target Pitching Articles
Here are some pitching articles on this important pitching velocity topic. This topic is currently open for discussion. You can either comment on the articles below or start a thread in the pitching forums.
Study Proves Separation-Timing More Accurate Measurement Of Pitch Velocity
by Brent Pourciau · January 30, 2013
Separation-timing more accurate measurement of pitch velocity, WHAT IS THIS?
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better and it does!
If you know anything about 3X Pitching, you know the power of hip to shoulder separation. If you do not know anything about 3X Pitching then watch this video on 3X Pitching 101. 3X Pitching is a comprehensive approach to high velocity pitching that teaches the enhancement of hip to shoulder separation through a linear force vector and an explosive triple extension (3X).
Hip to shoulder separation has been labeled as a way to measure the high velocity pitcher. The National Pitching Association in their studies of over 500+ pitchers have discovered that the average Major League Pitcher has 40-60 degrees of hip to shoulder separation. Read more
Study Proves Arm Path Most Effective For Increasing Pitching Speed
by Brent Pourciau · January 2, 2013
A popular and conventional topic of pitching mechanics is “Arm Path.” This means the path the arm takes out of the glove into pitch release. Do you break your hands early or late? Do you swing the arm up or down? Do you through your elbows high or low? Do you break your arms hard or soft? Does any of this even matter?
The major issue with just coaching the “Arm Path” to increase pitching velocity is like telling the passenger in the car to start pushing the car so we can go faster. It is a backwards approach to pitching velocity and like the passenger in the car, it is better to tell him to just hold on for the ride. Read more
The 3X To 2X Factor To Pitching Velocity
by Brent Pourciau · February 1, 2012
If you have spent any time on this site you have learned the importance of triple extension to building explosive power in the pitching delivery. The 3X approach to pitching velocity labels this as the 3X Factor to pitching velocity. It is the foundation to the entire approach but it isn’t the only factor. 3X Pitching also describes the 2X Factor to pitching velocity which seems to be overlooked by many who believe that increasing pitching velocity only comes in the discovery of one secret or one component. 3X is important and will have a tremendous effect on pitching velocity but in combinations with 2X it is what the elite pitcher needs to perform at his top velocity. Read more
3X Pitching Mechanics Triggers To Benefit You Game Time
by Brent Pourciau · January 9, 2012
3X Pitching is an advanced approach to pitching velocity. It is extremely effective but requires an insane work ethic to implement the 3X mechanics. It is hard enough to perfect the 3X approach when in practice, when in a game, it can almost seem impossible until you have given it enough time and effort. What makes game time so difficult is the stress factor. Stress effects the brain by overloading it with excessive stimulation. This means all of the new motor coordination, that has just been programmed, is out the window when stress shows up. The only way to battle this is to learn how to reduce your stress levels by giving your brain some triggers to simplify the mechanics commands to help stimulate your central nervous system. Read more
Conquer The Force Vector And Increase Pitching Velocity
by Brent Pourciau · October 30, 2011
The hardest component to conquer in the power pitching delivery is bar far the force vector. Most pitching coaches do not coach this component because they more than likely have no idea what it is. If you want to increase velocity quickly, or you need to increase velocity quickly, then spend your time training this secret component to pitching velocity. It is the foundation of the 3X approach to pitching.
If we compared the pitching delivery of a power pitcher to a high powered riffle then the force vector would be the barrel and triple extension would be the trigger. Without either one, your high powered riffle is junk. It also doesn’t matter how much gun powder is in the gun, without the barrel or the trigger, it is useless. Read more
Increase Velocity For Position Players
by Brent Pourciau · September 10, 2011
The 3X Pitching Velocity Program has made a big name for itself online, due to its ability to produce results for any age and at all levels of the game. The foundation of the approach to pitching is 3X or triple extension, which is a component that is mainly effective for the pitcher. 3X is what allows a pitcher to build their maximum power down the mound. With an outfielder and even an infielder, they do not have the surface of the pitching mound to deal with and they do not start in a static position like when on the rubber. This means triple extension is not a necessary component for the fielder. All the fielder needs to maximize throwing velocity without slowing down his time to release is a double extension of the drive leg to begin the high velocity movement. Read more
Arm Path And Pitching Velocity
by Brent Pourciau · August 24, 2011
There is one “Arm Path” to pitching velocity that all high velocity pitchers take. This “Arm Path” begins not where conventional wisdom would believe, which is after hand break, but in the cocked position at front foot strike. The funky delivery here of Zach Outman is a great example of how the “Arm Path” of the high velocity pitcher works. What makes his pitching delivery so different is because he starts his delivery with his arms above his head instead of the conventional way, which is in the glove below the head. This out of the box approach makes it easier for him to get his throwing arm into the prefect cocked position at front foot strike, so he can generate his top velocity. Read more
Pitchers Power Drive Position
by Brent Pourciau · June 12, 2011
Think power and drive! The pitchers first few movements in his delivery is critical to his overall velocity. Just like a sprinters first step is more significant to his overall time than any other step in his sprint. If a pitcher fails to hit some key components in the beginning of his delivery then his pitching velocity will suffer. These key components would put the pitcher into his Power Drive Position.
