This has a lot to do with the trickle down theory. Most of baseball gets their education from Major League Baseball. The problem with the MLB is that they are made up of an elite group of athletes. Therefore the league does not have to spend a lot of time in physical development of their players because everyone they acquire is already developed. This is why they draft athletes over baseball players. If you want proof just look at the 2000 MLB draft when the Colorado Rookies Drafted Michael Vick in the 30th round. The last time Michael Vick played baseball was in the 8th grade. They drafted him because he is one of the best athletes in the country. The MLB would rather draft athletes than just baseball players because they know it is easier to turn an athlete into a pitcher than a pitcher into an athlete. This is why the MLB has very little knowledge and experience in physical fitness and development. So why does all the levels under the MLB look to them for guidance in physical fitness and development? Good question!

This is why sites like TopVelocity.net are popular because elite leagues like the MLB are not providing adequate information in the physical fitness and development of baseball players.  This is also why their understanding of good pitching mechanics does not translate well to a physically underdeveloped pitcher.

Velocity Specificity

If you search velocity specificity on Google, you will discover a list of case studies on the topic. The reason for the studies is because of the demand for legal performance enhancement in sports. In the baseball world we are very aware of this demand for performance enhancement because illegal performance enhancing drugs have plagued the game for decades. These studies all look to the strength and conditioning world for this enhancement mainly because it is legal and it is effective. Strength and conditioning was first developed to rehabilitate the athlete from injury but what we discovered was that it not only rehabilitated the athlete, if continued, it would enhance performance. This is why today almost every top level college baseball team has some type of fitness expert on staff.

These velocity specificity studies have discovered, which is described in detail in the 5th study from the references below, that there is a lot of opposing theory around the most effective strategy to train velocity but all of the evidence does point to resistance training or weight training as the primary factor. Studies where a weight training group was compared to a non-weight training group proved that the weight training group always increased velocity. You will also find another 3-4 studies on this website with the same results. More important than the fact that resistance training or weight training is so effective in increasing velocity, is that in all cases where velocity was enhanced, the intent to move quickly was the consistent factor. It was more important than the load used during the training. The catch was heavy loads produced a higher intent to move quickly but if you lightened the load and could keep the same intent, velocity still increased. This means if you are training with 70% of your one rep max then you must move explosive enough to where your intent to move makes up for the other 30% of your max effort. This is extremely important to understand because you may not want to go really heavy with weights, so you must make up for this loss with your intent. This means you better train explosively if you are not training heavy which is not always easy to do.

As for velocity specificity when it comes to pitching mechanics it is most effective to develop the motor coordination through the entire kinetic chain as opposed to only training a few muscle groups like the throwing arm. This is where using weighted balls to train the shoulder is not as effective as using an weight training program to train the entire body and a throwing program to develop the motor coordination to use this total body power to increase velocity to the ball.

The 3X Pitching Velocity Program takes this approach and here is an introductory video to the 3X mechanics to learn more about total body explosive pitching mechanics.

References:

1. Velocity specificity of resistance training
2. Velocity specificity, combination training and sport specific tasks
3. Velocity specificity of weight training for kayak sprint performance
4. Coordination, the determinant of velocity specificity?
5. Velocity Specificity of Resistance Training: Actual Movement Velocity Versus Intention to Move Explosively

In my last interview with the legendary guru of Speed and Strength Training, from D1 Sports in Tennessee, Kurt Hester, stated that Major League Baseball is using glorified physical therapy instead of strength and conditioning. This was a shot at the lame approach to training and rehabilitating athletes in the MLB organizations. This is coming from a guy who trains some of NFL’s most explosive athletes and who was label as Gorilla Ball, when he was training the LSU tigers in the 90′s.

Kurt says that fear is a major problem with baseball players. They train the way they do because of the fear that comes from the higher levels of the game. He also says that if young baseball players trained like Major League ball players, they would never get better. The fear is that weight training, especially heavy weight training, will make you bulky and will cause injury. Kurt says the MLB’s athletic trainers are running glorified physical therapy programs and not actually training their athletes to become bigger, stronger and faster.  This is why I believe top draft picks and big salary pitcher’s like Mark Prior leave the league with a career ending injury, after only 3 years in the show, and never make it back.

