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.
2X Velocity Program for Position Players
The key for position players to increase throwing velocity comes in these four components; 2X Force Production, the Force Vector, Front Leg Extension and Hip to Shoulder Separation. If a position player wants to increase throwing velocity, he must enhance force production through the extension of the ankle, focus his force vector towards his target, stabilize and extend his front leg at front foot strike and convert this force or power into hip to shoulder separation. If you are new to this site and this approach to high velocity throwing, then this may be the first time you have read these terms when describing the throwing motion. Here are some simple definitions of these components to help you understand this approach.
Force Production - This is the force applied in the throwing delivery either through the drive steps or step, before front foot strike. In the last drive step force production is enhanced through the ankle kick of the drive leg. This will start force production at the foot where the body is in contact with the ground and this ground reaction force will move up the leg, into the hips, to create hip rotation.
Force Vector - This is the direction of the ground reaction forces. The force vector is the angle of the drive leg ankle to knee. The ankle to knee or force vector must be in line towards the goal or target.
Front Leg Stabilization - The front leg must also produce force which comes at front foot strike. When the front foot lands, this force moves into the ground and where there is an action there is an equal and opposite reaction which is that force moving back up the leg. If the leg continues to stabilize, this force will travel into the hip, to assist in creating hip rotation.
Hip to Shoulder Separation - This is the most critical component of all throwing deliveries. All the other components are used to serve this main component. Enhancing hip to shoulder separation at front foot strike is the key to reaching your top velocity from any position. This component describes the separation of the back hip to back shoulder at front foot strike. The more hip to shoulder separation the more coil or torque in the core which will create more velocity while reducing the stress on the arm.
The difference between the 2X throwing motion and that of the 3X Pitching motion is minus the knee extension. In the 3X pitching motion the pitcher uses the extension of all three joints in the drive leg to build as much power as possible. This is not necessary to the fielder because the fielder has an advantage with the added momentum from the movements into the throwing motion. This added momentum from the few steps moving into the throw, plus the extension of the ankle kick and the front leg, give the fielder all the power needed to create explosive hip rotation which potentially will generate optimal hip to shoulder separation.
The similarities of the 2X throwing motion and the 3X pitching motion is everything after this force production. Speed and power is still just as important to generating velocity, in both throwing motions. The more powerful athletes in the field will also be the harder throwers, if their mechanics are using their full power, like here in the 2X throwing approach.
I am currently developing the 2X Velocity Throwing Program for Position Players. Coming soon!
Hey Brent:
great info. for position players.
I study numerous players and video clips of how to basically play catch, come in on ground and fly balls ball etc. and I have to just shake my head and wonder where do these funky movements come from, I see numerous players during just normal catch just kinda doodley, bunny like hop I call it, straight up in the air come straight down, fancy Dan doing nothing junk, Gotta gain some ground there. I play step and catch,step,step throw, then back step three back to square one, every body more or less just stands there catches the ball and throws from there, even during normal catch the idea is to move towards the ball catch it and throw iy back on the move.
There are some video clips out there supposedly to demonstrate how to come in on the ball and throw it to an infielder, these kids demonstrating come in field the ball and then do this funky straight up in the air and back down in almost the exact same spot where they pick up the ball, the idea here is to keep the forward momentum moving with the feet real close to the surface and most important to gain as much ground forward as possible which is where the velocity and strong throws come from, of course rotation, separation,being strong on the drive foot and getting the glove side lined up to the target is also most important.
, the bottom line to ball carry is drive foot plant to surface, rotation and fast strong forward movement, as in pitching execute the forward movement in such a way so as to allow the body do the brunt of the work instead of the arm. pitching, playing catch, throwing around the horn or throwing runners out from the outfield let the body do the brunt of the work. just remember to grab as many seams as possible without fishing around for the ball. just my thoughts from playing many innings in the outfield. The most difficult hit ball to contend with is the high line traveling directly over one's head, sometimes one can judge it right away and can tell whether to turn, drop step and go back or not, if so there is a three step process there, #1. naturally is to find the ball off of the bat, #2. find the fence going back, #3.turn back and find the ball and hope you have made the correct sighting distance of the fence so hopefully you will not fence crash, some times one will miss judge and take a step or maybe two in forward and then find that the ball was hit farther back than first thought, or maybe the ball was not going back as far as first thought and takes a step or two, back in either of these cases one needs to learn to freeze the movement, and very quickly check it out and hopefully make the right decision as to which way to go/recover. in the case of game play on defense before the ball is put into play every player is a potential fielder, when the ball is put into play each and every player has a place to go to either back up a play or to make the play. sometimes one's back up position will change, the very reason that every player must learn to size up their situation and think two plays ahead. whether on defense or offense "I play the what if and be ready game" players who learn to think this way will always be alert and ready for anything. I strive on not giving the opposing team absolutely nothing and to capitalize every possible way I can on them.
Nuff Said
Don Ervin