Throwing Biomechanics and Common Faults

Question 1

Six phases of throwing

Answer 1

Wind up
Stride 
Arm cocking 
Arm acceleration
Arm deceleration 
Follow through

Question 2

Wind up

Answer 2

From back foot plant to raising lead leg

Hands should be in front of chest

Question 3

Stride

Answer 3

Lead leg begins to fall, hands separate, until,lead foot contact with ground
Hand break should be in front of chest
Arms should break “out and up”
Trunk should start to lean toward glove side

Question 4

Arm cocking

Answer 4

foot contact to max external rotation

Hips and torso rotate at 400-700 degrees/sec

Question 5

Arm acceleration

Answer 5

max external rotation to ball release
0.14 seconds
generated by large muscle groups
Trunk flex to 30 degrees reducing impingement

Question 6

Arm deceleration

Answer 6

release to max internal rotation

most injuries occur at this phase

Question 7

Follow through

Answer 7

the natural finish to the throwing motion
long arc of deceleration
arm should end up by the contralateral ankle

Question 8

South paw

Answer 8

Left handed pitcher faces second base so the sun is not in the pitcher’s eyes