Whether we’re talking about throwing velocity on the mound or exit velocity at the plate, improving and better utilizing ground reaction forces with a lead leg block is paramount. Training the lead leg to both produce and accept force will help to create a stable base and facilitate hip and torso rotation up the chain. Continue reading “How to Create a Better Lead Leg Block”
A pitcher’s foot position at foot strike can provide a solid foundation to facilitate both knee extension and efficient transfer of energy. Foot strike is the moment a pitcher’s front foot makes contact with the ground and is the starting point of energy transfer up the kinetic chain. This energy is ultimately transferred to the ball at release, with efficient energy transfer being aided by the pitcher releasing over a firm front side. A firm front side provides lower body stability for proper upper body positioning through release. This stability is achieved by extending the front knee from foot strike to release and is why knee extension angular velocity at release is correlated with pitching velocity and an important metric to examine in pitchers.
Continue reading “Pitching Biomechanics: Front Foot Landing Can Make Difference!”
The following list of exercises (intermediate / advanced) go hand-in-hand with the article published by Inside Pitch Magazine in the January / February 2022 issue… Continue reading “Exercise Videos for Off-season Training (Intermediate / Advanced)”
The following list of exercises (novice) go hand-in-hand with the article published by Inside Pitch Magazine in the January / February 2022 issue… Continue reading “Exercise Videos for Off-season Training (Novice)”
The lead leg block is the act of slowing down your body’s momentum with your lead leg at landing. In biomechanics, deceleration and the lead leg block can be represented by peak changes in angular velocity. Think about your car. The gas pedal represents your drive leg at the start of the pitching delivery (power output) and the brakes represent your lead leg’s role at foot contact (power absorption and transfer of force). Let’s cover this in three parts:
Continue reading “Putting on the Brakes to Throw Gas… What is Lead Leg Block?”
On any given day you can log into your daily feed on Twitter and scroll through a plethora of verbal grudge matches between strength coaches, pitching/hitting coaches and movement gurus arguing. Yes, arguing and criticizing each other’s ideology about athletic performance and how to improve it. These verbal assaults are usually fueled by the fact that one individual’s concept, theory, protocol or whatever you choose to call it may not line up with another’s. In other words, “it’s different”. For those of you that have the insight to be able to “discuss” and not argue, this blog is not targeting you, however you may want to come along for the ride. Continue reading “How to Increase Athleticism… Develop Efficient Movement”
As we discussed in a prior article titled “4 Ways the RoboUmps Will Affect the Catcher Position“, with the introduction of all the new tech, Major League Baseball is in a constant state of fluidity. Although such changes may not directly impact younger ball players immediately, it’s only a matter of time before they trickle down, and the catching position is no exception. Below are 4 major topics and adjustments that the next generation of catchers will need to prepare for, in this new world of tech-driven baseball. Continue reading “4 Adjustments for the Next-Generation of Catchers”
In conducting a pitching biomechanics evaluation and assessing a motion capture session, one of the most important things to examine is the kinematic sequence. This consists of the angular velocities and corresponding timing of the pelvis, torso, shoulder, and hand. These angular velocities can reach speeds upwards of 5000 º/s, and as such cannot be measured through standard 2-D video analysis thus requiring a 3-D motion capture system. This simple graph below off our Qualisys Motion Capture system is key to determining how efficiently an athlete is transferring energy from the ground up, through their body, and into the ball.
Continue reading “Pitching Biomechanics: 3 Factors in Kinematic Sequence”
Let’s face it, everyone loves to throw hard, but we have to make sure we’re going about it the best and safest way possible. For pitchers and ball players, learning the correct way to perform baseball band workouts and take care of the arm, shoulder and body should be a top priority, not only during the season but year-round as well. Continue reading “2 Reasons Why Baseball Band Workouts Can Get Ugly!”
There are many ways to skin a cat, however, often one is the most efficient. Although each player’s swing looks different, great hitters achieve the same goal by putting their body in the best position to hit. Given the complex nature of hitting and its many co-dependent variables, hitting drills that help create efficient movements will make it easier to recreate a consistent motor pattern. Continue reading “3 Hitting Drills to Pattern an Efficient Baseball Swing”
