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SEQUENCE OF DELIVERYVelocity determined by sequenced movement
If a pitcher wants to improve his throwing velocity...whether he is a 9 year old or a 19 year old, he must make sure he is using his body correctly in the right sequence in order to transfer maximum force to the ball.
Using the body correctly to produce proper pitching mechanics and maximum force requires that all the joints of the body are used in proper sequence or with good timing. This is often referred to as sequential joint action.
Tim Lincecum, the Giant's RH, at 5'10" 170 lbs. can throw a baseball 100 mph. But how does he do it? Lincecum himself says he uses his body to produce velocity while his arm is along for the ride.
Why Tim Lincecum Uses An Extremely Long Stride
In the case of Lincecum he uses a powerful lunge type movement into a long stride (120% of his height) so that his body is producing maximum force while his arm gets involved in the pitch as late as possible.
When a pitcher's arm becomes involved in the pitch too early by taking the ball out of the glove before the lead leg is down and already into the stride this will prevent the arm from gaining maximum force.
Beginning pitchers especially need to learn how to lunge toward the plate or shift their weight forward before their hips and trunk begin to rotate. If they begin rotating or turning too early they lose force and actually add stress to their arms.
However, it is important to ensure that pitchers are not dropping and driving to the plate. Driving to the plate, in an effort to push and gain maximum velocity, can produce negative results because the arm is not unison with the body. Pitchers must possess the proper lower half strength to drive towards the mound with their upper body being supported by their abdominal muscles. The more strength the core can decelerate, the longer the stride can be. This common misconception that pitchers must drive to the mound oftentimes, leaves out this “supporting” factor the abs play.
Breaking the Hands Late
So pitchers should learn how to step out powerfully sideways into a long stride while getting their throwing arms into position as late as possible.
Tim Lincecum uses a long stride because more than likely his father understood that the longer the pitcher holds onto the ball before it comes into play the more force that is built up by the body...thus why pitchers with longer strides can produce more force.
This is how parents should help their kids learn how to pitch so they use their bodies to produce velocity instead of just their arms. Keep in mind that pitchers MUST incrementally perform this late breaking of the hands. A landmark position needs to be formed, usually when the leg kick descends, so that pitchers can properly learn their bodies and get their upper and lower halves in sync. Once this is attained, the pitcher can start to implement power mechanics that include a late hand break.
