MMV #002: Start Here When Analyzing Pitching Mechanics

Today I am going to teach you the first thing you should look at when analyzing pitching mechanics.

This one thing is so simple, yet so many coaches get it wrong or overlook it.

I am talking about the back foot. 

As Randy Sullivan and Lantz Wheeler always say, you have to get the first move right.

The first move has a domino effect on the rest of the delivery. 

If you want your pitchers to move efficiently, it has to start with the back foot staying in the ground.

Most players don't even realize their foot isn't stable.

You will typically see one of these two things happen as they go into leg lift:

• Heel slides out

OR

• Big toe comes up

Heel sliding out example:

Big toe coming up example:

It begs the question, why?  

Too Much Counter Rotation.

If you see a player go into their leg lift and their heel slides out, they are counter rotating their hips too much. The heel is sliding out to create more room for them to counter rotate.

They don't have enough hip internal rotation in their back leg to keep the foot stable in the ground.

So what does the body do? It compensates. 

The heel slides out or the toe comes up to allow the pitcher to pull off the move.

Why does it matter?

Here's the issue with this, it is "fake loading".

The pitcher thinks he's getting into his back leg really good, but the truth is, he isn't loading into anything!

You have to have a stable base to rotate against.

This initial move is setting up the load and direction down the mound.

If we get the first move wrong you could see:

• Spinning off
• Low force production
• Inconsistent direction down the mound 

What's the solution?

There are 2 options:

1. Immediate solution

2. Long term solution

Immediate Solution

The quickest fix is to stop counter rotation BEFORE back foot starts to move. This is a great way to find out how much counter rotation you can actually handle.

Long Term Solution

The immediate solution might be all that is needed. Long term solution is for pitchers that aren't able to achieve relatively any counter rotation into leg lift without their foot moving.

This is a sign there is a severe limitation in rear hip internal rotation. This will need to be a focus for the player to make progress in their leg lift.

2 good examples:

Aaron Nola

Justin Verlander

They both stay grounded, but have different IR capabilities. That is why their counter rotation is different.

Key Takeaways

• Keep back foot stable
• The backfoot sets the foundation
• Stop counter rotation before foot moves
• Improve rear hip IR if there is significant restriction 

That's all for today. I hope this was helpful and you have a new lens to evaluate the delivery from.

See you next week.

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