Step 5

Elbow Whip

Stand as in step 1. Hang the throwing hand arm straight down in front of the right foot leg by rolling the shoulder slightly forward. The hand is open and facing the batter. The right elbow should be touching the front of the hip bone (depending on how long her arms are). Make sure it is not touching the side of the hip bone, it must be in front of the leg. Keeping the upper arm pointing straight down, reach the hand back to shake somebody’s hand in the direction of 2nd base. Have the left hand hold the right upper arm stationary by holding it just above the elbow. The hand should be open towards 3rd base without twisting the forearm. Swing the forearm down so that the hand again faces the batter when it is straight down. The little finger should brush the player’s pants as it goes by the front of the hip. The right hand continues until the forearm is pointing directly towards the batter. Keep the hips pointed at a 45 degree angle and follow through by releasing the left hand from holding the right and lifting the elbow so that it points at the batter. The fingers should snap against the palm of the hand with that snapping motion beginning just as the hand passes the hip. Keep the weight entirely on the back foot all the way through the drill. The motion from start to follow through should be very fluid.



Start this step fairly slowly and increase the speed of that motion until she is doing it a fast as she can while being under control.

Since the hips are set at a 45 degree angle and the right forearm is extended back along the powerline, there is some stress on the arm. If it bothers the pitcher, have her start with her hips fully open and do this step as described.

The key observation points involve the path of the hand and the timing of the elbow release from the hip bone. The hand is always above the power line. The palm of the hand faces 3rd base at the start, home plate when the arm is fully straightened out, up to the sky at elbow release and and finally towards second base at the end of the follow through. The elbow gets released from the hip bone when the forearm is pointing directly towards home, basically a 90 degree angle between the upper arm and forearm. (Note, in actual pitching the elbow releases before the forearm is pointing to the batter).

When the pitcher is comfortable with this step, have her do it without holding her arm in place with her left hand.

Go To Step 6