Pitching Range of Motion

[chain220]

This is just a self discovered theory. I don't take pitching lessons, nor is pitching really my primary focus. I have the same problem throwing across the diamond, and just throwing in general as well. This video is at max effort.

The way I see it, it looks like I short arm my pitches, every time. I understand there are probably many mechanical flaws, I'm just focused on the arm action for now. It was suggested to me the the problem lies in a lack of external range of motion.. how should I go about fixing this if that actually is the problem? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[songtitle]

What would happen if you tried to keep your hand down by your knee as long as you can?

[chain220]

What would happen if you tried to keep your hand down by your knee as long as you can?

Um.. I'm not really sure. I'm gonna take that as a rhetorical question, and a suggestion. I feel like my arm tends to drag behind, the longer I leave it down. I'll give it a try, and potentially get some video of it.

[Jake Patterson]

Be careful with any advise you might receive. There is more going well than not. Your pronation is good.

[chain220]

Be careful with any advise you might receive. There is more going well than not. Your pronation is good.

Definitely, I always try to be.. but, I'm not quite sure what pronation is.

[Baseball gLove]

Definitely, I always try to be.. but, I'm not quite sure what pronation is.

Just make sure you focus on finishing your throws with your hand on top of the ball your thumb turning in and down. This makes for a great 2 seam fast ball. Do this even when throwing a curve or slider which would be similar to throwing football with a spiral. You need to use your legs more striding out as far as you can while being able to stay in control of your mechanics. Keep you front shoulder closed longer ( shoulders parallel with a line from pitching mound to home) until your glove-side foot lands. My sons keep their front elbow on their target until front foot plant. This is no substitute for going to a qualified pitching coach.

[chain220]

You need to use your legs more striding out as far as you can while being able to stay in control of your mechanics. Keep you front shoulder closed longer ( shoulders parallel with a line from pitching mound to home) until your glove-side foot lands. My sons keep their front elbow on their target until front foot plant.

I've taken this in, and focused on it and I feel as though it's helped me throw a little more loosely, and relaxed while still maintaining a decent velocity.

[omg]

This is just a self discovered theory. I don't take pitching lessons, nor is pitching really my primary focus. I have the same problem throwing across the diamond, and just throwing in general as well. This video is at max effort.

The way I see it, it looks like I short arm my pitches, every time. I understand there are probably many mechanical flaws, I'm just focused on the arm action for now. It was suggested to me the the problem lies in a lack of external range of motion.. how should I go about fixing this if that actually is the problem? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Yes, that's what I see. For some, it's just possible that that is the way it's going to be, that's the way you're going to throw. You might not be a pitcher and you might have to live with the throwing motion for your positional play-you adjust to it, you work around it by having good footwork, etc.

Having said that, long toss is not just for arm strengthening but it's for arm stretching/lengthening as well. So throwing longer distances, being careful not to overdo it, will definitely help. But it takes time and patience.

Remember to be natural when you throw-you're arm slot looks a little contrived liked you are trying to throw over the top or something. Also, short arming a little is not in and of itself always a bad thing. But I see what you are saying- it's not a smooth, effective motion.

[chain220]

Yes, that's what I see. For some, it's just possible that that is the way it's going to be, that's the way you're going to throw. You might not be a pitcher and you might have to live with the throwing motion for your positional play-you adjust to it, you work around it by having good footwork, etc.

I definitely understand that, I mean just look at Hunter Pence. I just thought there might be some drills or things I could focus on to help fix this "problem" (for lack of a better word).

Having said that, long toss is not just for arm strengthening but it's for arm stretching/lengthening as well. So throwing longer distances, being careful not to overdo it, will definitely help. But it takes time and patience.

I've been long tossing rather religiously during the Summer/Fall for the past two years (living in NY, can't really do much for long toss in the Winter).. and I can practically feel the difference when I get to the longer distances of my arm almost tightening up, and not being nearly as loose with my arm action.

Remember to be natural when you throw-you're arm slot looks a little contrived liked you are trying to throw over the top or something. Also, short arming a little is not in and of itself always a bad thing. But I see what you are saying- it's not a smooth, effective motion.

This is basically my exact thought on it. I always try to focus on keeping a smooth and natural motion when warming up and even at shorter distances. The clips in the video are from a showcase though, so it's at completely max effort trying to throw my hardest which apparently causes my arm to tense up.

[omg]

Yes, the old muscle-up, showcase, 3 advil throw. Always danger there.

As for drills, there are some figure eight drills, weighted ball or medi-ball drills, hanging/stretching from a bar. If you had the resources to have someone stretch you out manually I know that would help. Mainly, you have to increase the mobility in that area. A lot of work for potentially limited results.

[kylebee]

Try focusing on your glove arm and being more athletic. You are thinking far too much about checkpoints and what your arm should be doing rather than letting some athleticism take over.

Arm/brain therapy can effect some mechanical changes, but at your age, significant changes can be difficult. The good news is that all sorts of arm actions get it done in pro ball on the hill.