Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Your Feet Promote Lower Body Engagement

Engaging the lower body through proper footwork is key to achieving better velocity, command, and overall pitching performance.

 It's the starting point that dictates how the rest of the kinetic chain functions.

Wide Stance

An incorrect stance leads to a less powerful, less consistent, and potentially more injury-prone throwing motion.

The sequence of power generation is disrupted. The hips and core don't fully engage and lead the arm.

The arm and hand become isolated because the lower body isn't driving the motion. The release point becomes inconsistent without the stable base and rotational force, leading to poor command and unpredictable results.

Balanced Stance

A more balanced stance allows for proper weight transfer and sets the stage for effective rotation.

The glove arm turns the hips, highlighting the kinetic chain's essential sequence.

Your glove arm emphasizes that the legs and core are the primary source of power and direction in an efficient throw.

When the lower body leads the motion, the arm and hand follow more flexibly, leading to better accuracy.

Pitch Smart

Engaging the lower body through proper footwork is key to achieving better velocity, command, and overall pitching performance.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Crucial Role Of The Glove Hand

 

When the glove hand and lower body work in sync, pitch location can become more automatic.

Balance at the start is fundamental for proper glove hand usage.

"Inactive Glove Hand"

"Inactive Glove Hand" results from an unbalanced start

Out-of-balance start -> Glove arm used for balance -> Loss of glove hand control -> No impact on pitch location.

An "Active Glove Hand"

An "Active Glove Hand" stems from a balanced starting position.

Balanced start -> Glove hand path triggers lower body -> Sends ball to target -> Automatic pitch location.

More On An "Active Glove Hand"

An active glove hand plays a critical role in initiating the lower body and directing the pitch.

The path of the active glove hand is key to initiating the lower body and achieving accurate pitch location.

The path directly links the active glove hand to automatic pitch location, freeing the pitcher to focus on other aspects like speed and movement.

The specific path of the glove hand is crucial for triggering the desired lower body movement.

Pitch Smart

When the glove hand and lower body work in sync, pitch location can become more automatic.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Emphasis on Interconnectedness

This valuable summary of the lower body's role effectively communicates the importance of proper mechanics and the impact of even small adjustments.

Starting Position -> Front Leg Lift -> Lower Body Activity -> Target highlights how each step builds upon the previous one, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated movement.

It directly links lower body mechanics to the goal: sending the ball to the target and underscores the significance of even minor adjustments in mechanics, emphasizing that precision matters.

Warning about Negative Adaptations

The last sentence warns about negative natural adaptations, if proper form is not used.

The language is straightforward and accessible, avoiding overly technical jargon.

The warning about negative adaptations is a very strong point.

The pitching motion is a chain reaction

Each phase of the lower body movement is dependent on the previous one.

A proper starting position sets the foundation for the entire delivery.

The lower body generates the force needed to deliver the ball effectively.

Even small errors in mechanics significantly impact accuracy and control.

The body will try to compensate for errors, but these compensations lead to further mechanical flaws.

Pitch Smart

This valuable summary of the lower body's role effectively communicates the importance of proper mechanics and the impact of even small adjustments.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

A Way to Optimize Upper Body Mechanics

Focusing on upper body cues reduces tension in the lower body, allowing for smoother and more fluid movements. The timing of the lower body engagement may also naturally improve.
Shoulders Promote Your Lower Body

The core of the kinetic chain doesn't work in isolation. Movements in one area influence movements in others.

In sequence, the glove hand, shoulders, and lower body reacting is a great way to visualize this and highlights how a stable upper body can set the stage for efficient lower body engagement.

The glove hand triggers shoulder movement, which explains how the upper body can dictate the tempo and balance of the delivery.

Lower Body Resolution: Forget About Your Lower Body

 A pitcher thinks about their lower body to encourage the pitcher’s kinetic chain.

By focusing on the upper body cues, the lower body will naturally respond while consciously trying to force lower body engagement to hinder it.

The idea is to allow the body to move naturally and efficiently. However, overthinking or forcing movements can lead to stiffness and disruptions in the kinetic chain.

Pitch Smart

Focusing on upper body cues reduces tension in the lower body, allowing for smoother and more fluid movements. The timing of the lower body engagement may also naturally improve.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

The Crucial Role Of The Lower Body

The lower body's engagement is not an independent action but a natural reaction to a kinetic chain timing of the ball's release and the upper body's movements.

The lower body's engagement is not an independent action but a natural reaction to a kinetic chain timing of the ball's release and the upper body's movements.

The Glove Hand Action

Your Glove Hand turns over to initiate torso rotation, create separation between the upper and lower body, and stabilize the upper body.

When correctly executed, the ball's trajectory aligns with the intended target.

The Lower Body Is The Engine That Directs The Ball.

The momentum generated by the hips is transferred through the legs, driving the direction and accuracy of the pitch.

When the sequence is executed correctly, the ball's trajectory is aligned with the intended target.

Key Observations

Precise timing is essential in each phase of the motion.

There’s a seamless energy flow from the glove hand to the hips and the lower body.

The lower body engagement feels fluid and effortless when the preceding actions are executed correctly.

The results finish the pitch right in the catcher’s glove.

Pitch Smart

By focusing on the timing and execution of the glove-hand action and hip activation, pitchers ensure improved pitch location and accuracy.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Lower Body Engagement as a Natural Response

By focusing on the correct sequence of movements, pitchers ensure consistent lower body involvement and improve their accuracy and velocity.

Lower body involvement is a natural consequence of proper upper body movements and ball location.

Your Front Leg puts your Glove Hand in a position to control your motion.

The front leg's landing creates a foundation, initiates the upper body's control, and sets the stage for the upper body to start the throwing motion.

Your Glove Hand goes palm up at the right time.

A key component in starting the kinetic chain reaction is a specific glove-side action that creates separation between the upper and lower body, initiates torso rotation, and loads the hips.

You activate your Lower Body.

The proper positioning and movement of the front leg and glove hand naturally triggers the lower body to drive forward and rotate.

Your Lower Body drives your pitch location.

The lower body controls the direction, velocity and accuracy of the pitch. Your ball naturally goes directly into your target.

Your Lower Body involvement is guaranteed.

The lower body will always be involved when the first two steps are done correctly.

Pitch Smart

By focusing on the correct sequence of movements, pitchers ensure consistent lower body involvement and improve their accuracy and velocity.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Front Knee In Front Of Front Hip

Your Lower Body produces your command, reinforcing the idea that true command originates from the lower body and core, not just the arm.

With the knee staying in front of the hip, the knee promotes a more efficient and biomechanically sound throwing motion leading to better overall performance and reduced injury risk.

"Step and Throw"

"Step and Throw" emphasizes proprioceptive balance. Maintaining control throughout the motion allows for better integration of the lower body.

This leads to improved command, velocity, and consistency while reducing stress on the arm.

Front Knee

Your Front Knee, staying in front of your front hip, controls your Arm movements, lands your Foot Plant, and throws the ball.

By maintaining this knee-over-hip position, you maintain better control of your body and arm throughout the motion.

Stride

The foot plant becomes a natural part of the coordinated movement, not a separate event.

Your Arms deliver the ball to your target, the lower body and core drive the speed, and you force the Hitter to pick up the ball's speed and movement.

Pitch Smart

Your Lower Body produces your command, reinforcing that true command originates from the lower body and core, not just the arm.

We're so confident in our instructions that we offer a unique guarantee: if we can't help you get the ball to your target regularly, your instruction is free, no questions asked.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved©
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.