We hear it all the time: “That guy has great mechanics.” We can probably even name two full hands worth of guys to whom this applies. But what specifically does it mean? Not every pitcher has the same windup, or even similar form, as every other pitcher that shares the quality of solid mechanics.
There are some key things to look out for when determining whether or not a pitcher has good form, and as a result, what the potential longevity of their career really is. Keep reading to learn more about good pitching mechanics for high school pitchers to emulate as they develop their games.
Balance
It all starts with how a pitcher is set up before he starts his windup, and even through the first couple motions. The key here is to use as little extra movement as possible when beginning a delivery. Any extra unnecessary motion is wasted energy, and can result in a dip in velocity and in a worst-case scenario, chronic arm issues.
Take a look at the image of David Price’s delivery above. You’ll notice that in the first four frames, the only part of his body that moves is his lower half – and ever so slightly at that. Because Price isn’t using extra energy to accomplish the goal of getting set to deliver the ball, he’s able to save that energy to put toward throwing the ball to the plate. This is the first key step to developing good pitching mechanics for high school pitchers of any age.
Loading the Back Side
You’ll notice a theme here as we go through the motions (pun significantly intended). Most of the work that is put toward a high output velocity is generated by the lower half of the body, and any pitcher will tell you that the more torque you can generate with your legs and core, the harder you’ll throw, and subsequently the less stress you’ll put on your arm. In essence, your arm is simply along for the ride.
Look at the great Mariano Rivera. Notice how he is fully centered and is keeping all of his weight on his back hip as he strides toward the hitter? By doing this, Rivera was able to generate the force necessary to pump his fastball in at around 90 mph, even as he continued to defy the aging process toward the end of his career. This is one prime example why good pitching mechanics for high school pitchers is so important to the potential longevity of a career in baseball.
Finish/"Post"
You’ll hear this often: “Throw through the catcher, not to the catcher.” What this person is really saying is don’t let up before following completely through the pitch and finishing nice and strong. Again, stopping your motion short will put stress on your arm, and is likely to decrease velocity as well. A sign of good pitching mechanics for high school pitchers is a strong finish, or what we actually call a “post” finish.
Observe it here in Michael Wacha, a dynamic young pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s completely followed through on this pitch, creating a “post” with his left, or stride, leg. This allows him to use all of the energy he’s been building up through his load and delivery and maximize the velocity of the pitch while also minimizing risk to the arm.
It’s not enough to throw hard. Practicing good mechanics for high school pitchers will lead to a longer, and ultimately safer, career in baseball. The pictures above don’t lie, and neither do the results.
