Arm Whip: one of the keys to speed is arm whip. The four sequences show the general pattern of the arm required to get whip. The arm should be bent, an angle of 135 degrees or so is good. The longer this angle can be held through the transition from 12 to 9 o’clock the better. Note that the hand is behind and underneath the ball. Many years ago we taught the ball should face to the side or third base for a right handed pitcher. Behind is best; to the side is ok. Anything beyond the side is a problem. As the elbow passes 9 o’clock typically the hand does shift to the side for a few 100’s of a second and then reloads directly behind the ball as the ball straightens into release. It is critical to understand that the PATTERN above does not cause WHIP; but it allows whip to happen.
stopping the front side is the start to whip
At toe touch as shown at left is the beginning of the stopping/ acceleration sequence conceptually discussed in the car crash post. The above pattern is critical because it allows the arm to flow and sequence it motions in a natural bio mechanically sound and unraveling of the joints like you see in the bull whip video.
( Ideally the upper arm at toe touch should be NO further along than this picture of an old man. The upper arm angle in the first kneeling pick is pretty close to ideal.) Next time I’ll try to post a video of some simple arm pattern drills.