There currently is a gimmick that supposedly helps the pitcher to get into this position but the problem with these gimmicks is if you cannot pitch with this device in a game, what use does it have for the pitcher? If the pitcher can not put himself into this power drive position without the device then it is a total waste of money. I have never worked with the device, so this is not a review.
The 3X Pitching Velocity Program trains the pitcher through drills to achieve this Power Drive Position. I will cover some of these components here that are in full detail in the 3X Pitching Velocity Program. Read more
Pitching Speed And The Glove
by Brent Pourciau · May 13, 2011
There is a lot of controversy around the glove side to pitching mechanics. Conventional Wisdom would coach the pitcher to pull down or pull around the glove side to launch the throwing arm into action. The problem is this would go against pure speed and classic physics.
The reality is that the glove arm to shoulder must act as a fulcrum for the shoulders during the throw to allow for efficient speed mechanics. To understand this we must first define the fulcrum. A fulcrum is the pivot about which a lever turns. The lever in pitching mechanics is the shoulders and also the hips but in this article we are only talking about the shoulders. The shoulders must swing like a door towards the target. Once they open then the arm must launch over the top of the door. If the pivot or fulcrum of the door is moving when the door is slamming closed then the door will not reach its top velocity. The same results would occur with other tools that use the fulcrum or pivot to swing a lever. Good examples similar to pitching, which I have used on this site, would be the catapult or mouse trap. Read more
Dallas Baseball VAcademy
by Brent Pourciau · March 29, 2011
If you are looking for baseball coaching and training in the Dallas, Texas area then look no further. The Dallas Baseball vAcademy is run by National Pitching Coach Brent Pourciau. He has developed some of the top training programs around the country. His 3X Pitching Velocity Program is used all over the world. This program along with his Baseball Training manuals, for all position players, is all you need to take it to the next level.
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. Read more
3 Keys To Pitching Velocity
by Brent Pourciau · October 24, 2010
The 3 Keys to Pitching Velocity fall outside of conventional wisdom. These 3 Keys to Pitching Velocity do not exist in the vocabulary of most high school and college pitching coaches. These 3 keys to Pitching Velocity are arguably the best FREE pitching advice you will find on the web.
Before I give you these keys you need to prepare your mind for success because these keys will change how you look at pitching and velocity. More than likely the knowledge you have of pitching velocity is not getting the job done and YES you can gain knowledge from a source like TopVelocity.net which will guide you to pitching velocity that you have dreamed of reaching. Obviously, I am proud of these 3 Keys to Pitching Velocity because I am gloating but I did have to pay a heavy price for this knowledge. I had to overcome a career ending rotator cuff tear before playing pro ball, along with over ten years of searching and searching for this knowledge and abusing my body through trial and error. These 3 Keys helped me to reach my velocity goals after several doctors told me I would never pitch again. So here goes! Read more
3X Pitching And The Timing Factor
by Brent Pourciau · May 16, 2010
Triple Extension or 3X is the extension of the drive leg ankle, knee and hip flexor. Triple Extending the drive leg as the front side opens, drives the hips completely through to the target. If triple extension occurs quick enough and with enough force at the end of the stride, while the shoulders stay closed and relaxed, this will create optimal hip to shoulder separation.
Many studies have confirmed the correlation of hip to shoulder separation to pitching velocity (1,2,3,4,5). Therefore if you are going to increase velocity, you must learn to increase hip to shoulder separation by learning triple extension (3X) and 3X foot sync. Once you learn how to incorporate full triple extension into your pitching delivery, you will not see its benefits until you master the final factor. The final factor in learning any new muscle memory is the timing factor. The timing factor of 3X is critical to creating 40-60 degrees of hip to shoulder separation which research has shown to be the Major League average. Read more
Band Separation Pitching Drill
by Brent Pourciau · January 10, 2010
The main purpose of a Drill, is to practice a component of the delivery that will help to correct a mechanical flaw. I also believe it is important to add resistance to a drill to help imprint the new muscle memory.
