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The 3 Myths of Pitching Mechanics

November 13, 2009

(Click here for a 2-page .pdf of this newsletter)



Myth #1: Have a Balance Point During The Leg Kick


This was disproved in this 2004 study:

Balance 20title


Compared to pitchers with NO balance points, pitchers with balance points had:

  • MORE head movement

  • LESS accuracy

  • DECREASED velocity
and led to this conclusion

Balance 20Point


Myth #2:
"Tuck Your Glove"


I addressed this myth in this 2008 newsletter:

2008 20Glove 20newsletter 20title


Simply put, MORE glove movement = LESS accuracy


Just like hitting
where minimal hand movement produces a more consistent swing, less glove movement produces a more consistent release point.

Myth #3: "Follow Through" When Pitching


This myth causes many kids to bend their back too early like this:

Follow 20Through


yet NO POSITION PLAYER throws like this. Why not?

Because bending your back DECREASES accuracy.

This 2008 study:

2008 20glove 20study


found that pitchers who turn their shoulders the quickest had the highest velocities ("increased upper trunk rotation angular velocity"):

Shoulder 20turn



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Dr. Arnold!