Lift for Show, Load for Doe!
November 22, 2008
Ok, the leg lift isn’t only for “Show.” There is a lot of momentum that can be generated by the leg lift which transfers into velocity. The question is, how come pitchers who have big leg lift’s in the wind up, when pitching in the stretch have a lower leg lift, but still throw the same velocity? The answer is called the “Load.”
“Loading” is when the pitcher holds his weight back over his back leg, while his front side continues building momentum towards the target. This is why strong legs and core, produce powerful pitching. Look at Eric Gagne in this picture. He is squatting on his back leg, waiting for the perfect time to fire his shoulders and most of his body weight towards the target.
Velocity in the pitch is produced from two rotational pivots. The rotation of the hips, to the rotation of the shoulders. Tim Lincecum calls this the “Rubber Band.” Think of your core as the “Rubber Band.” Rotating on the shoulder and hip pivots would tighten the “Rubber Band.” This sounds a lot easier than it actually is to perfect. This is why a small amount of athletes can throw a baseball over 90 mph.
The importance of the “Load” is that it holds the weight back until the first pivot, the hips, are ready to build maximum torque. Triple extension in the back leg drives the momentum into front foot strike, forcing the hips to pivot. Then “Separation,” or “Scap Loading” must occur to build the torque. There is that word again “Loading”. Notice the pitcher here in this position. His hip rotation is now complete. It has built maximum torque. You can see this in the tightening of his “Rubber Band.” Notice his shirt is stretching like a rubber band would. Now, all that is left to do, is to fire the last pivot, the shoulders forward and then stabilize. Stabilization allows the momentum generated from the body to transfer to the ball.
If the pitcher didn’t “Load” his weight back, as his front side continued to build momentum and set the first pivot of the hips, then top velocity could never be achieved. It would also put more stress on the rotator cuff, because the torque would build more in the shoulders than the core.
The “Load” is also just as important for hitters to develop power. Notice this picture of A-Rod in the “Load” position. The difference is hitters are more compact because it is a defensive position instead of an offensive position, like pitching. Therefore, a hitter cannot have a long stride like a pitcher. This brings up another good point. A good stride is considered to be the length of your body height. The “Load” position also increases your stride. So when you here a Coach yell out that you need to stride out more, then you will understand that this means you are not “Loading.” The importance of the “Stride” is that it moves you closer to the plate, shortening the distance the ball must travel, which increases velocity and a good “Stride” gives you more time to build momentum.
In conclusion, the secret of the “Load” is that it may just be the key to developing top velocity. I would say that it is the key but I will leave this up to you. Here is a gallery of more pitchers in the “Load” position. View gallery here.
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Loading ...Written by Brent Pourciau · Filed Under Pitching Articles
Tagged: athlete, baseball, coach, er, eric gagne, es, foot strike, hip rotation, hips, legs, load, maximum, momentum, perfect time, pitch, pitchers, pitching, pivot, rubber band, separation, shoulders, squats, stabilization, stride, target, throwing, tim Lincecum, timing, torque, transfer, Velocity, weight
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- Brent Pourciau: I answered this question in comment 38. I said 1-2 mph but it would take a dynamic before... Read more
- mariners: yes.. but i’m asking if an increase in flexibility can add velocity to your ball. Also..... Read more
- Brent Pourciau: You should perform a good Dynamic and Static stretching routine before any event. Practice... Read more
- mariners: are you talking about stretching before a game?? Or gaining flexibility over time a long period... Read more
- Brent Pourciau: No not 8-10mph. 1-2 mph maybe but this is a sensitive issue. Cold static stretching has... Read more
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[...] the article “Lift for Show, Load for Doe” to learn more about the importance of [...]
[...] Once you learn these mechanics, then you must learn how to aim and shoot. Read my article “Lift for Show, Load for Doe” to understand “The Load” [...]
[...] or put your throwing arm in the red zone. If you focus on the back side it will make it easier to Load and build more momentum while you stay closed. Use Greg Maddux as a great [...]
[...] The Pros of Long Toss: It is a max effort exercise which is pushing the body to generate more force to the ball. If performed with total body mechanics, this can train and help develop the total body. Long toss mainly trains the “Load position.” [...]
[...] to make this adjustment. You will also need to understand how to finish your delivery from the “Load” position and most important you must work on this adjustment [...]
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[...] push to your slide which will build more momentum and increase your stride. Read my article “Lift for Show, Load for Doe” to learn more about the [...]
[...] position, you can build as much momentum as you do with a high leg lift. Read my article on “Lift for Show, Load for Doe” to understand more about the [...]
[...] The purpose of this drill is to enforce the “Load” position. To perform this drill you need a step or box about a foot high or higher based on your leg strength. The higher the lift, the stronger your legs must be to “Hold the Load.” To learn more about the importance of the “Load” position read this article “Lift for Show, Load for Doe.” [...]