| coachcharles | -- 02-24-2005 @ 1:36 PM |
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Could someone tell a young coach why it is ok, (if it is ok), to warm-up a pitcher from flat ground. Then, he goes in to pitch from the mound. Does this effect his mechanics? When we teach pitching, do we start flat or on the mound. I'm thinking flat. Gotta' have good throwing mechanics before you can pitch, right? Age group is 8-10 YO Can anyone elaborate? I got all my life to wait. Thanks, Coach Charles
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| goMO | -- 02-24-2005 @ 2:25 PM |
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I do it because we don't have mounds, and we don't have bullpens. We just use the area around the left field fence, with a player (wearing a helmut) watching out for foul balls. If I had the option to use a mound to warmup before a game, you better believe I'd use it...
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| coachcharles | -- 02-24-2005 @ 2:38 PM |
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Yeah, but mechanically, is there a difference? What is the mechanical difference? Thanks, Coach Charles
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| jimmiemac | -- 02-24-2005 @ 9:39 PM |
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I would prefer a mound, but if none is available you have to warm up the pitcher somehow. If the choice was to warm up on flat ground or not warm up the choice is simple. BTW, many of our pitching warm up drills are done away from the mound and really only throw about 15 to 20 warm up tosses prior to the game from a mound when available. We do a short toss (find target, 10 throws) and then a long toss (10 throws) routine followed by the pitcher going through his various pitches from the mound (about 6 tosses each pitch he throws). "If you can't make the putts and can't get the man in from second on the bottom of the ninth, you're not going to win enough football games in this league, and that's the problem we had today." Sam Rutigliano, Cleveland Browns coach This message was edited by jimmiemac on 2-24-05 @ 9:43 PM
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| spw1 | -- 02-24-2005 @ 9:46 PM |
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This is an interesting question. I do not think (I am not an expert) that there are 'different' mechanics off of a mound versus flat. I know that my son who is rehabbing his elbow, can throw but not off of a mound, and that leads me to wonder if it is the stress that is different, rather than mechanics, with the force of gravity multiplying the force of the pitch. Starting to teach pitching is done on flat ground. Many good drills are done on the flat as well. ------------------------- "A ballplayer spends a good piece of his life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time." --------------------- Jim Bouton
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| coachcharles | -- 02-25-2005 @ 1:34 PM |
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CoachZ77, Thop, Bob...etc. If you read this thread, please post some info for me. Maybe I'm not asking the question correctly. I'm looking for some good info about the pitcher's mound. I thank the few who suggested to use the mound if given the chance. But, I'm looking for an answer to "the mechanical difference" between flat & mound pitching. It seems to me that there is a difference or we wouldn't have a mound. Is it just a physical advanyage to the pitcher? Does anyone know? Thanks, Coach Charles
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| afanforlife | -- 02-25-2005 @ 2:12 PM |
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Coach charles, I went to a clinic this off season and got different views on this. Leo Mazzone of the Braves said to throw off a mound as often as possible. Two different respected college coaches throw a lot from the flat ground. I think one of the important factors is making sure the arm strength is there. Once again Mazzone does a lot of this on the mound and the college coaches and other pro coaches (including the pitching coach from the Phillies, I can't remember his name)use a lot of long toss.
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| Bob_Byrd | -- 02-25-2005 @ 2:33 PM |
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ASMI did a study on the differences between throwing from flat ground and itching from a mound. They tested 27 college pitchers who threw from flat ground 60,120,180 feet and pitching 60’6” from a mound. "At foot contact a shorter stride and less shoulder external rotation were present when throwing from flat ground. At ball release the trunk was more upright when throwing from flat ground. Deceleration forces in the shoulder and elbow after ball release were lowest during long-distance throws." I interpret this as throwing from flat ground is less stressful than pitching from a mound. In LL most mounds are almost flat anyway. I have seen some bullpen mounds that were concave; silliest thing I have ever seen. The mound was lower than home plate. Leo Mazzone believes that throwing from the mound gives the pitcher feedback on his release point and enhances the ability to locate their pitches. I aggree with that. Bob Byrd
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| tyronethunder | -- 02-26-2005 @ 7:54 AM |
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My son attended a major college camp this winter. They emphasized a flat ground workout. They felt that it was the place to work on your delivery. They also had the player only throw 60 to 75 % of their normal speed and only about 3/4 the normal pitching distance. I would think that if you are preparing to pitch in a game, start with the flat groundwork then, if possible, throw your last few pitches from a mound. That way you loosen up slowly and work on the most important part of pitching, mechanics. PS Go Gamecocks! This message was edited by tyronethunder on 2-26-05 @ 7:55 AM
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| afanforlife | -- 02-26-2005 @ 12:40 PM |
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TT, If you are warming up for a game why would you only throw a few pitches from a mound? Aren't you going to pitch the game from a mound. I agree you can start from flat ground and maybe even some from in front of the mound but if you are going to throw a lot from the ground I would do a lot of it from 70-75 ft (if you're on the big field) and throw through the catcher. Throwing from behind the mound is especially good for working on a change up because for the ball to reach the catcher you have to use your full motion and this is what makes a change effective. I also agree bullpen work should be done at less that full strength but once again if I am worming for a game most of my pitches will be from a mound. Also, what do you see major league pitchers doing before a game when they pitch? They long toss in the outfield. This message was edited by afanforlife on 2-26-05 @ 12:46 PM
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