I was just about to throw in the towel on trying to be my son’s pitching coach. I am athletic and I can pay attention to smart people and smart instructions, however I have never gone deep on pitching mechanics and I had minimal confidence on being a good dad coach. This video revived my hopes and I can’t believe this information is free. Thank you Dan. I hope to meet you some day. I’m ordering your book, Pitching isn’t Complicated.
this dudes the real deal. one of the most real and to the point coaches i’ve seen on youtube. late arm actions been my biggest struggle pitching and this was insanely helpful
One thing to note that I left out - I'm exaggerating how much bend is in the elbow while it moves, and when you practice your arm action, your arm will probably have a lot more length and less bend and come close to locking out but nottttt quite - all of that is acceptable - dont think you have to look exactly how I showed it. Remember, having some length to your arm action is okay as long as you get to proper timing at foot strike. But, we don't want a locked out arm.
That batting path was a pain in the ass for me to get (9/10) The mechanics to the swing where easy (4/10 hardness) The fielding just came pretty easy (4/10) besides not jerking away sometimes (3/10) The throwing mechanics are pretty easy and simple too (6/10) But the arm path is super hard too (9/10) a 10/10 is doing all of those perfect everytime
When you say at the end, "We don't want a locked out arm", do you mean before foot strike? So don't carry a locked out arm into foot strike? Instead give a bit of length and let it come to 90° or locked position on its own?
This really helped me understand what I was doing wrong. I was picked to be our relief pitcher after playing in the outfield for so long. Thanks for saving my arm!
This is a great video. I have been having trouble with constant arm pain to where I can barely throw at full potential. I think the topics that were mentioned might help me fix this issue. Thank you very much for the input
Really good video. Not many coaches putting things like arm action in understandable terms. Helped me a lot with questions I had about short arm path in the pitching motion. Keep up the great content!
Awsome breakdown of the arm mechanics. I coach a town and a travel team and this will help me help my players make the most of what they have. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome video Dan. Another video that would be great is proper shoulder rotation and arm action thru the follow-thru. Another thing some of my kids struggle with is lack of shoulder rotation, short arming and lack of pronation on the follow-thru.
I always pitched with a huge circle, I didn’t know if it was right or not so I tried fixing it but now I can’t get it in the zone. I filmed myself and compared my body movements to what you said and I’m feeling pretty confident that I’ll be able to fix this very soon!
I’m currently doing the same thing, my arm literally doesn’t hit my elbow and it’s all shoulder. Through all of my years of baseball it’s never hurt but I am wondering whether I should change it
Korean title suggestion : 투구시 팔 동작의 모든 것 (feat. 다양한 팁, 연습법 + 온갖 잘못 알려진 방법들) I little bit adjusted as I translate like "Everything about pitching arm action (feat. Various tips, drills + whole bunch of myths)" Cause I am not able to check the original English title, I picked the title out of the thumbnail of this video.
Referencing the part where you said your hand should be at about 10 o'clock. What do you think about someone going from hand break to 12 o'clock position at trunk acceleration? Watching video the layback is still good. Just wondering if you think it would make a difference? Thanks for your time!
Well done. Love the timing aspect, defining arm differentiation. I’m stealing this to explain to parents why although, not every arm path is a snowflake, it is okay to have proper differentiation. Thank you.
For players that are struggling with opening up too early, do you think it would be a good idea to teach: Pinch just the throwing elbow back, not both elbows? So basically use the pinching of the throwing arm as a queue to stay closed?
@@DanBlewett Would you mind clarifying? At 2:04 for example, it sounds like you said "I want my shoulder blades pinched all the way back". Did you actually say blade and not blades?
Great video. I actually have been pitching on my own as a hobby during quarantine. I’ve learned a lot from your videos. Especially your slider and cutter videos. Thanks for sharing your insight. One question, What about reaching down toward the ground with your throwing hand (after glove separation) or leaning back to generate more power? Is this ok to do, does it actually work, or is it incorrect?
your hip should be leading the body down the mound, which will create upward shoulder tilt, but I wouldnt suggest intentionally leaning back. Reaching down to the ground sounds like you mean reaching really far down, and I wouldn't suggest that either, but remember - its all about getting to landing position "on time" so nothing is ever set in stone.
