Tim Lincecum Teaches Top Velocity

by Brent Pourciau · May 5, 2009

There are two forces that add velocity to a pitch:

Momentum
Rotational Torque

For momentum to effectively transfer to the ball, the pitcher must use all rotational pivots in order from the bottom up. The hips must rotate before the shoulders and the shoulders before the arm internally rotates. For this to happen effectively these pivots must be free to rotate completely. Notice the picture of Tim Lincecum at the bottom of the page (Tim Lincecum is a phenom because of his size and ability to reach his top velocity continuously.) Notice in the picture his weight is slightly leaning to his left. This would be like tilting an open door backwards so the open door slams closed due to gravitational forces. This gravitational pull is helping to create full range of motion in Tim Lincecum’s hips and shoulders at front foot strike. If he or the door was tilted the opposite way then these gravitational forces would work against his momentum by decreasing full range of motion in his rotational pivots. Using the force of gravity to increase the range of motion in your hips and shoulders will have a significant effect on your velocity. This is a big reason why Tim Lincecum can throw so hard for his size. He is working with the forces of nature to generate his power.

The Bio-Mechanics of Tim Lincecum

how lincecum throws so hard If you study the animated image here of Tim pitching you can see clearly the effective transfer of momentum through his rotational pivots. Watch his front leg land and his back hip rotate all the way around as his back leg triple extends. From here the momentum moves into the core because his front leg has stabilized and his weight is being held back because his back shoulder is waiting for his hips to open to the target. This forces the core to tighten because the hips are rotating before the shoulders. His core looks like a rag being rung out or a rubber band being twisted at this point in the delivery. After this tightening of the core, the momentum travels up into the shoulders. This torque pulls the back shoulder around and he sets the fulcrum, for the rotating shoulders, with his glove hand over his front leg. The front leg continues to stabilize as his weight begins to shift over his front knee allowing the momentum to transfer into the final pivot. This is the shoulder pivot or the rotator cuff. Notice that when his trunk is fully forward, his arm is completely externally rotated. Now the arm fires like a rubber band and begins to rotate forward as also all the momentum from the body jumps into the ball like a passenger riding in a car and hitting a brick wall at 100 mph.

The Lessons to learn from Tim Lincecum

What Tim Lincecum continues to teach us is how to pitch with the entire body and that the arm is only along for the ride. This is exactly why little guys can throw so hard and old pitchers can still compete. Tim Lincecum uses gravity to aid momentum and his momentum to build torque in all of his rotational pivots. He also fires those pivots in the perfect order at the perfect time for effective momentum transfer. Everytime Tim Lincecum pitches, you should be watching because it is a lesson in Top Velocity.

Get Email Updates (it's Free):

Subscribe NOW and confirm your email to stay up to date on the latest Pitching Research. Subscribers-only will be notified immediately when new articles are launched. Get the information FIRST by filling out the form here.

The Phenomenon Of Speed Mechanics!

We have all heard about the importance of momentum in pitching but do we really know what it means and how it works? Pitching velocity is a product of momentum and rotational torque. I believe that top velocity is achieved when both momentum and rotational torque meet. The problem is we all understand rotational forces when throwing but momentum seems to be a lot harder to truly understand and implement...

Tim Lincecum Slow Mo

Tim Lincecum is the picture perfect little guy in the big leagues. View his delivery below and notice his amazing ability to generate momentum in his small frame. It looks like his body is taking a ride down the hill. Most importantly watch his ability to control and time the momentum he is generating. Not only is he explosive like a gymnast but he is as efficient as a machine. ...

Most Popular Product

3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program $497

A total scientific approach to pitching that is guaranteed to make you the best on your team and get you drafted one day. If you are tired of being coached by conventional wisdom and you know you have a ton more pitching velocity in you, then you must purchase this revolutionary approach to pitching velocity NOW. This program is for all ages and has everything you will ever need to add 5-10mph or more to your pitching velocity! So, don't blow another $500 on a month of bad pitching instruction when you can get started with the 3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program and start adding pitching velocity TODAY!

What You Will Gain From the 3X Programs

The Latest And Greatest Info And Research On Becoming A High Velocity Pitcher, PERIOD!
An Insane Worth Ethic Which Will Make Your Team Envious!
A 1.5 Power To Weight Ratio Which Will Make People Think You Are On Steroids!
Perfect High Velocity Pitching Mechanics!
A Totally New Perspective On How To Dominate On The Mound!
5-10 Or More MPH In Pitching Velocity!
A Major League Edge On The Competition Which Will Make You Stand Out Among Scouts!
The Top Pitching Velocity Program Online Which is Currently Used By Tons of Professionals, Major D1 Colleges and more!

Click here to read more… or order now to capture the 3X Extreme Pitching Velocity Program at an insane low price before it expires!

Author Profile

Comments

http://www.topvelocity.net Brent Pourciau

Ron, you really need to be doing all of the drills in the 3X velocity system and just focusing more on the one I described above to help you with your issues.

Contact me when you have a better idea of when you can make a trip.
Ron

I was just talking to my dad about the camp and he said maybe the June one, but then he suggested to go In December. He can't make a decision so I wanted to make a deal, when my dad knows a good date to go can he just call you up and make an appointment any time.
Ron

Alright Brent I will try that drill for two weeks then I will give you some feedback.
http://www.topvelocity.net Brent Pourciau

Ron,

You are right on track here. I wish you could make the Velocity Camp so I could make this a lot easier and show you how the Velocity Drills in the 3X Pitching Velocity Program will help solve this fulcrum problem. Basically when you are performing the med throws with separation you need to focus on driving your back hip forward with triple extension while closing your shoulders off at the same time. Your back hip should be moving forward while your back shoulder is moving backwards. The best drill to train this is the med throw sep on knee. Spend a good two weeks on this and see if you notice a difference in hip to shoulder separation and a better tuck of your glove side.

Filed Under Pitching Articles
Tagged: animated gif, animation, balls, brick wall, force of gravity, fulcrum, generations, glove hand, gravitational pull, gravity, harding, hips, learning, leg land, legs, little guys, momentum, phenome, pitch, pitcher, pitchers, pitches, pitching, pivot, pivots, rubber band, shoulders, slams, throwing, Tim Lincecum, torque, transfer, Velocity, weight

Topvelocity.net is a Baseball Pitching and velocity improvement training program. Our main offerings include: a Pitching Velocity Program along with tips and articles to increase a pitchers velocity and online Pitching Video Analysis for players.

Tim Lincecum Teaches Top Velocity

The Bio-Mechanics of Tim Lincecum