Bad Mechanics is a sign of Muscular Weakness

February 10, 2009

texasAbove average coordination is a sign of fast twitch muscle strength. Fast twitch motor neurons recruit more muscle fibers. This means more control of the body and also more explosive power. The biggest problem for a pitching coach, when working with a pitcher who does not have good hip rotation or who does not load and build a full body stride, is that this is the result of poor core and leg strength and no mechanical drill will fix this problem. Drills only help pitchers who are having a hard time changing flawed muscle memory. It doesn’t help pitchers who have good muscle memory but poor muscle strength. This is why we have weight rooms. This is why any coach who tells you that weight lifting will NOT help you as a pitcher is clueless and is wasting your time and maybe even your money. A good strength and conditioning program that incorporates Olympic lifts, plyometric training and an intense speed training program is estiental to developing good pitching mechanics. Good athletes make good pitchers. Read more

Popularity: 45%

Post to Twitter

Increase Pitching Velocity

January 28, 2009

I get this question just about everyday, “How do I increase Pitching Velocity?” The problem is we all want more velocity but the majority of use do not know where it comes from and therefore are not willing to work for it. It is like that old saying by Joe Frasier – “Everyone wants to go to Heaven but Nobody wants to Die.!

Velocity is Speed! By saying, “I want to increase my velocity” is no different than saying,” I want to increase my 60 yard dash time” or “I want to increase my vertical jump.” If you want to throw harder you need to learn to move faster. Every professional ball player I have played with or had the opportunity to watch had some hidden explosive power within them. Read more

Popularity: 4%

Post to Twitter

Sprint Mechanics and the 40 yard Dash

August 24, 2008

by Chad Englehart

As a strength and conditioning professional one of the most prevalent questions we are asked is “Can I get my 40 yard faster and how fast can I be?” This question is easy to answer, for starters everyone can get faster because speed can be taught and how fast can an athlete become really depends on their genetic makeup. According to Brent McFarlane (1987) sprinting speed can be learnt through motor educability, he goes on to explain that the skills and techniques of sprinting must be rehearsed and perfected at slow speeds and then transferred to sprints at maximal velocity. Most of us know the definition of Read more

Popularity: 31%

Post to Twitter