Whats Next?

[wogdoggy]

If my kid can do anything its pitch..Today the freshman coach wants him to use the SLIDE step with runners on first.WOW,I dont want to risk my kids arm by doing this. I cant see how this CAN"t be dangerous.Yet hw will expect junior to use it with men on first.do i tell junior to just pitch normally and when the coach chews him out say I forgot.OR have him tell the Coach that his arm hurts when he does that.How do I save my kids arm from these guys?,,:grouchy

I found this article agree or not? I sure do!

Powerful Solution #2: "Pitch from the stretch with one motion, all the time."

If you pitch with a slide-step:

>> You won’t consistently throw good low strikes.

>> You will dramatically lose velocity.

>> Your off-speed pitches won’t work.

>> YOU RISK INJURY WITH EVERY PITCH!

Here’s why:

With the slide-step, your lower body leaves before your arm can swing down, back and up from the “hands-together” set position.

As a result, your arm plays “catch-up” throughout your entire delivery.

That means you lose all of your lower-half power because it’s already fired before the arm is ready to throw...

...AND it places a lot of stress on the shoulder and elbow and causes you to lose velocity.

OK, in order to pitch with one motion all the time, you should...

1) Speed up the hands and the leg kick simultaneously.

2) Abbreviate your leg kick (knee to knee), but make sure to load up the weight on the back foot (the one touching the rubber) so you can generate “energy” while delivering the pitch towards the plate.

That energy will equal velocity.

It will also give your arm time to remain in sync with the body so you can make good off-speed pitches low in the strike zone and remain injury-free.



Yours in baseball,

Steven Ellis

[Ohfor]

Reread your Dixon stuff.

Dixon or Ellis?

Your call.

But, I will say almost every high level fielder can throw pretty damn well with a slide step.

Watch Furcal throw the ball. Watch Ichiro throw the ball. Watch Vlad throw the ball. Watch Grudz throw the ball. How about Pudge? Molina?

[swingbuster]

slide steps should have a slight hip coil according to the people that I chose to believe and agree. THat will save your arm or it will hurt less....it is going to hurt at times if he gets used much at his age

[wogdoggy]

i wonder why you say dixon or ellis ohfor? ellis doesnt like it at all,,and i cant see how it can possibly fit into the dixon mechanics at all.

how can you "DO" dixon with a slide step???


Watch Furcal throw the ball. Watch Ichiro throw the ball. Watch Vlad throw the ball. Watch Grudz throw the ball. How about Pudge? Molina?

right but they are either crow hopping or or bringing the back foot in front of the lead leg to throw it..

[Ohfor]

how can you "DO" dixon with a slide step???

Dixon is all about pelvic loading/unloading. Is he not?

[wogdoggy]

yes but step two or the controlled "FALL" to the plate takes time,
how can you rush that "FALL" without taking something away?

Im using "fall" even though dixon says you dont actually want to fall.

[swingbuster]

I have to agree with Ohfer here if he means you need a hip move to throw. Your right that a pure slide step will strain the arm more. Your increased speed and control to the plate should make up for any time you lose with the hips coil

[Ohfor]

If you can't come to a stop, in the stretch position, with your hips already loaded, such that a "forward by turning" move can not be accomplished in a very small amount of time, then.........you better learn how.

A controlled fall does not have to take time. Only if you make it take time.

It can be done almost like no stride hitting. Very similar.

And, no, not all fielder throws include a crow hop. Many many do not and they throw the ball really well without.

[Jake Patterson]

If my kid can do anything its pitch..Today the freshman coach wants him to use the SLIDE step with runners on first.WOW,I dont want to risk my kids arm by doing this.

As a former high school coach I would not suggest going against what the coach is asking of your son unless it puts him in imminent danger. I would however, ask to see the coach after a game or practice to discuss your concerns. Slide stepping can be dangerous for a young player. If your son is 13 or 14 and he may be too young to be doing something like this. I would use Steve's info as ammunition.

[Ohfor]

Slide stepping can be dangerous for a young player. .

Yeah, just like pitching, driving a car and crossing the street.

[wogdoggy]

cmon ohfor that not apples and apples..tell your kid to bench press 40lbs more than he can and tell him if he hurts himself too bad..you could have hurt yourself in a car crash.

[Ohfor]

Woggy

It appears you're looking for "support" for your excuses.

Won't get it from me.

[wogdoggy]

not really ohfor but if it makes U feel better..ok:crazy