The Pitching Key to Torque is in the “Tilt”
November 18, 2009
One of the main reasons a pitcher the size of Tim Lincecum, can generate as much 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 velocity.
Now why would a higher release point generate more velocity?
This is because of the tilting of the body over the landing leg to allow the arm to extend up over the head at release. This tilting, shown in the pictures of Tim Lincecum in this article, works with gravity to add more weight to the back shoulder at the component of “Separation,” as listed in the Ace Pitcher Handbook, and also illustrated perfectly in the picture of Tim above. Just a small amount of extra weight applied to the back shoulder at “Separation” and “Triple Extension” of the back leg, will create optimal core torque. It is like someone pulling your shoulders back after your back leg drives and just before your shoulders fire to the target. Notice in the picture of Randy Johnson, his weight is balanced over his entire body more than Tim’s, therefore Randy’s core torque is minimal. Another indication that Randy does not have optimal core torque is in his back foot and hip. They are both facing first base in comparison to Tim’s, who is facing home plate. This is because Randy’s weight is leaning more towards first base, which is pushing his hips back towards third base, instead of giving them the freedom to fire with his back leg, open to the target, like in the picture of Tim above.
At this point in the article please DO NOT run outside and start pitching with your head hanging way over your landing leg side because the head is not the focus of the “Tilt.” The key factor in creating the “Tilt” is the position of the chest. The chest must be centered and balanced perfectly over the landing leg and as the arm begins to extend out and up to release the ball, the chest must position itself farther away from the release point to balance this position. This is why Tim’s head moves more to his glove side the closer he gets to his release point. This is where balance is critical because anything more to the right or left initially, is too much and will effect velocity and accuracy.
Another benefit of the “Tilt,” is it helps prevent a shoulder impingement because the glove shoulder will adduct lower and the throwing shoulder will abduct higher at release, removing pressure created by the acromion impinging the rotator cuff.
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Written by Brent Pourciau · Filed Under Pitching Articles
Tagged: ace pitcher, angles, body mechanics, freedom, gravity, hea, hips, leg side, randy johnson, shoulders, target, tim Lincecum, torque, Velocity
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[...] Lean into your stride – Some pitching coaches will coach a pitcher to lean over their belt buckle during the stride. Some will even coach the pitcher to crouch inward at leg lift. This can hurt velocity if at front foot strike the pitcher is not tilted over the butt. It is easier and more effective to start in a tilt position. Tim Lincecum is a great example of this tilt and it is a big reason for his ability to create so much torque at front foot strike. To learn more about the tilt read this article called, The Pitching Key to Torque is in the “Tilt”. [...]
[...] must be balanced over the shoulders. This means it is not hanging over the chest. Pitchers like Tim Lincecum like to even “Tilt” their heads back over their butt in this [...]