This is the reason players like Barry Bonds carried his own trainers and doctors almost everywhere he went. Kurt said what makes athletes better is increasing force production. If you can train to move more explosively in a vertical or linear direction, then you are a better athlete because of it. This force production translates into running speed, bat speed and throwing velocity. This is the same approach he used when he trained the LSU Baseball team to 5 National Championships in the 90′s and 2000. He enhanced the force production of every athlete on the team and yes, even the pitchers benefited from it. They all became so developed that they were calling the LSU style of play, Gorilla Ball. This style of training, developed by Kurt Hester, was not only revolutionizing LSU baseball but the entire game. Kurt was receiving calls from Major League Managers who wanted to know why they were hitting so many runs, stealing so many bases, and their pitchers collecting so many K’s. When he would tell them that he was focusing on force production, through heavy load and triple extension training, these Major League Coach’s wanted to use his program but everyone of them shied away from the program because of the worries that they would be scrutinized for using this type of heavy load training in the MLB. Kurt says baseball is behind Golf when it comes to strength and conditioning.

Learn More about Kurt Hester

Kurt Hester is the National Director of Training for D1 Sports Training. He is known nationally for his energetic approach to training top-tier athletes.

Kurt is D1′s primary authority on sports training and is responsible for instilling the D1 training philosophy and making sure all D1 coaches properly implement and teach training programs and techniques. In addition, Kurt oversees D1′s NFL Combine Training Program.

Prior to D1, Kurt ran and owned HS2 Athletic Performance in New Orleans for nine years, where he turned out more than 400 collegiate scholarship athletes and trained more than 50 NFL draft picks. He also trained numerous MLB draft picks, high school All-Americans, state championship teams and collegiate National Track & Field finalists. Prior to HS2, Kurt was a strength & speed coach at LSU, Tulane and Southeastern Louisiana University. In addition, Kurt is still an active strength and speed consultant at Florida State, Tennessee, Illinois, Ole Miss, Alabama, Nichols State, Grambling State and the Unviersity of Miami.

Kurt, a graduate of Tulane Unviersity, was inducted into the Strength Coach Hall of Fame and holds various certifications through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, United States Weightlifting and the Speed, Agility and Conditioning Association. Kurt learned under USA Weightlifting coach, Gayle Hatch and speed coach, Tom Shaw.

If you would like to watch the interview with the legendary Kurt Hester, it is hosted on TopVelocity.net and is also a part of the 3X Pitching Velocity Program.

Dallas Baseball Instruction

If you are looking for instruction in the Dallas area then checkout Coach Pourciau’s video analysis which also comes with his One on One email coaching. His instruction is some of the best you will find. He has worked with hundreds of successful baseball players in all levels of play.

Dallas Baseball Training Programs

If you are a position player looking to gain sprinting and bat speed then the Baseball Training Manual is what you need. It comes with a free stream to the instructional videos for you to learn all of the drills, exercises and lifts. Coach Pourciau is also available to do video analysis for your lifting mechanics. For more information contact Coach above.

If you are a pitcher and looking to add 5-10mph to your velocity then you must start the revolutionary 3X Pitching Velocity Program today. It is a 16 week program which comes with the 3X Velocity System of med throws and target throws along with the Fusion system which is a complete strength and conditioning program.

Dallas Baseball USSSA Travel Teams

If you are a travel team looking for a training program for your position players or pitchers then contact Coach Pourciau and he will customize your program to meet your needs. 985-377-9249

Dallas Baseball Video Analysis (Pitchers)

Here are some of the top Pitching Velocity Programs online. These programs and baseball training videos have produced some serious results in increasing velocity, preventing injury, improving longevity, enhancing power production and helping those ball players get to the next level. A good place to start is with a Pitching Video Analysis so you can learn how the 3X programs will benefit you.

All these programs or in a digital format. If you would like these digital programs gift rapped and shipped then add the 3X Digital Cube to your cart along with your programs and the digital programs will be uploaded to the USB flash drive, gift rapped and shipped to the address you specify in the gift shipping section at checkout.

