Perfect Throwing Motion

[Johnny_B.Goode]

Does anybody have any idea where I can get some information about the perfect way to throw a projectile?

I remember years ago seeing a documentary on Todd Marinovich as he was either getting ready to enter the draft or when he was attempting a comeback and a sport physiologist was using a computer and video capture to discuss what he was doing well and what he wasn’t. This made me think, just what is the best way to throw something? Maybe I am doing something wrong and I can be Nolan Ryan or Brett Favre.

[Liberal]

This is from The Atlantic Online. Don’t let the article’s title “throw” you.

Braden says that an effective throw involves connecting a series of links in a “kinetic chain.” The kinetic chain, which is Braden’s tool for analyzing most sporting activity, operates on a principle like that of crack-the-whip. Momentum builds up in one part of the body. When that part is suddenly stopped, as the end of the “whip” is stopped in crack-the-whip, the momentum is transferred to and concentrated in the next link in the chain. A good throw uses six links of chain, Braden says. The first two links involve the lower body, from feet to waist. The first motion of a throw (after the body has been rotated away from the target) is to rotate the legs and hips back in the direction of the throw, building up momentum as large muscles move body mass. Then those links stop–a pitcher stops turning his hips once they face the plate–and the momentum is transferred to the next link. This is the torso, from waist to shoulders, and since its mass is less than that of the legs, momentum makes it rotate faster than the hips and legs did. The torso stops when it is facing the plate, and the momentum is transferred to the next link–the upper arm. As the upper arm comes past the head, it stops moving forward, and the momentum goes into the final links–the forearm and wrist, which snap forward at tremendous speed.

[Grok]

There’s a great deal of information on this and other skills in the field of Biomechanics. Lots of textbooks on the subject.

[Moirai]

Of course, since side-arm and submarine pitchers seem to have far fewer injuries and can throw for many years longer (on average), you would think that their motion would be better.

[Krispy_Original]

If you are more specifically looking for information concerning the “perfect” way to throw a baseball, check out this website: http://www.drmikemarshall.com

Dr. Mike Marshall is a former Major League pitcher…a very successful one at that. He has studied the biomechanics of pitching. A free online book is available at his site.