dimanche 2 juin 2013

The Importance Of Good Pitching Mechanics

By Rena Hudson


Sometimes referred to as America's Pastime, baseball is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. One of the most important components to building a competitive team is to have a solid pitching staff. Some are blessed with pure natural talent when it comes to throwing effectively while others may have to get by on lesser abilities. Regardless of the talent level, using good pitching mechanics can be an essential part of having a successful and healthy career as a hurler.

There are two primary reasons why pitching mechanics are important. The first is related to performance in that an efficient, solid delivery is likely to result in better command of one's pitches and can also help to generate more velocity. The second reason is related to injuries. Poor mechanics can increase the amount of stress on the body, particularly on the shoulder and elbow of the throwing arm, resulting in a higher chance of suffering an injury.

The motion of delivering a pitch is a very complex one that includes many moving parts and potential for errors. It is no easy task to learn the details well enough to effectively assess the mechanics of any pitcher, but it doesn't take an absolute expert to learn a few key points that can help any aspiring hurler.

The proper positioning of the throwing arm throughout the entire motion is not easily defined. In fact, there is no complete consensus as to what exactly are the best positions in this complex process. Before moving on to such a difficult aspect, one needs to have a basic understanding of some fundamental points that are more agreed upon.

As with many movements in sports, throwing a ball begins with the legs. If the majority of the effort is made with the shoulder and arm, the result will be decreased speed and a greatly increased risk of injury. A strong leg drive will allow one to generate more force in the motion. This obviously leads to pitches with greater velocity. Furthermore, it reduces the amount of work that needs to be done with the upper extremities, reducing the risk of getting hurt.

Another important point is balance. A pitcher who is falling off to one side is likely to have more problems with controlling his pitches than one who is balanced and minimizing lateral movement. Starting the motion in a balanced state and remaining this way throughout the entire process also relates to the previous point in that the legs and trunk can be used more and the arm can be used less.

How well the player is able to repeat the proper mechanics is of utmost importance. Variations in the delivery will lead to problems with command as well as potentially causing injury. It is essential, however, to be repeating the motion utilizing sound principles; repeating a poor motion is good for neither one's performance nor for the health of one's arm.

No two players are exactly alike and thus there is no one-size-fits-all answer for what constitutes perfect pitching mechanics. Despite this fact, these fundamental aspects can be useful for all.




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