3X Pitching and the Timing Factor
May 16, 2010
Triple Extension or 3X is the extension of the drive leg ankle, knee and hip flexor. Triple Extending the drive leg drives the hips completely through to the target. If triple extension occurs quick enough and with enough force at the end of the stride while the shoulders stay closed and relaxed, this will create optimal separation in your core. The NPA’s (National Pitching Association) velocity case study of 2006 proved that elite pitchers who throw 90 plus mph get up to 60 degrees of hip to shoulder separation at front foot strike. Therefore if you are going to increase velocity you must learn to increase hip to shoulder separation by learning triple extension. Once you learn how to incorporate full triple extension into your pitching delivery, you will not see its benefits until you master the final factor. The final factor in learning any new muscle memory is the timing factor. The timing factor of triple extension is critical to creating 60 degrees of hip to shoulder separation and increasing velocity. Read more
Popularity: 8%
The Phenomenon of Speed Mechanics!
January 9, 2010
We have all heard about the importance of Momentum in pitching but do we really know what it means? Velocity is a product of Momentum and Rotational Torque. I believe that Top Velocity is achieved when both rotational torque and momentum meet. The problem is we all understand rotational forces when throwing but momentum seems to be a lot harder to truly understand and implement into our deliveries. To truly understand Momentum, I have coined a new term, along with its description. Read more
Popularity: 15%
The Secrets behind throwing hard!
July 10, 2009
What do hard throwers do different than you?
Dr. James Andrews at ASMI put together a study of low velocity pitchers to high velocity pitchers to determine the difference in pitching mechanics. It was a good feeling after reading this study because the same information coming from Dr. Andrews is the same information Top Velocity has been preaching for years. It proves why I overcame a rotator cuff tear and was able to reach 94 mph on my fastball post surgery. Read more
Popularity: 22%
Does velocity come from the arm or the body?
April 16, 2009
The arm throws the ball but does it generate the velocity in a 90+ mph fastball?
This question can stir up a big argument but there is only one answer. The arm does not generate the velocity. It only guides the pitch. Therefore the arm must follow the body and does not come into play until the body has done its job. Read more
Popularity: 28%
The Split Perspective of Separation
February 17, 2009
Separation is a major component to developing top velocity and longevity. Separation means having separation from your back hip to back shoulder. Notice the picture here of Felix Hernandez. His back hip is pointing towards home plate and his back shoulder is pointing towards second base. This creates torque in the core. You can see the stretching in his jersey around the stomach area. Having more torque in the core instead of the shoulder of the arm will lead to more velocity and a healthier arm. Read more
Popularity: 39%
The Hip Slide to Pitching Velocity
February 12, 2009
The biggest problem I find in young pitchers is that they have poor separation in hips to shoulders. There are many articles on this site covering the pitching component “Separation.” It is so important because having separation from your back hip to back shoulder before the shoulders rotate to the plate, is critical for velocity and the health of your arm. What “Separation” does is it builds core torque. It puts more torque in the big muscle groups of the core, instead of mainly in the small muscle groups of the shoulder. Read more
Popularity: 47%
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 hips and then his shoulders. Read more
Popularity: 44%
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