Step 7

4th Quarter and Finish of Pitching Motion

Combine the upper body movement in step 6 with the lower body movement of step 2.

Review the concepts from step 2. The important things to remember are that the shoulders must remain level with each other, the hips and shoulders rotate to the closed position at the same time so there is no twisting of the back and that the power to close the hips and slide the body forward come from a strong push of the right leg and ankle not a pull with the left leg.

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The timing of closing the hips is very important. The right hand MUST pass the hip before the hips start to close. With the hips at a 45 degree angle to the power line, the hand can come straight along the power line. If the hips close, they will extend over the power line and the hand will run into the back of the leg or more likely move off the power line to get by or in many cases the pitcher will bend at the waist and push her hips backwards to create space for the hand to stay on the power line. All of those actions lead to both loss of accuracy and speed. Accuracy is affected any time the ball moves off the power line. Speed is affected in several ways. If the pitcher creates space by leaning to the side, that directs some energy in a direction that isn’t where you want it to go. Also if the hips close early, then the shoulders close and the throwing motion becomes one of pulling the hand through as opposed to being able to whip the hand through.

The timing of the left hell hitting the ground and the left knee straightening out is also very important. Those two things happen together just as the hand is passing the hip or just a little before that point.

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