Pulling Down is Slowing Down
October 26, 2009
Alan Jaeger’s Long Toss program uses what he calls the “Pull down phase.” This is because after throwing the ball 300 feet in his “Air it out” program he wants you to pull down your delivery so you do not continue to launch the ball high as you move closer to 60 feet. The problem is this goes against the science of velocity.
Pitching velocity is the product of momentum and torque. You can read countless articles on this site about Momentum and Torque. Pulling the ball down during release prevents early internal rotation which is a key component to velocity as stated in the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) case study called Comparison of High Velocity and Low Velocity Pitch Deliveries.
Dr. Andrews case study states:
….the maximum shoulder horizontal adduction occurred later and maximum shoulder internal rotation occurred earlier at greater ball velocities.
Notice that Tim Lincecum, who’s fastball averages in the high nineties, proves this component in the case study true in his picture above. He is releasing the ball above his shoulder and head. He couldn’t release the ball any earlier than in his picture. There is no pull down phase in this high velocity delivery. Early internal rotation occurred because he has met ever component of greater ball velocity described in the ASMI case study. He has “less lead knee flexion velocity after front foot contact” which we find just before this image, “greater lead knee extension velocity at the time of ball release,” “Maximum shoulder external rotation” which also occurred before this picture and finally “forward trunk tilt at ball release.” Tim Lincecum is the epitome of this ASMI case study, especially early internal rotation.
To give an example of a pitcher who is fighting against his potential velocity by pulling the ball down to release would be this picture here. This happens because of a flaw in timing. When the front foot lands and momentum is slowing down then the arm must take over. The pitcher must pull the ball down to create more external rotation that was lost when his momentum slowed down. Momentum must accelerate all the way to ball release to support top velocity. Just like a plane taking off, momentum must not stop or velocity will suffer. In the case of pitching the arm suffers as well because this adds more wear and tear on the arm. Notice that both of these pitchers are almost in the exact same position but the pitcher here is releasing the ball in front of his face and his elbow has not extended. This tells me that his momentum has stopped and his arm is doing the majority of the work. This also means he created poor hip to shoulder separation at front foot strike which caused his arm to throw the ball too early in the delivery. The most important perspective of the ASMI Comparison of High Velocity and Low Velocity Pitch Deliveries is the timing of each component. If any of the four velocity components stated in the case study initiate too early then the proceeding component will not reach its maximum potential.
When you find yourself losing momentum and pulling the ball down to release you will notice that your ball pulls down as well as it reaches the plate but when you get early internal rotation you will notice that your ball jumps out of your hand and looks like it is rising as it reaches the plate. This is an increase in velocity. To prevent launching the ball high you must make sure you are achieving maximum forward trunk tilt at ball release.
When working to improve on these four components of velocity you must practice them in reverse not continuing until each component is mastered. This is the only way to develop top velocity and to break the conventional wisdom that says these mechanics can not be taught.
In conclusion, Alan Jaeger’s Long Toss program may sound good on video or his website but scientifically it fails. Next time you find yourself trying to pull the ball down at release to create velocity check your momentum because your velocity is slowing down.
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Loading ...Written by Brent Pourciau · Filed Under Pitching Articles
Tagged: adduction, alan jaeger, american sports medicine, American Sports Medicine Institute, asmi, case study, countless articles, dr. andrews, epitome, external rotation, fastball, high velocity, internal rotation, knee extension, knee flexion, nineties, sports medicine, sports medicine institute, tim Lincecum, velocities
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6 Responses to “Pulling Down is Slowing Down”
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Translation
[...] to extend up and away from your head with your fingers on top of the ball. Read the article “Pulling down is slowing down” to learn [...]
You seem to have mixed up cause and effect. Forward tilt results in higher velocity. The early release is simply a reaction to the forward tilt. When high velocity pitchers tilt forward they have to release the ball earlier to avoid throwing the ball into the ground.
Jaeger’s pulldown is essentially the tilt forward.
