Improve Baseball & Softball Performance with Chiropractic 

The 6 Phases of Pitching Incorrect technique involving each of these phases has been identified and can result in an increased risk of injury 1st Lets describe each phase then what can go wrong Wind-up Wind-up is the classic phase in which many envision a pitcher preparing to deliver the pitch. In this phase, the hands are brought together in the mid-torso region and the knee of the lead leg is lifted into the air Stride During the stride phase, or early cocking, the velocity of the pitch is generated. The lead leg extends while the pelvis rotates and the arm assumes the cocking position. The back foot must remain planted during this phase Late cocking Many of the shoulder and elbow injuries experienced by pitchers are encountered during the late cocking phase . This is likely due to the fact that elbow valgus and rotational shoulder torque are highest during this phase. Much of the energy from the lower body is transferred to the upper body as it rotates towards the batter. This phase begins when the lead foot strikes the ground Acceleration During the acceleration phase, the shoulder internally rotates, the elbow extends, and the elbow flexes as the energy produced by the body is transferred to the baseball. Deceleration In this phase, the baseball is released and the internal rotation of the arm is slowed. The rotator cuff muscles are activated to resist the forward movement of the arm. Follow-through The pitching motion is completed and the force generated by the body is dissipated. The body assumes a relaxed position to allow for fielding of the baseball. Flaws in the pitching motion A pitcher may be more successful in correcting poor throwing habits early in the pitching motion. Researchers have found that it is easier to change throwing biomechanics prior to foot strike rather than later in the motion around ball release If the pitching arm is lagging behind the body before acceleration, it is not taking advantage of the potential energy created in the cocking phases. This is often referred to as throwing “all arm” Higher elbow valgus stress has been correlated with poor trunk rotation timing along with increased shoulder external rotation angle and joint force The power position is important for the analysis of a pitcher. It is located at the end of the early cocking phase when the foot strikes the ground. A correct power position has the lead arm out in front with 70–80 degrees of shoulder abduction and the elbow flexed around 90 degrees with the wrist positioned facing the pitcher. This position is referred to as the “tell time position. An incorrect power position can inform the clinician that there is a breakdown earlier in the motion hindering the thrower’s ability to achieve this position correctly. Timing is negatively impacted if the correct power position is not obtained. Hyper-abduction, often referred to as “loading,” should be minimised in the pitching motion. When viewing from anterior, the ball should be obscured by the pitcher’s head. The hand should be on top of the ball and facing third base for right-handed pitchers or first base for left-handed pitchers. The lead foot should be pointed towards home plate in a slightly internally rotated or “closed” position An excessively closed front foot can lead to the pitcher throwing across their body. This closes off the front leg and pelvis which does not allow proper energy transfer from the lower body to the pitching arm. This often leads to a timing error and the pitching arm lags behind the body, placing more stress on shoulder complex and elbow as the arm moves from acceleration to ball release. If the pitcher displays an open front foot position the opposite can occur with the pelvis opening too soon and allowing early pelvic rotation. This can also create an arm lag which places significant valgus stress on the elbow. Five (stride length, front foot position, shoulder external rotation, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion) were assessed at foot strike. Time between peak pelvis angular velocity and peak upper trunk angular velocity and knee extension from foot contact to ball release were evaluated in the arm cocking or acceleration stage. Shoulder abduction was assessed at ball release. They found correction rates were highest with front foot position (67%) and time between peak pelvis angular velocity and peak upper trunk angular velocity (64%). Parameters most difficult to correct were later in the pitching sequence. This included knee extension from foot contact to ball release (23%) and shoulder abduction at ball release (32%). Researchers concluded that less than 50% of the parameters could be altered and it was toughest to adjust later in the pitching motion