My Mechanics

[arodfan13]

How are my mechanics? I recorded a video but I realize it is hard for everybody to get stills of them. So here's about 10.
View My Video (http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=2v9onmg&s=2)
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/a.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/b.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/c.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/d.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/e.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/f.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/g.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/h.gif
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/sultanofswat3/i.gif

[Drill]

that is a funny angle

looks like someone was doing recon on you.

[arodfan13]

Yeah I had to set it on a rock... haha. But here's the video if anybody wants a look
View My Video (http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=301mqvn&s=2)

[Baseball gLove]

that is a funny angle

looks like someone was doing recon on you.

SNIPER!!!!! :D

[Jake Patterson]

Arod,
How old are you? What level do you play? How much have you pitched?
Jake

[StraightGrain11]

You're prematurely opening into footplant and its killing your hip drive. Other than that, you look pretty good.

[arodfan13]

I'm 16. I gave up on baseball as a kid but I wanted to pick it up again. I'm not in any leagues but I am training for when tryouts open for high school ball.

And StraightGrain, what does that mean exactly? How would I fix it?

[StraightGrain11]

I'm 16. I gave up on baseball as a kid but I wanted to pick it up again. I'm not in any leagues but I am training for when tryouts open for high school ball.

And StraightGrain, what does that mean exactly? How would I fix it?

Tough to describe, but I'll do me best.
You need to keep your front foot closed as long possible. If your hips "open" to soon (into footplant), you "lock" them up - you get minimal rotation and drive from you backside.
Pay attention to the guys on the right (forget Samardzija, his mechanics are messed up). Watch how long they keep their front side/foot closed. Another thing, you need to concentrate on landing flat footed or on you toes - not your heel.

http://www.swingtraining.net/clips/samardzija-williamson-st.gif
http://www.swingtraining.net/clips/samardzija-clemens-windup-st.gif

[arodfan13]

I get it. I'll try and practice on that. Thanks for your input!

[Go Cardinals]

They look pretty good...... looks like you need to use more of your body. Its hard to tell from thay angle though. Get a side view next time, it will be easier to analyse imo.

[jima]

Tough to describe, but I'll do me best.
You need to keep your front foot closed as long possible. If your hips "open" to soon (into footplant), you "lock" them up - you get minimal rotation and drive from you backside.
Pay attention to the guys on the right (forget Samardzija, his mechanics are messed up). Watch how long they keep their front side/foot closed. Another thing, you need to concentrate on landing flat footed or on you toes - not your heel.

http://www.swingtraining.net/clips/samardzija-williamson-st.gif
http://www.swingtraining.net/clips/samardzija-clemens-windup-st.gif

My son's coach calls it "grabbing dirt" at the last second.

[StraightGrain11]

My son's coach calls it "grabbing dirt" at the last second.

Hmm...never heard it put that way before...

I'll describe it another way I can think of - but I'm almost POSITIVE I'll catch some flack for this :rolleyes:....
Your rear hip/leg drive/rotation is what "causes," or initiates, your front leg to "open" into footplant. Basically, your front leg never really "opens," it's your backside that squares your hips up. If you watch Clemens (bottom right) you will see his hip rotation comes from the back side - and begins before his front foot ever touches dirt - or "grabs dirt."
Something tells me I'm gunna hear about that statement from O'Leary...:waving

[arodfan13]

Thanks anybody. Also, does anybody know any drills to help improve accuracy and hitting your spots?

[Robbie_L]

I don't know if this counts as a drill, but if you think about where you want to hit your target every time you throw (short toss, long toss, bullpen, etc.), your accuracy will improve. I started doing that last winter, my spot hitting was much better this year.