The Art & Science of Pitching

by House, Tom

• ISBN13: 9781585189601
• ISBN10: 158518960X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-28
• Publisher: Coaches Choice

Summary

Presents an update on objective medical, exercise, and coaching pitching research, and also provides current information on skills and drills for coaches, players, and parents. Each chapter describes in detail learning points and teaching applications of help improve the health and performance of pitchers from Little League to the Major Leagues. Produced in cooperation with the National Pitching Association.

Author Biography

Tom House, PhD is considered by many to be the ôfather of modern pitching mechanicsö. He is a cofounder of the National Pitching Association, and pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and the Seattle Mariners. Gary Heil, cofounder of the National Pitching Association and the Pitch It Forward Foundation, is an author, educator, lawyer, consultant, and coach, and presently serves as a member of the board of directors of Gymboree and FrontRange Solutions. Steve Johnson has been involved with the game of baseball on various levels for the past 35 years as a player, coach, and instructor, and currently serves as coach and advisory board member for the National Hitting Association.

Table of Contents

Dedication	3	(1)
Acknowledgments	4	(3)
Foreword	7	(2)
Introduction	9	(4)
SECTION I. PITCHING BIOMECHANICS	13	(44)
Biomechanical Imperative #1: Balance and Posture	20	(2)
Biomechanical Imperative #2: Stride and Momentum	22	(4)
Biomechanical Imperative #3: Opposite and Equal Arms	26	(3)
Biomechanical Imperative #4: Hip/Shoulder Separation and Delayed Shoulder Rotation	29	(3)
Biomechanical Imperative #5: Stack and Track	32	(3)
Biomechanical Imperative #6: Swivel and Stabilize	35	(2)
Biomechanical Inevitable: Release Point and Follow-Through	37	(10)
Coaching Science Versus Myths, Misinformation, and Conventional Wisdom	47	(10)
SECTION II. BUILDING SKILLS WITH DRILLS	57	(42)
Flat Ground Work Skill Drills	60	(22)
Mound Work Skill Drills	82	(17)
SECTION III. PITCHING GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND TACTICS FOR COMPETITION	99	(14)
Goals	101	(1)
Strategies	102	(6)
Tactics	108	(5)
SECTION IV. FUNCTIONAL FITNESS, MENTAL/EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT, NUTRITION, AND ARM CARE FOR HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE	113	(62)
The 10 Commandments of Functional Fitness for Health and Performance	115	(34)
The 10 Commandments of Mental/Emotional Management for Health and Performance	149	(14)
The 10 Commandments of Nutrition for Health and Performance	163	(6)
The 10 Commandments of Arm Care and Recovery for Health and Performance	169	(6)
Post-Game Thoughts	175	(2)
Glossary of Selected Terms	177	(1)
About the Authors	178