PHASE
Preliminary
Movements
DESCRIPTION
- The pitcher steps on the
mound, steadies himself/herself
and faces the catcher
-Arms are in front
#1 The line of C of G is through the base of
support.
#2 Turning sideways creates possibility of
using all available joints.
The pitcher coils his/her body
- Pitcher bends front knee while pivoting on back leg
- Hips rotate back
- trunk flexes lightly
- Arms begin to rise and shoulders rotate back
# 1 The pitcher moves to a less stable position on
one foot
#2&3 The pitcher coils the large joints first then
others
The pitcher uncoils his/her body
and pushes off the mound
-The coiled back leg begins to extend forward
-The pivot foot pushes against the ground and weight shifts
forward
-Hips rotate, shoulders rotate, elbow leads and extends and
the wrists flexes and pronates.
#1 Body moves away from center of gravity to
become unstable.
#2 Note the use of all the joints
#3 Note the use of the correct order of the joints
#5 The pivot foot pushes against rubber to move
body forward
#6 The free legs creates a angular impulse off the
longitudinal (pivot foot) axis of rotation. Arm also
creates angular impulse by being extended from the
shoulder.
The pitcher is in full extension
of body and limbs and the ball is
released.
-The throwing arm is extended above the shoulder and
slightly in front of the head and the back leg is fully extended.
- The trunk leans away from the throwing arm and the head
leans to the side away from the throw.
#2 &3 – Hips and arms have stopped at the proper
time to allow smaller joints to produce force. Fingers
(smallest joint) are last to touch the ball.
#5 Push off through the foot is complete, generating
forward movement
#6 The ball spin has been manipulated by directing
the force outside the axis of the ball
-The pitchers body is in a
position with 2 feet on the
ground and ready for a batted
ball
- The throwing arms continues to release across the body and
down. The velocity of the arm is dissipated over the greatest
time possible to prevent injury.
- The athlete continues to lean forward and ends in a standing
position but somewhat flexed
#1 The line of C of G falls through the base of
support as foot steps forward
#4 The force producing movements are dissipated
over the longest period of time so that injury does
not occur to the muscles
#7 The ball continues to spin all the way to the batter
based on the conservation of angular momentum
Force Producing
Movements
The Follow
Through
- Pitcher shoulders and body are turned sideways
PRINCIPLES
-Body is straight
Backswing or
Preparation
Movements
The Critical
Instant
KEY ELEMENTS