Hey coach, thanks for making me feel like shit, lol... taking my kids to extend their arms, to create that whip action, but you just explained why they don't.
hey, I'm a pitcher that 15 and started playing about 3 months ago. I really started to fall in love with the game and want to play for my high school team. I was wondering if you could look at my mechanics I can send the video through Instagram, email, or any other method if that is ok with you. Thank you.
I think a lot of Japanese pitcher form is so much painful. And a lot of players are actually injured. I noticed MLB pitcher have better form and mechanics than NPB. And thank you so much form Japan, Your video make me good pitcher.
When I pitch I have noticed that I get that 90 degree angle and have my shoulders pinched but my arm comes out flat and I’m only maybe 4 inches above from pitching side arm entirely is it something I should change?
It appears that your arm action has become the “in thing.” I prefer hiding the ball with the hand facing center field. As you know, there are a thousand ways to throw. I’ve never seen any video or demonstration where everybody agreed on every aspect of the pitching motion. It would be nice to see data that backs up the idea that you can increase velocity with the 10:00 position and scapular squeeze over a traditional 90 degree “hand facing center field” approach. My son plays with the Phillies and has been told that he would benefit from a shorter arm action.
90 degree and hand facing center field isn't even something that happens in real life for high level pitchers. It's taught but doesn't actually happen with 99% of MLB players. I'd look up some slow motion video if I was you. Almost no one points their hand to center when in the L position. You're living with a myth. Seeing is believing, except for those that deny what video reveals.
Hey I’m 13, 14 in April and I’m throwing 68-70 from 60,6 but this upcoming weekend will be my third time throwing from 60,6 and my bicep always seems to hurt I want to say it’s because I didn’t really throw like I should’ve for almost 2 years because of covid and I can’t go for longer than 2 innings without my arm starting to hurt is it just because I’m not used to pitching from 60,6 or what’s going on?
@@DanBlewett I heard Tom house say the ball needs to face second base and elbow up many years ago so thats what you did. I've taught this and you instantly see improvement and kids say they don't feel stress in their arms. I've recently heard this and just wanna know the reason for not having the ball face second base. I'm just curious thats all.
look at the way the arm moves. If you turn it toward center field, the hand has to turn back to be in proper position to be behind the ball at release. It makes no sense; never did. Look up MLB pitchers - nearly all of them are as I describe; almost none point to 2nd base.
“He will not have a TJ issue now” - you can predict the future? I have no problem with his change but you can’t attribute his success to it, nor can you predict his health in the future. There’s no evidence that THAT is the sole reason pitchers hurt their elbows. Also suffering from survivorship bias - Giolito is healthy and pitching well, but there are pitchers who have made the same change and blown their elbows out...I know people in the industry and not everyone with his arm action has found success or arm health.
@@DanBlewett I have been trying to teach kids from 4 to 44 for 40 years. I have had some luck with scores getting scholarships, a few getting drafted and one getting to the majors. My fee has been the same: five smiles per session per ‘kid’ and another 10 from a parent. I do know Donny Cooper; think he has some industrial experience. Giolito is not, I think, headed for TJ...I didn’t preclude other issues, but I do think he is going to have a nice career. Sorry you seem offended...I do like what you are teaching as many of the old ways do need to stop!!!
Not offended at all. Just pointing out the absolute words you chose, that’s all. Lots of people make statements of absolute nature in pitching and I try to dispel them. There are no absolutes; and we still know very little about the longterm implications of making drastic changes to a pitcher’s nature arm action. We don’t know the side effects yet. Thanks for watching!
@@DanBlewett Yes, absolutes are dangerous. Just trying to get your attention perhaps. I do know his mom and dad and his brother but not him. Just to push the issue a little more, why do we both discourage pointing the ball at the CF?
I’m a fan of shortening arm actions to a point. But no person has ever thrown the way he throws - it’s looks unnatural and somewhat biazarre. And it begs the question, if human have been throwing balls for 100 years, why have almost zero pitchers thrown the way he throws from a mound? Ignoring catchers and infielders who don’t pitch off a mound, it’s a question with no good answer. It’s so far to the other side of the continuum-an extreme-that it concerns me. Extremes in life are usually not the solution. It may work for him - but this is certainly not ready to be applied to the masses. It’s a tiny sample size of the extremes. In 5-10 years maybe we’ll see the result. Good or bad. But for now it’s pure speculation as to the longterm results.
