On the other hand, good use of the legs and trunk to generate force that is transferred to the arm is a key in both throwing with more velocity and with less risk of arm injuries.
Another important point is balance. A pitcher who is falling off to one side is likely to have more problems with controlling his pitches than one who is balanced and minimizing lateral movement. Starting the motion in a balanced state and remaining this way throughout the entire process also relates to the previous point in that the legs and trunk can be used more and the arm can be used less.
One often overlooked aspect is repeatability. Using perfect mechanics on one pitch and poor ones on the next is not much better than always using poor ones. A good pitcher or coach knows that the more regular and consistent the movements associated with the throw are, the better the pitcher's control will be. And if these movements are in the range of what is considered to be proper, the greater the chances of remaining healthy and able to pitch.
As one can see from watching successful pitchers, there is no magic formula for a perfect pitching mechanics. Variations in body types mean that each player's style will be somewhat different but the fundamentals remain the same for all.
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.
Evaluating a pitcher's mechanics takes a good bit of training as this is a complex task with many details that need to be taken into consideration. Professional pitching coaches have trained for years to be able to do this, but just about anyone can learn a few basics to get started in the right direction.
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.
While throwing a ball is generally thought of to be performed with the arm, to be done well it must begin with the legs and trunk. Throwing mostly with the effort of the arm results in decreased effectiveness and a much higher risk of suffering an arm injury. On the other hand, good use of the legs and trunk to generate force that is transferred to the arm is a key in both throwing with more velocity and with less risk of arm injuries.
Another important point is balance. A pitcher who is falling off to one side is likely to have more problems with controlling his pitches than one who is balanced and minimizing lateral movement. Starting the motion in a balanced state and remaining this way throughout the entire process also relates to the previous point in that the legs and trunk can be used more and the arm can be used less.
One often overlooked aspect is repeatability. Using perfect mechanics on one pitch and poor ones on the next is not much better than always using poor ones. A good pitcher or coach knows that the more regular and consistent the movements associated with the throw are, the better the pitcher's control will be. And if these movements are in the range of what is considered to be proper, the greater the chances of remaining healthy and able to pitch.
As one can see from watching successful pitchers, there is no magic formula for a perfect pitching mechanics. Variations in body types mean that each player's style will be somewhat different but the fundamentals remain the same for all.
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