Off-Season: are you using it wisely?

Off-season is a valuable time in the yearly cycle of he pitcher yet still, there are many confusions around when it starts, when it ends, and how to use is productively.Coach Steve Harrow ismy guest and we did deep into the topics of off-season, pre-season, and reentry into the throwing season.

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Leading with the Elbow: The Why/The How/The Result

And don’t forget:to see what you’re hearing go to my You Tube channel Angel Borrelli Pitching.

Our special off-season series kicks-off with special guests Coach Larry Owens of Bellarmine University and Pitcher Joe DeMers with the Oakland A’s Minor League system.

The three of us talk about Leading with the Elbow, an arm mechanics issue that is one of the most common reasons for a loss in velocity and/or location. 

Hear about it/understand it/know how to see it.

Go to Angel Borrelli Pitching You Tube Channel to see the photos for this topic.

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Pitching Motion: some common flaws explained

In the MLB segment of this podcast, I answer the question that I have been most frequently asked during October baseball: “what is it about the motion of Verlander and Cole that makes them so good?”.

In the Teaching Moment, I connect the dots between some of the most common flaws in the pitching motion and a realization I had regarding why these flaws are so prevalent…especially among youth pitchers.The understanding of this connection can make teaching the proper adjustment much easier for coaches.

And in the Pearl segment, I discuss the importance of consistency with the delivery and site an observation during the play-offs.

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The Four Fundamentals of the Pitching Motion

In the MLB segment, Joe asks a listener’s question about the relationship of overuse as a youth pitcher and the probability of an adult injury.

In the Teaching Moment, I break the pitching motion down into four fundamental skills and give you some tips on how to view your pitcher ‘s delivery in a simple way.

In the Pearls segment, the topic of returning to pitching after time off is discussed.

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Excessive Lateral Trunk Tilt - Risk, Identification, and Correction

To kick off the show in MLB News and Trends, Angel and Joe discuss Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, whose command has been "unKimbrel-like" this season and who recently went on the injured list with an elbow inflammation. Angel explains the connection between an elbow injury and command issues, and what next steps should be for the injured pitcher.

In the Teaching Moment, Angel explains the danger of excessive lateral trunk tilt -- what it is, the risks, how to identify it, what to do about it.

Finally, in the "Pearls," Angel offers exercises to do in the gym that help prevent shoulder injuries.

Triceps Exercises To Help Prevent Shoulder Injuries

1. Decline Skull Crushers (On Decline Bench, with E-Z Curl Bar)
2. Overhead Dumbbell Extension (in Angel's Elbow book and First Pitch Strike Program)
3. Rope Pushdown (with cable)
4. Reverse-grip W-bar Pushdown
5. Reverse-grip single-arm pushdown (straight handle)

If you have any questions about these exercises email Angel at [email protected]

Matt Harvey:The Comeback

In the MLB segment, Joe and I couldn’t help but discuss Matt Harvey, one of our faves. I used Matt’s story to help coaches and teams understand the initial phases of investigation when faced with helping a great pitcher make a successful comeback after experiencing injury after injury. It’s not over until it’s over…and it’s never too late: two philosophies that are ever so important in the career of any pitcher, especially this one.

In the Teaching Moment, I discuss and educate on how the stride-foot contact phase of the pitching motion is defined for purposes of video analysis. With this phase having so many critical features, it is important that you know what to look for and how to see its components.

And in the Pearls segment, I discuss showcases and how to plan ahead and fit them into the fall and winter seasons.