I was just about to throw in the towel on trying to be my son’s pitching coach. I am athletic and I can pay attention to smart people and smart instructions, however I have never gone deep on pitching mechanics and I had minimal confidence on being a good dad coach. This video revived my hopes and I can’t believe this information is free. Thank you Dan. I hope to meet you some day. I’m ordering your book, Pitching isn’t Complicated.
this dudes the real deal. one of the most real and to the point coaches i’ve seen on youtube. late arm actions been my biggest struggle pitching and this was insanely helpful
Thanks! Appreciate the kind words. Glad its helped.
agreed!!!
One thing to note that I left out - I'm exaggerating how much bend is in the elbow while it moves, and when you practice your arm action, your arm will probably have a lot more length and less bend and come close to locking out but nottttt quite - all of that is acceptable - dont think you have to look exactly how I showed it. Remember, having some length to your arm action is okay as long as you get to proper timing at foot strike. But, we don't want a locked out arm.
That batting path was a pain in the ass for me to get (9/10)
The mechanics to the swing where easy (4/10 hardness)
The fielding just came pretty easy (4/10)
besides not jerking away sometimes (3/10)
The throwing mechanics are pretty easy and simple too (6/10)
But the arm path is super hard too (9/10)
a 10/10 is doing all of those perfect everytime
When you say at the end, "We don't want a locked out arm", do you mean before foot strike? So don't carry a locked out arm into foot strike? Instead give a bit of length and let it come to 90° or locked position on its own?
This really helped me understand what I was doing wrong. I was picked to be our relief pitcher after playing in the outfield for so long. Thanks for saving my arm!
Glad it helped you out, that's what I'm here for!
This is a great video. I have been having trouble with constant arm pain to where I can barely throw at full potential. I think the topics that were mentioned might help me fix this issue. Thank you very much for the input
I really like this video too.
This is some seriously good information. This dude knows hit stuff. I wish I had this information when I was beginning to suffer from my slap tear.
Really good video. Not many coaches putting things like arm action in understandable terms. Helped me a lot with questions I had about short arm path in the pitching motion. Keep up the great content!
glad it helped - I figured this was a topic that was ripe for a clear explanation.
@@DanBlewett Definitely, it's a topic that needed simplification. Your explananation helped me for sure!
I've been looking for a video like this for so long! Thank you! We forget to revisit the fundamentals sometimes.
thanks for watching!
Awsome breakdown of the arm mechanics. I coach a town and a travel team and this will help me help my players make the most of what they have. Thank you for sharing.
Glad it was helpful - I have a full breakdown of mechanics, start to finish, releasing in 2 days. Stay tuned.
Awesome video Dan. Another video that would be great is proper shoulder rotation and arm action thru the follow-thru. Another thing some of my kids struggle with is lack of shoulder rotation, short arming and lack of pronation on the follow-thru.
Amazing video! I'm 13 and I just started pitching and watching your videos has helped me improve a huge amount. Keep posting these great videos!
Great to hear!
I always pitched with a huge circle, I didn’t know if it was right or not so I tried fixing it but now I can’t get it in the zone. I filmed myself and compared my body movements to what you said and I’m feeling pretty confident that I’ll be able to fix this very soon!
I’m currently doing the same thing, my arm literally doesn’t hit my elbow and it’s all shoulder. Through all of my years of baseball it’s never hurt but I am wondering whether I should change it
@@PickLivin Hey if it works, keep doing it! As long as it’s not hurting and you have control then why “fix” it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
i have had a arm spiral issue with getting my elbow in line with my shoulder for weeks. towel drill just fixed it in 5 minutes.
Always a great discussion! Thanks for the video!
Thank you for your advice!! I see my problem
Thanks, Dan. Your explanation is super clear and helpful
Excellent explanation with allowance for individual athletes. This video makes a difference.
Glad you think so!
The hand straight back never made sense to me. I can feel stress that way. Great video
Is the water bottle drill a good drill for arm path/arm action?
