Pulling VS Pushing: Understanding Arm Whip

Hey There Friend!

If you are looking for a way to generate more velocity from your pitcher's upper body, creating WHIP or PULLING the ball down through release is the KEY!

Making a loose and relaxed arm circle is very natural and yet many pitchers struggle with it. This is often because they are TAUGHT something different.

I've watched coaches teach a "K" drill where they ask the pitcher to straighten her arms and "cock" her wrist (ball pointing backward) as she starts down the backside of her circle.

Let's compare what that position would look like with the overhand throw:

Can you imagine asking your athlete to STRAIGHTEN her arm and cock her wrist before she released the ball? Absolutely not! NO ONE would teach this to overhand throwers BUT it happens much too often when teaching pitchers!

What would your leg and foot do if you were trying to kick a ball as far as you could? Would you straighten your leg and pull your toes back? How about if you were going to "snap" someone with a towel, what would you do to really POP them good?!  Try these things and notice what you do.

You likely noticed that you don't force any certain position, that you simply let your arm/hand or leg/foot do what they NATURALLY want to do, which is likely NOT to straighten out and force the wrist/ankle into a specific position.

HERE is one drill that I use with pitchers to help them understand how it feels to create a loose, relaxed arm.

As pitchers, coaches and parents it's important to understand the WHY behind anything we are doing or are being asked to do.

If you are TEACHING an athlete something, do YOU understand why you are teaching it? If not, find that answer BEFORE asking your athlete to do it!

I can tell you that I gave some TERRIBLE advice when I first started teaching pitchers many years ago. I told them to do things that I THOUGHT I did when I pitched OR things I had been told by coaches that I believed were true at the time.

It wasn't until I really began to STUDY human movement, watch lots of video, and pick the brains of a handful of mentors (that were wonderful guides along my journey), that I really starting UNDERSTANDING what I should be teaching others.

I still LOVE to continue to look for new ways to help pitchers, parents and coaches grow!

If YOU don't understand something that is being asked of your pitcher, I hope you will reach out and ask me about it my friend! You can always reach me HERE!

Have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back next week with another topic to help us learn and grow together!

All My BEST,

Myndie