The ability to create hip and shoulder separation in combination with producing maximum trunk rotation has been strongly correlated with increased pitch velocity. (1, 4-6, 11-14, 19) Trunk rotation can provide up to 50% of the kinetic energy and momentum for pitching. (18) This separation creates and stores elastic energy in the muscles, tendons and fascial systems through what is called the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). (5, 19) SSC refers to the muscle action when muscle lengthening is immediately followed by active muscle shortening.

For hitters, a key part of the Velo Baseball experience is going through your initial assessment which includes a movement screen and a swing analysis. Movement screening uses a series of basic tests to determine if the athlete has any mobility (usually tightness) or stability (usually lack of strength) issues.

We see it time and time again, an athlete will come in for an assessment and explain to us all of the mechanical adjustments they’ve been trying to implement based on a their favourite professional baseballer or that have been assigned to them from a previous trainer or coach. While this is great in theory, most athletes become frustrated with the process of trying to make mechanical adjustments and often revert back to what feels familiar.

Pitching coaches always talk about getting your body going fast towards home plate but is there an optimal way to do this? In this article, I discuss how high velocity throwers get their body moving by…