Thanks so much, I appreciate your time for learning this, my arm action is bad but whit your video I can change that
You can do it!
I am a high school coach that needs some refresher and was a pitcher long ago in college
Muchas gracias por permitir los subtitulos en español...
thanks for allowing subtitles in spanish
No problem - I know they're not perfect (Google Translate) but hopefully it gives more people access to what I'm teaching. Thanks for watching!
Excellent content.
I needed this video! Well done and thank you coach!
Korean title suggestion : 투구시 팔 동작의 모든 것 (feat. 다양한 팁, 연습법 + 온갖 잘못 알려진 방법들)
I little bit adjusted as I translate like "Everything about pitching arm action (feat. Various tips, drills + whole bunch of myths)"
Cause I am not able to check the original English title, I picked the title out of the thumbnail of this video.
Ok, thank you! I updated both videos🙂
Referencing the part where you said your hand should be at about 10 o'clock. What do you think about someone going from hand break to 12 o'clock position at trunk acceleration? Watching video the layback is still good. Just wondering if you think it would make a difference?
Thanks for your time!
Have you subscribed to my channel yet? If not, you can do it right here: th-cam.com/users/dblewett20
Great video. Thanks for putting this content out there. Much appreciated.
Well done. Love the timing aspect, defining arm differentiation. I’m stealing this to explain to parents why although, not every arm path is a snowflake, it is okay to have proper differentiation. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
This is the video I've been looking for and I couldn't find anywhere else. Do you think it's too late to start pitching?
I have no idea how old you are or how athletic you are.
Great video. Thanks!
You bet!
For players that are struggling with opening up too early, do you think it would be a good idea to teach: Pinch just the throwing elbow back, not both elbows? So basically use the pinching of the throwing arm as a queue to stay closed?
you wouldnt pinch both shoulders
@@DanBlewett Would you mind clarifying? At 2:04 for example, it sounds like you said "I want my shoulder blades pinched all the way back". Did you actually say blade and not blades?
Hey dan I love the content, can you make a video talking about arm care?
arm care is boring
Thanks a Lot Coach🙏❤
👊🏻
Great video. I actually have been pitching on my own as a hobby during quarantine. I’ve learned a lot from your videos. Especially your slider and cutter videos. Thanks for sharing your insight.
One question, What about reaching down toward the ground with your throwing hand (after glove separation) or leaning back to generate more power? Is this ok to do, does it actually work, or is it incorrect?
your hip should be leading the body down the mound, which will create upward shoulder tilt, but I wouldnt suggest intentionally leaning back. Reaching down to the ground sounds like you mean reaching really far down, and I wouldn't suggest that either, but remember - its all about getting to landing position "on time" so nothing is ever set in stone.
@@DanBlewett thanks a lot for the reply, I’ll focus on landing position ‘timing’ and see how things go. 👍
Is front foot strike when the heel touches down or the full sole of the shoe?
No I’m really knows. I say heel
Hey coach, thanks for making me feel like shit, lol... taking my kids to extend their arms, to create that whip action, but you just explained why they don't.
@@rslwannabe9475 no... never, why
hey, I'm a pitcher that 15 and started playing about 3 months ago. I really started to fall in love with the game and want to play for my high school team. I was wondering if you could look at my mechanics I can send the video through Instagram, email, or any other method if that is ok with you. Thank you.
Sorry, but I don't review videos. good luck though!
I think a lot of Japanese pitcher form is so much painful. And a lot of players are actually injured.
I noticed MLB pitcher have better form and mechanics than NPB. And thank you so much form Japan, Your video make me good pitcher.
youre welcome
When I pitch I have noticed that I get that 90 degree angle and have my shoulders pinched but my arm comes out flat and I’m only maybe 4 inches above from pitching side arm entirely is it something I should change?
sorry I dont know what you're asking. A local pitching coach would be able to help you.
It appears that your arm action has become the “in thing.” I prefer hiding the ball with the hand facing center field. As you know, there are a thousand ways to throw. I’ve never seen any video or demonstration where everybody agreed on every aspect of the pitching motion. It would be nice to see data that backs up the idea that you can increase velocity with the 10:00 position and scapular squeeze over a traditional 90 degree “hand facing center field” approach. My son plays with the Phillies and has been told that he would benefit from a shorter arm action.
