By Nunzio Signore (BA, CSCS, CPT, NASM, FMS)
Whether we’re talking about throwing velocity on the mound or exit velocity at the plate, improving and better utilizing ground reaction forces with the lead leg 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 “3 Ways to Create A Better Lead Leg Block”
By Courtney Semkewyc (RPP Bio-mechanist Intern, PhD Candidate Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University)
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 “Knee Extension Angular Velocity… Your Landing Can Make Difference!”
By Nancy Newell (BS, Strength Coach at RPP)
Deceleration is the act of slowing down your body’s momentum. In biomechanics, deceleration 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 Decel?”
By Nunzio Signore (BA, CSCS, CPT, NASM, FMS)
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”
By Courtney Semkewyc (RPP Bio-mechanist Intern, PhD Candidate Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University)
In 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 “3 Key Factors in the Pitcher’s Kinematic Sequence”
By Nunzio Signore (BA, CSCS, CPT, NASM, FMS)
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. Learning the correct way to take care of your arm, shoulder and body as a pitcher should be a top priority, not only during the season but year-round as well. Continue reading “How’s the Band? 2 Reasons Why Band Work Can Get Ugly!”
By Mike Lembo (BS Exercise Science, Pitching Coordinator at RPP)
The Rapsodo Pitching camera provides an incredible amount of information by pitch type. Just as relevant, however, is how each individual pitch behaves versus the others. In evaluating our pitcher’s ball movement charts, we generally work with them to develop what we refer to as “clusters”. They form when a pitcher can consistently repeat the spin axis and direction by pitch type. Continue reading “Why “Clustering” Is Important for Pitchers”
By Nunzio Signore (BA, CPT, NASM, PES, FMS)
Most people who have observed our movement assessment and 4-camera video analysis believe it’s about as good as you can get. Now, with the addition of our Qualisys motion capture system it’s even better. The results speak for themselves. Continue reading “Bringing Mocap into the Trenches… Sometimes It’s What You CAN’T See”
By Michael Lembo (BS, Pitching Coordinator at RPP)
Pitch development is a big part of the overall training culture here at RPP. Once athletes have developed a good base of body awareness in the weight room as well as throwing volume it’s time to steer the focus on getting guys out. In other words, getting pitches to move while throwing strikes.
Seton Hall’s Brennan O’Neill came to us this July, during the summer unlike anything any of us have ever experienced before. However, even with a shortened period of time we managed to get a lot done. Continue reading “Pitch Design with Seton Hall’s O’Neill… How to Turn Good into Great”
By Nunzio Signore (BA, CPT, NASM, PES, FMS)
Earlier this year, we posted a 4-week throwing program for pitchers looking to maintain their arm health and capacity. The weekly programs include several throwing drills to help address mechanical issues and to develop more efficient movement patterns. Many of these drills have been made popular through the work of Ron Wolforth, Randy Sullivan, Tom House and Driveline Baseball to name a few. We’re not re-inventing the wheel here, just giving you our combination of what has worked for our athletes through trial and error over the years. They are as follows: Continue reading “Patterning an Efficient Delivery with Throwing Correctives”
