Throwing mechanics are a greatly overlooked component for baseball players. More young players are playing more innings of baseball each year and poor throwing mechanics are contributing to higher rates of injuries. Going to little league or high school games, we see players with low level throwing mechanics because players are not taught how to throw properly. At A.B. Athletic Development, we are taking a huge initiative to improve throwing instruction to help reduce injuries and improve performace. Throwing is critical for position players as well as pitchers – pitchers are throwing with an emphasis on location, movement and deception.
Throwing mechanics at A.B. Athletic Development have been greatly researched. We study video, read everything we can find and work hard on our own mechanics to understand the feel players have when throwing. Ultimately, we need to make big changes in the majority of players we see. Players need to learn how to throw as early as possible to begin ingraining healthy movement patterns. There are a few key points of A.B.’s Throwing Program include:
- Player Assessments – Players are evaluated prior to beginning throwing programs. Their functional movement is evaluated to make sure they are not at risk for injury and then players are filmed for analysis of throwing mechanics. Depending on age and where the player is in their season, radar gun testing may be done to evaluate throwing velocity and arm strength.
- Arm Action – Arm action is the movement pattern of the arm. Teaching kids to face the ball toward center field is very bad – yet this is what most young players are taught. Proper arm action will position the arm to accelerate forward without stress on the shoulder or elbow.
- Hip & Spine Mobility – The hip and spine movement throughout the throw is very important and throwing programs are blended with AB’s Strength & Conditioning Programs to make sure the players hip and spine mobility is good.
- Video Analysis - Players get video done regularly to review mechanics. Video of Major League players is also used to illustrate instruction. Players also use mirrors to compliment the visual learning component of the program.
