4 Phrases to Pitch By
January 4, 2010
(Click Here for a 3-page .pdf of this newsletter)

Phrase #1: "The Quicker You Go, the Harder You Throw"

I wrote a newsletter on 10 ways to increase velocity based on this 2008 study:

The #1 factor affecting velocity was body mass:

REMEMBER: Momentum = Mass x Velocity.

As your momentum increases, so will your velocity.

So...USE YOUR HIPS!!!!!

Phrase #2: "Keep Your Head Straight to Get Closer to The Plate."

The National Pitching Association states that every inch your head drops during the pitch costs you 2 inches of release point.

Why? When your head drops, you decrease your momentum and shorten your stride.

According to this 2004 study:

Head drop ALSO decreases both accuracy and velocity and this was seen most in pitchers with balance points, causing the researchers to conclude:

Phrase #3: "Don't Tilt and Bend. Rotate and Extend."

Many coaches still use the following phrases

"Follow through" / "Finish your pitch" / "Grab some dirt"
"Throw over the top" / "Get on top of the ball"

But this leads many kids to pitch like this:

These terms cause the back to bend too early and the shoulders to tilt and increase elbow strain.

The 2008 study also found quicker shoulder turn to increased velocity ("increased upper trunk rotation velocity"):

Turn the shoulders (DO NOT tilt them) and extend the back helps maximize velocity:

Phrase #4: "'Hit the Wall' to have control of the ball. "

Just as hitters have a strong front leg when hitting:

Pitchers MUST have a strong front leg when they pitch. This 2012 study:

Showed that pitchers put TWICE their body weight on their front leg:

and pitchers with stronger front legs had higher velocities:

Have A Question About This Newsletter?
Call (631-352-7654) or Email (PitchingDoc@msn.com)
Dr. Arnold!