The importance of Velocity for Pitchers
If you want to play at the next level you must become a more ballistic, athletic, & powerful pitcher
What are professional scouts, college coaches, and high school coaches looking for in pitchers? The first thing that they look for in a pitcher is arm speed…. they are looking for a live, dynamic, fluid arm action. In reality, if the pitchers arm isn’t explosive…even if he can get people out…he will only get a limited opportunity! The soft thrower that throws 70% strikes is getting a lot less looks than the hard thrower that throws 50% strikes!!!!
Reality of Velocity If you aren’t routinely developing and enhancing your ability to throw harder on a daily, weekly and monthly basis…your chances at playing at the next level become less and less! That is harsh, but true! It is the reality of moving up at almost any level in baseball. If you are in the top of velocity for your age group…you will almost always get an opportunity. That doesn’t mean you can’t make it as a softer thrower…many have proven that you can…but the room for error is extremely smaller without velocity. Coaches and organizations rarely will have enough patience to see you through those periods of struggle or needed development if you don’t have an explosive arm!
If velocity is so important then why do most instructors and pitching coaches never seem to talk about how to improve velocity?
Most instructors and pitching coaches certainly do realize that velocity is critical…and although most would never admit it…they really aren’t sure exactly how to improve it.
To 90% of all pitching instructors, velocity is a very misunderstood thing. When talking about improving it…Most will say something like… “use your legs and hips more…lift weights…get bigger…drop down…get out front more…push off the rubber more…throw more long toss…etc”. The same old clichés that coaches have been using for years!
Others try to talk about the fact that velocity is genetic or “you can’t teach velocity”…or… say that location is the most important factor in pitching!
The Truth about Velocity-Velocity is composed of many different variables… (skill specific strength, body part alignment, body part sequencing, body part synchronization, range of motion and flexibility, loading actions, and intent). …Developing an individual program for each individual pitcher that addresses these variables is the most effective method.
-Velocity certainly has a genetic component; but velocity also has a physiological component and a neuromuscular component. Since you can’t measure your true genetic potential… you must ignore genetics and work on those variables in which we have control, while disregarding any estimates or limitations put upon our genetic potentials.
-Many times our preconceived, self-imposed limitations of what is possible….limits our ability to progress! We underachieve. We accept only being just a percentage of our true potential. Velocity can be improved…and is being improved on a daily basis in a few select places and by a few select people. Hardball Academy is one of those few places!
-Velocity is by far and away the largest factor in whether a pitcher moves up to the next level or not. Evaluations between coaches, scouts, pitching coordinators and GM’s begin with velocity.
For some, pitching lessons are the worst thing they can do…………...........The average pitching lesson consists primarily about forcing the student to follow the instructor’s interpretation of what ideal “mechanical model” they should be following. Those that have taken lessons have head: “This is how I did it…or this is how Roger Clemons did it”…..or they are teaching specific styles of pitching (boxing pitchers into their ideal mechanical models)……using cue terms like “push off the rubber, “get out front”, “pull the glove to the chest”, “get to this position or this position”. There are many limitations and problems associated with this type of teaching!
1) No two people agree on exactly what ideal pitching mechanics are. Trying to make pitchers conform to styles or specific movements (instead of following principals) is one of the most detrimental things that coaches and instructors can do.
2) Teaching mechanics typically turns into teaching a personal preference or a preferred style or form. Instead we should teach principals of throwing allowing pitchers to “put their own signature on their movements”.
3) Teaching a preferred style or form typically has nothing what so ever to do with improving or enhancing the 7 major contributors to velocity (skill strength, alignment, sequencing, synchronization, intent, range of motion and flexibility, efficient loading actions).
4) Thousands of young pitchers who are “eye pleasing” to the instructor… …show no significant signs of improved performance or velocity!
“How to Become a More Ballistic, Athletic & Powerful Pitcher”o At Hardball Academy we don’t teach a style, a form, or a personal preference. This outdated method of instruction is why most players are underperforming and are not reaching their true potentials.
o Our back shaping throwing progression (throwing drills) will help pitchers obtain the sequencing and synchronization needed for velocity
o Our pitching specific training program will help pitchers develop functional strength, flexibility, endurance, body control, explosiveness, and use of their bodies to perform at their true genetic potential
7 Steps to big velocity Gains
1. First you need to examine your existing level of fitness.
2. You then need to set up a pitching specific fitness program. This program should include ballistic exercises for explosive power work, flexibility, balance and stability, range of motion, body control, and endurance.
3. You need to evaluate your current throwing mechanics to determine inefficiencies, energy leaks, loading actions, use of momentum, and arm action.
4. Begin a principle centered throwing mechanics program. Principle centered is a concept that is not based on old school or conventional wisdom, but a program that looks at all disciples of pitching.
5. Test and quantify your progress. Both on the conditioning side and the throwing mechanics side of being a pitcher. We all need to measure to see our progress.
6. Break your throwing and conditioning regiment into at least 4 segments. Segments such as: off season, pre-season, in-season, and post-season.
7. Set specific attainable goals. Not just for velocity, but all disciplines of pitching and physical conditioning.
Throwing harder takes time a dedicated effort, planning and discipline. For some it comes easier than others, but don’t let that deter you. Make it a challenge to reach your genetic ceiling. It is not easy……….it takes consistency and dedication!! There are no quick fixes!!!!
“What you do today determines your success in the future”
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