Are these your words or mine? “Forward tilt results in higher velocity. The early release is simply a reaction to the forward tilt. When high velocity pitchers tilt forward they have to release the ball earlier to avoid throwing the ball into the ground.”
You summarized what I said here in the article “Early internal rotation occurred because he has met ever component of greater ball velocity described in the ASMI case study. He has “less lead knee flexion velocity after front foot contact” which we find just before this image, “greater lead knee extension velocity at the time of ball release,” “Maximum shoulder external rotation” which also occurred before this picture and finally “forward trunk tilt at ball release.” Tim Lincecum is the epitome of this ASMI case study, especially early internal rotation.”
Unfortunately, you have mixed up your information by saying “Jaeger’s pulldown is essentially the tilt forward.” On Jaeger’s site describing his PULL DOWN PHASE he says:
“Where stretching out the arm creates warmth, length and extension, the pull down phase helps to generate arm speed, arm strength, lower release point and acceleration or “finish” through the release point.”
How would forward trunk tilt create a lower release point? Notice the picture of Tim Lincecum above. He couldn’t be releasing the ball any higher. It is also unfortunate that your statement that ” Jaeger’s pull down is essentially the tilt forward” is not supported by any information. I do not blame you for this because Alan Jaeger doesn’t put any scientific information on his website about his throwing mechanics. It is like he is teaching Voodoo. Yes, he has experience coaching his mechanics but NO, he has no scientific data supporting his philosophies. All of his information on his site is nothing but fluff. I will admit there is a lot of good coaches who can’t talk the game but can help a young athlete in his career. I guess Alan Jaeger is one of them because he does have a following. I just hope he isn’t full of you know what and he is taking advantage of his guys. I mean look at Zumaya! Jaeger hung his hat on him and he may have ruined his career.
Great points. I find your comments about Alan Jaeger interesting. As often seems to be the case, I think language has much to do with your concerns about Alan’s thoughts on “pulling down”. In my studies of Alan’s approach, I’ve found that he uses the term “pull down phase” for the time when the thrower comes back in from long tossing at maximum distance. My interpretation of Alan’s comment on “lower release point” is more in terms of helping the thrower find a release point that allows for the baseball to go lower (to the partner or in the strike zone) as opposed to actually physically releasing the baseball lower-his terminology appears to be flawed because, as you point out, this would actually inhibit velocity. Perhaps the terminology should be changed.
I also think it’s difficult to blame Alan for Joel Zumaya’s problems-in my opinion Zumaya’s high elbow raise (significantly above shoulder which research has shown places a higher degree of stress on the shoulder capsule and elbow) equates for his health issues. Zumaya has a flaw in arm action, and, as most will tell you, changing someone’s arm action is not only complicated, but often very unproductive. It appears Zumaya was willing to throw with this risk (and make millions of dollars) rather than change it for fear of losing his effectiveness (and not make millions of dollars).
I’m curious-have you ever talked to Alan about his use of terminology in terms of the pulling down phase and the release point? I can tell you that from the standpoint of a coach and a consumer that it doesn’t help to so openly bash others; rather I think it’s better to simply share your thoughts on development (which you have done admirably)-just my thoughts, you certainly don’t have to listen. I believe Alan to be a very good throwing coach, and I also find your thoughts very insightful and helpful; I actually find a lot of similarities between what you are saying and what I’ve heard Alan say. I just find these internet “battles” to be interesting because I often times learn that a phone call or personal visit has never occurred. I would love to see two bright minds like yourselves working together to promote effective throwing across the United States and beyond!
Ryan,
You should go into politics. You are well spoken and a good mediator.
I am hard on Alan Jaeger because he did contact me about my article on “Long Toss and the Placebo effect.” In his email he didn’t want to collaborate with me, he wanted only to threaten me to stop challenging his program. He has a big ego and he needs to be challenged. This is why I continue to challenge him. It is all in fun, like a good game of baseball!
I appreciate your perspective and opinions and I welcome you to post more comments!
Brent Pourciau
Brent,
I appreciate your response. That’s unfortunate. I appreciate your insights and look forward to continuing to follow your research. Thanks for your honesty.