The drill below should be performed 2 – 3 days a week, for at least 3 – 4 months. The drill should also be performed after completing the “Flexibility Training” portion of the Fusion System which can be found in the Ace Pitcher Handbook. You can also find more drills in the handbook. Try to push each drill to muscle fatigue, if possible. Read more
Band Chest Thrust Pitching Drill
by Brent Pourciau · January 10, 2010
The main purpose of a Drill, is to practice a component of the delivery that will help to correct a mechanical flaw. I also believe it is important to add resistance to a drill to help imprint the new muscle memory.
The drill below should be performed 2 – 3 days a week, for at least 3 – 4 months. The drill should also be performed after completing the “Flexibility Training” portion of the Fusion System which can be found in the Ace Pitcher Handbook. You can also find more drills in the handbook. Try to push each drill to muscle fatigue, if possible. Read more
The Pitching Key To Torque Is In The “Tilt”
by Brent Pourciau · November 18, 2009
One of the main reasons a pitcher the size of Tim Lincecum, can generate as much pitching velocity as a pitcher as tall as Randy Johnson, is because of core torque. The key to Tim Lincecum’s ability to create optimal torque is in his release point.
Tim has an “Over the top” release point and Randy has a “Sidearm” release point. I am not saying that every pitcher should throw the ball with a higher release point the shorter they are because there are benefits with all arm angles. What I am saying is a higher release point, using total body mechanics, will generate more core torque and in return increase pitching velocity if done correctly. Read more
Pitching Velocity Drills – Hold The Load
by Brent Pourciau · August 25, 2009
The purpose of this drill is to enforce the “Load” position. To perform this drill you need a step or box about a foot high or higher based on your leg strength. The higher the lift, the stronger your legs must be to “Hold the Load.” To learn more about the importance of the “Load” position read this article “Lift for Show, Load for Doe.” Read more
The Secrets Behind Throwing Hard
by Brent Pourciau · July 10, 2009
Dr. James Andrews at ASMI put together a study of low velocity pitchers to high velocity pitchers to determine the difference in pitching mechanics. It was a good feeling after reading this study because the same information coming from Dr. Andrews is the same information Top Velocity has been coaching and training for years. It proves why I overcame a rotator cuff tear and was able to reach 94 mph on my fastball post surgery. Read more
Triple Extension Pitching Creates Optimal Separation
by Brent Pourciau · June 6, 2009
For all of those pitchers who are trying to develop more separation in back hip to back shoulder, you will only achieve this with explosive triple extension of the drive leg. “Triple Extension” is the extension of the ankle joint, knee joint and the hip flexor. You must perform this in your drive leg so your back hip can open completely to the target. If you keep your shoulders and weight back while aligning your Force Vector and once your Force Vector is linear you perform”Triple Extension,” optimal “Separation” will occur. Read more
The Pitching Windup Vs Stretch
by Brent Pourciau · March 8, 2009
I get this question a lot, “the windup vs the stretch, what is better?” The problem is the windup is almost sacred to the game of baseball but it really has no purpose besides a kind of confidence builder on the mental state of the pitcher. The windup represents the old style of pitching from back in the day when the pitchers would use the windup to get their arms moving faster like in the video clip here of Dizzy Dean. Now that we have learned that doing this is destructive to pitching velocity, the windup has become just an extra step to throwing in the stretch. Read more
The Split Perspective Of Separation
by Brent Pourciau · February 17, 2009
Separation is a major component to developing top velocity and longevity. Separation means having separation from your back hip to back shoulder at front foot strike. Notice the picture here of Felix Hernandez. His back hip is pointing towards home plate and his back shoulder is pointing towards second base. This creates torque in the core. You can see the stretching in his jersey around the stomach area. Having more torque in the core instead of the shoulder of the arm will lead to more velocity and a healthier arm. Read more
Recent Forum Topics
- shoulder mobility
By: sam90mph - 20 hours ago - Cage pitching analysis
By: norcalRHP - yesterday - Front Leg Stabilization
By: Brent Pourciau USAW Certified - 2 days ago
