http://topvelocity.net/how-a-bad-pitching-coach-can-ruin-a-good-pitcher/ Everything Pitching Velocity! Velocity Mechanics, Velocity Drills, Velocity Training and much more. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:51:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://topvelocity.net/how-a-bad-pitching-coach-can-ruin-a-good-pitcher/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Geoff Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:41:56 +0000 http://topvelocity.net/?p=1164#comment-532 Great work. I've studied Maddux's motion before, but I guess I never paid enough attention to the level of his elbow at that point. I just spent some time searching for an image of Maddux in the T, and I can only find a few examples where he is close to shoulder height with the elbow, but never level or above. I can't remember having my opinion changed this quickly on something that I think I'm fairly knowledgeable on. Thank you! Great work. I’ve studied Maddux’s motion before, but I guess I never paid enough attention to the level of his elbow at that point. I just spent some time searching for an image of Maddux in the T, and I can only find a few examples where he is close to shoulder height with the elbow, but never level or above. I can’t remember having my opinion changed this quickly on something that I think I’m fairly knowledgeable on. Thank you!

]]> http://topvelocity.net/how-a-bad-pitching-coach-can-ruin-a-good-pitcher/comment-page-1/#comment-531 Brent Pourciau Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:41:08 +0000 http://topvelocity.net/?p=1164#comment-531 <img title="GregMaddux_010" src="http://topvelocity.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/GregMaddux_010-300x275.jpg" alt="GregMaddux_010" width="200" height="175" /><img src="http://topvelocity.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/05-03-27-026Maddux-300x225.jpg" alt="05-03-27 026Maddux" width="225" height="175" /> I really appreciate the comment. You bring up an important issue. The best example of this argument is Greg Maddux who never actually gets in the T- Position. This is why he has been able to have such a long career. They have found that throwing the elbows above the shoulders cause more damage to the rotator cuff because of the clavicle impingement. Also mechanically it makes it harder to generate torque. Notice in the first pic of Greg here that his throwing elbow is back and down allowing his back hip to open to the target. If his throwing elbow was way above his shoulder then he would not generate as much torque in his core. Greg doesn't lift his elbow until his shoulders turn towards the target. You can see this in his next pic here. Therefore the T-Position is bad mechanics because it reduces core torque and it can cause more wear and tear on the rotator cuff. Read my article on the <a href="http://topvelocity.net/separation-the-safe-zone-and-the-power-curve/" rel="nofollow">safe zones of the arm</a> to understand this more.
I really appreciate the comment. You bring up an important issue. The best example of this argument is Greg Maddux who never actually gets in the T- Position. This is why he has been able to have such a long career. They have found that throwing the elbows above the shoulders cause more damage to the rotator cuff because of the clavicle impingement. Also mechanically it makes it harder to generate torque. Notice in the first pic of Greg here that his throwing elbow is back and down allowing his back hip to open to the target. If his throwing elbow was way above his shoulder then he would not generate as much torque in his core. Greg doesn’t lift his elbow until his shoulders turn towards the target. You can see this in his next pic here. Therefore the T-Position is bad mechanics because it reduces core torque and it can cause more wear and tear on the rotator cuff. Read my article on the safe zones of the arm to understand this more.

]]> http://topvelocity.net/how-a-bad-pitching-coach-can-ruin-a-good-pitcher/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Geoff Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:16:04 +0000 http://topvelocity.net/?p=1164#comment-530 Most of this looks good. It's possible that we may actually agree but that there is more information needed on one of your points. What is your beef with the t-position? Do you not want your pitchers to get their elbows to shoulder height? Personally, I think they should be getting to shoulder height at the same time. I think it encourages sound mechanic, and encourages good upper body rotation through the delivery. There is certainly a lot of misinformation out there that is used by pitching coaches, but I'm not sure I agree with this one point of yours. If you have a chance, let me know. Most of this looks good. It’s possible that we may actually agree but that there is more information needed on one of your points. What is your beef with the t-position? Do you not want your pitchers to get their elbows to shoulder height? Personally, I think they should be getting to shoulder height at the same time. I think it encourages sound mechanic, and encourages good upper body rotation through the delivery. There is certainly a lot of misinformation out there that is used by pitching coaches, but I’m not sure I agree with this one point of yours. If you have a chance, let me know.

]]>