A Special Episode for Coaches:Part One

"Fall Ball Reboot: Using Science to Update Your Fall Baseball Program"
In this episode, Angel suggests some"out-with-the-old and in-with-the-new" ideas to help bring your Fall Ball Program up to speed with some simple renovations.

• Running
• Long Distance Throwing Issues
• Exotic" Programs and Recovery
• Pitching Day No-No's
• Strength & Conditioning Issues

What to Look for in Pitchers After Injury Plus a Follow-through Tip that Adds Velocity

• Wheeler, Kershaw, and Strasburg
• How to prevent re-injury.The rear leg and follow-through

After pitchers return from injury, what can be done to prevent the same ailment from reoccurring? With Zack Wheeler, Clayton Kershaw, and Stephen Strasburg as examples, Angel explains the process of finding the root cause of an injury and making adjustments to prevent re-injury -- and why it's not fair to put the full onus of that task on a pitching coach. Plus, Angel talks about a follow-through habit that is good for pre-teens but robs velocity as pitchers mature -- and an easy tip on how to get those MPH back.

This week:

• The stride: how it starts.
• Biceps soreness and tendinitis
• High School pitch count restrictions: some help for coaches
• Why the placement of the thumb is so important for the pitch-grip

How exactly does the pitcher's stride begin? Which leg is more important? How does that initial movement affect the rest of a pitcher's delivery? Baseball pitching motion troubleshooter Angel Borrelli explains the pitcher's downhill movement, dispelling myths and inaccuracies that have been shared around the internet.

Also, using Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler as an example, Angel talks about bicep soreness and biceps tendinitis, including the risks and possible injuries involved. You may be surprised to learn that a sore bicep is just as concerning as soreness in the forearm, elbow, or shoulder - listen for the reason.

Are you a coach struggling with the new pitch count and recovery restrictions? Then this is the episode for you. Angel and Joe go into detail on why the recovery rules are important, and how you can use them to your advantage.

Finally, in the "Getting It Done" segment, Angel shares a tip involving the thumb's role in a pitch grip, including how and why placement of the thumb on the baseball can affect ball movement on various pitches.

Using Matt Harvey’s most recent scapula injury, the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle as they apply to pitching is explained.

The arm angles of pitching: the problem with the ball-too-close-to-the-ear…a current trend in velocity-production programs.

Matt Harvey has been plagued with so many injuries. In this episode I talk about his most recent stress fracture of the shoulder blade and the role the shoulder girdle plays in pitching.

The arm angles in pitching need to be precise in order to avoid injury and pitch optimally. Unfortunately, with no malice intended, the latest trend is a “ball-close-to-the ear” style which encourages leading with the elbow, both of which are problematic and inefficient and incorrect movements. Arm mechanics and these two issues are discussed in this episode.

This week’s topics include:

• “hooking”: a mechanical flaw of the wrist. What it is, how to troubleshoot it, and suggestions for how to make the adjustment are discussed.
• “neuritis” of the elbow (ulnar nerve inflammation) is also discussed with some recommendations for how to avoid the problem.
• Why some pitchers seem to constantly be injured. Listen to Angel’s opinion on why this isn’t bad luck, genes, or fragility. Her take on the problem offers a timeless solution.

What the MLB can do to fill the missing piece in preventing and managing injuries.

How to make important decisions about summer ball: to play or not to play?

Troubleshooting the pitching motion: unwanted head/neck tilt toward the pitching arm

So many injuries, and unusual ones, continue to plague the MLB. Angel makes an interesting point about what the MLB is not yet doing for management and prevention. And for all pitchers who finishing up their Spring Season and are wondering how to proceed, Angel gives some guidelines for making decisions for not just now, but the rest of the year. And in keeping with teaching coaches about mechanics, Angel talks about the problems with a head tilt in the direction of the pitching arm.