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Dallas Baseball Training Program (All Position Players Ages 14U)

Here are some of the top Pitching Velocity Programs online. These programs and baseball training videos have produced some serious results in increasing velocity, preventing injury, improving longevity, enhancing power production and helping those ball players get to the next level. A good place to start is with a Pitching Video Analysis so you can learn how the 3X programs will benefit you.

All these programs or in a digital format. If you would like these digital programs gift rapped and shipped then add the 3X Digital Cube to your cart along with your programs and the digital programs will be uploaded to the USB flash drive, gift rapped and shipped to the address you specify in the gift shipping section at checkout.

Dallas Pitcher’s Velocity Program (Ages 8U)

Here are some of the top Pitching Velocity Programs online. These programs and baseball training videos have produced some serious results in increasing velocity, preventing injury, improving longevity, enhancing power production and helping those ball players get to the next level. A good place to start is with a Pitching Video Analysis so you can learn how the 3X programs will benefit you.

All these programs or in a digital format. If you would like these digital programs gift rapped and shipped then add the 3X Digital Cube to your cart along with your programs and the digital programs will be uploaded to the USB flash drive, gift rapped and shipped to the address you specify in the gift shipping section at checkout.

Serving Areas: Addison, Mesquite, Farmers, Richardson, Lancaster, Irving, Martin’s Mill, Sunnyvale, Garland, Hutchins, Balch Springs, Plano, Carrollton, DeSoto, Duncanville, Wilmer, Red Oak, Rowlett, Grand Prairie

Start your baseball training programs today! For all position players 14 years and up purchase the Jackson Baseball Training Program below. This program comes with Video analysis of your drills and exercises. If you have any questions about the program please contact Coach Pourciau. If you are under age 14 and would like to start on a baseball training program you can also contact Coach Pourciau.

All pitchers must purchase the Jackson Pitcher’s Velocity Program if you are ages 8 and up. This program uses the revolutionary approach to pitching velocity called 3X Pitching. This program is for those pitchers who are in the off season but if you would like to start learning the program in season it is advised. If you have any questions or would like to talk to a coach about the program then contact Coach Pourciau.

If you are on a USSSA travel team and are looking for a custom coaching and training program for your team then please contact Coach Pourciau. He can custom design a program for your age group.

This is a virtual academy using digital science and digital technology to coach and train today’s baseball players. Please contact us about local facilities, travel teams, instruction, clinics, camps and more!

Jackson Baseball Training Program (All Position Players Ages 14U)

Here are some of the top Pitching Velocity Programs online. These programs and baseball training videos have produced some serious results in increasing velocity, preventing injury, improving longevity, enhancing power production and helping those ball players get to the next level. A good place to start is with a Pitching Video Analysis so you can learn how the 3X programs will benefit you.

All these programs or in a digital format. If you would like these digital programs gift rapped and shipped then add the 3X Digital Cube to your cart along with your programs and the digital programs will be uploaded to the USB flash drive, gift rapped and shipped to the address you specify in the gift shipping section at checkout.

Jackson Pitcher’s Velocity Program (Ages 8U)

Here are some of the top Pitching Velocity Programs online. These programs and baseball training videos have produced some serious results in increasing velocity, preventing injury, improving longevity, enhancing power production and helping those ball players get to the next level. A good place to start is with a Pitching Video Analysis so you can learn how the 3X programs will benefit you.

All these programs or in a digital format. If you would like these digital programs gift rapped and shipped then add the 3X Digital Cube to your cart along with your programs and the digital programs will be uploaded to the USB flash drive, gift rapped and shipped to the address you specify in the gift shipping section at checkout.

Serving Areas: Trenton, Mercer County, Lawrenceville, Twin Pine, Washington Crossing, Princeton, Kingston, Rocky Hill, Hopewell, Pennington, Sourland Mountain Acq., Englishtown, Yorketown, East Freehold, Morganville, Old Bridge, Monroe Township, Whittingham, Concordia, Clearbrook Park, Rossmoor, Dayton, Monmouth, Heathcote, Cranbury, Twin Rivers, Roosevelt, Lakewood, Allenwood, Neptune, Ramtown, Ceda Glen West, Point Pleasant Beach, Spring Lake Heights, Belmar, Bradley, Wanamassa, Manchester Township, Ocean Gate, Seaside Park, Lavallette, Leisure Village West-Pine lake Park, lakehurst, Holiday City-Berkeley, New Egypt

This question can stir up a big argument but there is only one answer. The arm does not generate the velocity. It only guides the pitch. Therefore the arm must follow the body and does not come into play until the body has done its job.

