This is a timeless @PitchingNinja gif of Yordando Ventura “pimping the finish”.
This move is not just a gimmick or for style - it’s the body’s way of decelerating the trunk and arm.
Let me explain more:
(check replies below)
I swear, I feel obligated to tweet this every month considering how often we talk about it at @The__BDG.
“Pushing” off the mound is NOT good.
Press into the ground and allow the foot to peel off - the ankle should “roll” (ie. invert & evert) before hip extension occurs.
Here's a quick tip for those that struggle with cutting their Fastball.
Addressing this is important for maximizing FB movement but can also be a low hanging fruit in terms of velocity development. I've seen athletes gain 1-2mph by just increasing their spin efficiency.
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Gaining mass is quite simply the lowest hanging fruit for a high school pitcher.
Why pick apart the mechanics of a 150lb soaking wet PO when he’ll fundamentally move differently at 200lb?
We tell our guys the fastest way to their goals is beneath the dinner plate.
Eat up 🍽🥩
We coach in an era with increasingly more "gimmicks" and a FOMO mindset around the "latest & greatest" device, tech, or coaching tool.
If I was a JUCO Pitching Coach operating with a small budget here are the 5 tools I'd build my program around:
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Throwing things hard at a spot.
Makes skill work fun and challenge the athletes movements through task constraints.
Can progress this little game by varying ball weight, distance of mound, size of target, rules of the game, etc.
We often see High-School athletes struggle with holding trunk counter-rotation during the stride phase which subsequently affects trunk angle at FP and sequencing.
One of the best drills we have found to address this is the Janitor.
Full demo: bit.ly/janitordrill
We're finishing off our Phase 1 of throwing at @OntarioBlueJays in style with 'Athletic Catch Play'.
Why train "mechanics" when you can train athletic movements?
What does this mean?
Let the body unwind itself gradually and naturally.
Forcing the arm to come to a stop may cause extra stress on the elbow.
Lasty, for the love of god, stop trying to finish in a fielding position.
Richards Baseball Bullpen Chart Program:
What started out as a simple print off has evolved into a robust document created for data-driven coaches on a budget.
And what's more budget-friendly than free?
Yes, it's completely free!
Download here ⬇️
richardsbaseball.com/bullpen-chart
The Foot Tripod is the foundation to a good lower half in the pitching delivery.
With regards to the back foot, we want to maintain contact and put force into the ground through three points.
Holding this position as long as possible into the stride is the goal.
This may come as a surprise, but for the time being, I have no intention of posting anything baseball related.
I used this platform to climb the career ladder - leading to a type of burnout I don't think words do justice.
For now, I'm travelling Western Canada.
#NewProfilePic