

19Ī, components of the throwing motion as viewed from the front (home plate): windup (a, b), early cocking/stride (c), late cocking (d), acceleration (e), deceleration/follow-through (f, g) B, the throwing motion viewed from the side: windup (a-c), early cocking/stride (d, e), late cocking (f, g), acceleration (h-j), deceleration (k), follow-through (l-n). 18 In previous work, Kibler and Chandler calculated that a 20% decrease in kinetic energy delivered from the hip and trunk to the arm requires a 34% increase in the rotational velocity of the shoulder to impart the same amount of force to the hand. 10, 12, 18 Scapular dysfunction prohibits optimum energy transfer. 1 The scapula is key in facilitating this energy transfer distally to the hand. The legs and trunk serve as the main force generators of the kinetic chain. 27 The windup and stride position the lower extremity and trunk for the most effective performance of the kinetic chain. Each segment starts as the adjacent proximal segment reaches top speed, culminating with top speed of the most distal segment. 10, 12, 17, 22 These phases are intricately coupled, resulting in efficient generation and transfer of energy from the body into the arm and, ultimately, the hand and ball. The pitching motion consists of 6 phases ( Figure 1): windup, early cocking/stride, late cocking, acceleration, deceleration, and follow-through. The Kinetic Chain’s Involvement in the Pitching Motion

The scapula acts synchronously with the rotator cuff to maintain the glenohumeral center of rotation within a physiologic range during the pitching motion. This integrated effort relies on the trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapulae, and serratus anterior muscles for stabilization, positioning, and synchronous scapular motion. 26 An intricate relationship between the dynamic stabilizers (rotator cuff, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi) and static stabilizers is required to simultaneously supply the range of motion, force, and stability of the glenohumeral joint. 8, 21 Extreme degrees of external rotation of the shoulder, coupled with forward linear trunk motion, allow a greater distance for the accelerating force to be applied to the ball, generating top velocity. 7 Maximum humeral internal rotation velocity during throwing may reach 7500 to 7700 degrees per second. The time elapsed between front foot contact and ball release is only 0.145 seconds, 30 followed by an additional half second for the ball to reach home plate. The extremely rapid rate of this motion makes assessment difficult. Coordinated lower extremity muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, hip internal and external rotators) provide a stable base for the trunk (core musculature) to rotate and flex. The lower extremity and trunk generate and transfer energy to the upper extremity. The effective synchronous use of selective muscle groups maximizes the efficiency of the kinetic chain ( Table 1). 14 April 2020.The overhand pitching motion consists of a sequence of body movements that start when the pitcher lifts the lead foot, progresses to a linked motion in the hips and trunk, and culminates with a ballistic motion of the upper extremity to propel the ball toward home plate. Even if they're not great at pitching, they should tell themselves, "I can pitch, and if my coach needs me to pitch, I will!" X Expert Source Isaac Hessīaseball Coach & Instructor Expert Interview.

For example, if you’ve got a teenager who’s just learning the proper throwing motion, whenever they make a mistake and send a wild throw, try saying something like, “Not bad! You’ve got the right idea, but what you want to focus on is releasing the ball at right time.” Then, you can show them the right technique and let them try again.

Be patient with them, everyone is going to make mistakes at first! X Research source Make gentle corrections to older kids and adults so they don’t get discouraged. Refrain from correcting younger kids around age 6 or 7 too much and have them focus on just throwing and having fun. Keep it fun and be patient with your throwers.