I have been in many arguments about this issue. I have listened to coaches tell their pitchers that if they want to throw harder they need to speed up their arms. My question is how will speeding up your arm increase your velocity? This doesn’t make much sense because if you arm leads your body, it must leave the body behind. If you leave the body behind then it is up to the small muscles of the arm to take the entire workload of generating 90+ mph.

I think to prove my answer to the question above we must once again look at the little pitchers in the game. This is because these guys must work a lot harder to generate 90+ mph. I go once again to my favorite little man Tim Lincecum; 5’7 165 lbs. Notice the picture here of him at front foot strike. Now, where is his arm? It is hiding behind his body. YES, all you coaches out there who are coaching your pitchers to speed up there arms, it is behind his body. This means his body is driving the pitch. This means his body is generating the velocity. This means the arm is along for the ride.

The coaches who will argue my point here are the coaches who use giant pitchers like Randy Johnson as their example of pitchers who have a lot of arm action. This is true but these pitchers have more leverage on the ball than the average man. If you are 6’8 like Randy Johnson then congratulations you are in a small percentage of baseball players but if you are 6’2 and under take it easy on your arm and learn to work your body as a single unit in your delivery. When you work on generating velocity, work on pulling it from your legs and core and not your arm.

I recommend using medicine balls as often as you can. I have many throwing drills with these balls that force the pitcher to use every muscle they have to make the throw. This is how we must pitch if we want to throw and withstand 90+ mph.

The Ace Pitcher Handbook has a full medicine ball workout.

Velocity is Speed! By saying, “I want to increase my velocity” is no different than saying,” I want to increase my 60 yard dash time” or “I want to increase my vertical jump.” If you want to throw harder you need to learn to move faster. Every professional ball player I have played with or had the opportunity to watch had some hidden explosive power within them. Every young athlete that comes into my Baseball Academy who wants to increase velocity shows potential but does not have the awareness and understanding to accelerate their bodies to levels of a professional ball player. If you spoke with any Major League Umpire about the difference between the game in the high school levels to the major league levels the first thing out of their mouth would be the speed of the game. If speed is such a big factor in the advanced levels of the game then why do most baseball players train like golfers? Why do they look like cross country runners? To answer these questions we need to first ask one more. Why does Major League Baseball spend more time recruiting in Latin countries than American States?

The reason is laziness and conventional wisdom. Latin countries play the game as we do but when Americans dream of playing Major League Baseball it means having the opportunity to play on TV and look like a super star. Latin ball players see the dream of playing Major League Baseball as the opportunity to save their families from oppression and poverty. This is a bigger fear factor for them than us Americans. Just read about the story of Aroldis Chapman from Cuba who risked his life to play Major League Baseball and left his entire family behind, including his new born child. This fear factor forces them to do whatever it takes to perform at an optimal level. This optimal level in any sport is a measurement of speed. If you do not have fear or an obsessive drive pushing you to reach your optimal level then how will you ever increase pitching velocity. It sure doesn’t come from a quick mechanical fix or the latest supplement. It comes from a deep desire way down in your soul to be an extra ordinary individual. Not someone who is satisfied with just playing video games all day or satisfied with just making the varsity team. It comes from a soldier of the game who is determined to be the best no matter the circumstances.

If you really want to increase pitching velocity you must find that desire I speak of and use that drive to push your levels to speeds of a professional athlete. If you can not find this drive within you then your chances of actually increasing pitching velocity are limited. Once you have accomplished this then learning good pitching mechanics will help prevent injury and will assist velocity through efficiency.

When you are ready, I recommend you sign up for the FREE Velocity Starter Kit and read these articles:

10 Legitimate tips to Pitching Velocity

Triple Extension – 3X Pitching

The Phenomenon of Speed Mechanics!