Stride Length and Shoulder Alignment

 

This is an excellent explanation of how stride length and glove-hand action influence shoulder alignment, ultimately affecting pitching accuracy.

Stride Length and Shoulder Alignment

Optimal stride length: Allows the shoulders to be aligned at foot strike, creating a direct line towards the target for efficient energy transfer.

Too long a stride: Leads to an "open" shoulder position (front shoulder pulled away from the target), often due to the body over-rotating to compensate for the excessive forward momentum.

Too short a stride: Leads to a "closed" shoulder position (front shoulder still pointing towards the catcher), often because the lower body hasn't fully engaged and rotated.

Proprioception's Role

Proprioception, the pitcher's sense of their body's position and movement, is crucial for developing and maintaining the correct stride length. Through practice and feedback, the pitcher learns the "feel" of a stride that allows for optimal shoulder alignment, their weight is distributed correctly, and their body is in a balanced position to rotate effectively.

Misaligned shoulders at foot strike disrupt the kinetic chain. The energy generated by the lower body cannot be efficiently transferred through a misaligned torso, leading to decreased power and inaccurate throws as the arm tries to compensate.

Pitch Smart

We're so confident in our instructions that, 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
“Beyond Arm Strength: Unleashing Lower Body Power Through Proprioception”
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Unlock Fastball Command: Focus on Your Front Leg Lift

Without A Balanced Front Leg Lift

Your foot plant is gravity-driven.

This suggests a lack of control over the intentional placement of the feet.

When the ball is delivered, it lands within your target area, but not consistently into your target with the desired precision.

With A Balanced Front Leg Lift

Fastball command originates from a combination of a balanced front leg lift.

Balanced front leg lift is the starting point, providing stability and control for the subsequent movements.

A well-managed glove-hand action contributes to balance, direction, and initiating the kinetic chain.

A well-timed throwing arm trigger synchronizes the upper body's throwing motion with the power generated by the lower body drive.

The throwing arm action is a secondary function to this foundational balance.

Fastball Command

The initial stages of the pitching motion, particularly the balance achieved during the front leg lift, are the primary determinants of fastball command.

A stable, controlled lift sets the stage for more precise and repeatable delivery.

In contrast, an imbalanced lift leads to a less controlled, gravity-dependent foot plant and consequently, less accurate pitches.

Pitch Smart

We're so confident in our instructions that, 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
“Beyond Arm Strength: Unleashing Lower Body Power Through Proprioception”
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Lower Body Engagement

Activating and coordinating the muscles of your legs, hips, and core in a specific sequence generates power and stability and directs the baseball accurately to your target.

Foot Positions and Front Leg Lift

These are the initial movements that set the foundation for lower body involvement, which influences weight transfer and the subsequent engagement of larger muscle groups.

Glove Hand Action

The glove hand initiates the forward movement and guides the body into foot strike by being the catalyst that synchronizes the lower body's contribution.

Balanced Front Leg Lift

This suggests a controlled and stable position that allows for efficient energy transfer.

Glove Hand Leading to Foot Strike

This highlights the interconnectedness of the upper and lower body movements, with the glove hand initiating the lower body's forward drive.

Automatic Release Point and Command

The glove hand facilitates proper lower body engagement, which leads to a natural and repeatable release point and pitching accuracy.

Pitch Smart

It isn’t about having strong legs; it's the specific, coordinated sequence of movements originating from the feet, driven by the glove hand, that efficiently transfers power through the core and ultimately dictates the consistency and accuracy of the pitch.

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. 

Your Feet Promote Lower Body Engagement

 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.

Crucial Role Of The Glove Hand

 

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.

Emphasis on Interconnectedness

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. 

A Way to Optimize Upper Body Mechanics

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.