The windmill pitching motion in fastpitch softball puts considerable strain on the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, elbow, forearm and wrist. But good conditioning, proper mechanics and sensible pitching workloads can help pitchers prevent repetitive stress injuries. Hurlers plagued by arm soreness should assess all three of these factors and make necessary changes.
Importance of Follow-Through
Most pitch types allow the pitcher to finish their delivery with full follow-through. But some inexperienced pitchers develop the habit of stopping their arm after releasing the ball. "Continued snapping without a natural follow-through can lead to elbow and forearm injuries," pitcher coach Gerald Warner noted on the Pitch Softball website. "A good follow-through on most pitches will allow the arm to relax and bend immediately after the release, then follow up naturally to at least waist high."
The Hip Brush Technique
Some pitching instructors stress the hip brush as a mechanism to ensure the proper release point. A windmill pitching tutorial on the United States Fastpitch Association website notes that the hip brush accomplishes two things: It "cues the arm to release the ball" and "snaps the wrist and elbow into the pitch."
Excessive Hip Brush
Pitchers who hit their hip and thigh with their pitching hand -- rather than merely brush it -- interrupt their pitching motion and fail to maximize their follow-through. As a result, they can put potentially hazardous strain on their arm. Pitchers with improper conditioning or mechanics are vulnerable to a variety of injuries, including ulna fatigue fractures.
Preventing Arm Injuries
Pitchers must develop a thorough stretching and warmup routine and repeat it before each practice and game. They must address their whole body, from their legs and core muscles to the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Building pitching-specific strength through resistance training can help pitchers stay healthy. "The tendons, ligaments and joint structures in the shoulders, arms and wrists are important to prevent injury," pitching coach and former Team USA pitcher Cheri Kempf wrote on the Softball Performance website.
References
- Northwest Texas Sports Medicine Clinic; Biomechanics of Pitching in Fast-Pitch Softball, Tommie DeBerry, March 2002
- American Journal of Sports Medicine; Biomechanics of Youth Windmill Softball Pitching, Dr. Sherry L. Werner, February 2005
- Softball Performance; Softball Pitching - The Physical Nature of Pitching; Cheri Kempf
- American Journal of Sports Medicine; Kinematics and Kinetics of Elite Windmill Softball Pitching, Dr. Sherry L. Werner, November 2005
- Pitch Softball; Avoid Pitching Injuries -- What Not to Do; Gerald Warner
- United States Fastpitch Association: Developing the Windmill Pitcher
Member Comments