90 degree and hand facing center field isn't even something that happens in real life for high level pitchers. It's taught but doesn't actually happen with 99% of MLB players. I'd look up some slow motion video if I was you. Almost no one points their hand to center when in the L position. You're living with a myth. Seeing is believing, except for those that deny what video reveals.
Dan Blewett That’s the way my son throws. Here is a video of him at a Lantz Wheeler camp: m.th-cam.com/video/HQpsp2iSVPo/w-d-xo.html
Hey I’m 13, 14 in April and I’m throwing 68-70 from 60,6 but this upcoming weekend will be my third time throwing from 60,6 and my bicep always seems to hurt I want to say it’s because I didn’t really throw like I should’ve for almost 2 years because of covid and I can’t go for longer than 2 innings without my arm starting to hurt is it just because I’m not used to pitching from 60,6 or what’s going on?
I dont have a way of knowing, sorry
I’m 14 too can i can pitch around 70 and I have been having bicep pain for 3 years and idk why
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
Cooch como puedo ir a estados Unidos a practicar beisbol
47.1k views at 47.8k subs as of may 3rd 2023!!
Whats wrong with the ball facing second base?
why should it face second base?
@@DanBlewett I heard Tom house say the ball needs to face second base and elbow up many years ago so thats what you did. I've taught this and you instantly see improvement and kids say they don't feel stress in their arms. I've recently heard this and just wanna know the reason for not having the ball face second base. I'm just curious thats all.
look at the way the arm moves. If you turn it toward center field, the hand has to turn back to be in proper position to be behind the ball at release. It makes no sense; never did. Look up MLB pitchers - nearly all of them are as I describe; almost none point to 2nd base.
When Giolito shortened his ERA dropped a full point. He will not have a TJ issue now and he was prime for it before he changed.
“He will not have a TJ issue now” - you can predict the future? I have no problem with his change but you can’t attribute his success to it, nor can you predict his health in the future. There’s no evidence that THAT is the sole reason pitchers hurt their elbows. Also suffering from survivorship bias - Giolito is healthy and pitching well, but there are pitchers who have made the same change and blown their elbows out...I know people in the industry and not everyone with his arm action has found success or arm health.
@@DanBlewett I have been trying to teach kids from 4 to 44 for 40 years. I have had some luck with scores getting scholarships, a few getting drafted and one getting to the majors. My fee has been the same: five smiles per session per ‘kid’ and another 10 from a parent. I do know Donny Cooper; think he has some industrial experience. Giolito is not, I think, headed for TJ...I didn’t preclude other issues, but I do think he is going to have a nice career. Sorry you seem offended...I do like what you are teaching as many of the old ways do need to stop!!!
Not offended at all. Just pointing out the absolute words you chose, that’s all. Lots of people make statements of absolute nature in pitching and I try to dispel them. There are no absolutes; and we still know very little about the longterm implications of making drastic changes to a pitcher’s nature arm action. We don’t know the side effects yet. Thanks for watching!
@@DanBlewett Yes, absolutes are dangerous. Just trying to get your attention perhaps. I do know his mom and dad and his brother but not him. Just to push the issue a little more, why do we both discourage pointing the ball at the CF?
I’m a fan of shortening arm actions to a point. But no person has ever thrown the way he throws - it’s looks unnatural and somewhat biazarre. And it begs the question, if human have been throwing balls for 100 years, why have almost zero pitchers thrown the way he throws from a mound? Ignoring catchers and infielders who don’t pitch off a mound, it’s a question with no good answer. It’s so far to the other side of the continuum-an extreme-that it concerns me. Extremes in life are usually not the solution. It may work for him - but this is certainly not ready to be applied to the masses. It’s a tiny sample size of the extremes. In 5-10 years maybe we’ll see the result. Good or bad. But for now it’s pure speculation as to the longterm results.
4:32
9:40
Great to the point video (despite the length). Terrible last name for a pitcher though. Man you must have been roasted for that growing up. 😉
Thanks for the kind words
Do u give pitching lessons to 69 year old high school baseball coaches??
no