Jimbo Wood, MS, PT Friday, February 21, 14 Throwing Mechanics: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION Jimbo Wood, MS, PT Friday, February 21, 14

Throwing Mechanics: Improving Velocity & Decreasing Injury Risk Friday, February 21, 14

What are the 2 most commonly injured joints in little leaguers? Friday, February 21, 14

What are the 2 most commonly injured joints in little leaguers? 1. Elbow 2. Shoulder Friday, February 21, 14

What are the 2 most common causes of little league elbow/shoulder injuries? Friday, February 21, 14

What are the 2 most common causes of little league elbow/shoulder injuries? 1. Faulty mechanics 2. Overuse/Inadequate rest Friday, February 21, 14

What do coaches need to look for? 1. Proper throwing/pitching mechanics 2. Pitch counts 3. Proper warm-up/cool-down 4. Early (<13) specialization Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics -Identifying and correcting improper mechanics is integral for injury prevention/treatment -Slow-motion video is the only way to fully identify mechanical flaws. Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics Let’s look at a slow-motion example... Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics Eliminate “the inverted L” Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics Eliminate “the inverted W” Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics Eliminate “the inverted V” Friday, February 21, 14

Proper Throwing Mechanics PERFECT!! Friday, February 21, 14

TRUNK ROTATION - Early trunk and pelvic rotation creates excessive elbow and shoulder stress in pitchers. -Pitchers should keep their shoulders square to 1st (L handed) or 3rd (R handed) until front foot strike. - Late trunk/pelvic rotation increases velocity & WRONG!!! decreases arm stress. Friday, February 21, 14

Throwing Mechanics 101 Friday, February 21, 14

Throwing Mechanics 101 -Efficient throwing mechanics is predicated on a pitcher’s ability to perform a sequence of movements from the legs, pelvis, and trunk to the shoulder & arm segments. -appropriately timing the rotational movements of the pelvis and trunk after front foot loading greatly increases velocity and decreases arm stress. Friday, February 21, 14

OverUse Injuries -A recent ASMI study noted that “the forces that result from throwing a youth curveball aren’t great enough to cause the kind of injuries that younger pitchers are experiencing.” -The study concluded that rest and pitch counts are FAR MORE IMPORTANT for injury prevention than the types of pitches you allow your young pitcher to throw. Friday, February 21, 14

The Bottom Line - APTA’s stretching protocol before and after all pitching outings. - Ubersense App to identify mechanical flaws in your players. - avoid the inverted L’s, V’s, and W’s. -Proper pitch mechanics starts with the lower body, followed by the hips, pelvis, trunk, shoulder, elbow, wrist, & then the hand. -Pitch counts and rest days are of PRIME importance. -Year-round throwing is not ideal. Friday, February 21, 14

PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION Jimbo Wood, MS, PT jwood@horizonphysicaltherapy.com www.horizonphysicaltherapy.com (706) 548- 7300 Friday, February 21, 14