Comments on: Pitching: Dragging the Back Foot http://www.onbaseball.com/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/ Old School Baseball Lessons Articles Podcasts and Instructional Videos by Joe Janish Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:43:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: joejanish http://www.onbaseball.com/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/comment-page-1/#comment-3494 joejanish Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:40 +0000 http://www.onbaseball.com/2008/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/#comment-3494 gshort - I can definitely see the value in monitoring the foot drag -- as a coach -- and using it as an indicator of what may be going on with the pitcher's body. However I'm still not convinced it's a good idea to "teach" a foot drag or for a pitcher to be consciously dragging it. Isn't it something that should come naturally as a result of other correct actions? In other words, isn't a drag or non-drag more of symptom rather than a cause? gshort – I can definitely see the value in monitoring the foot drag — as a coach — and using it as an indicator of what may be going on with the pitcher’s body. However I’m still not convinced it’s a good idea to “teach” a foot drag or for a pitcher to be consciously dragging it. Isn’t it something that should come naturally as a result of other correct actions?

In other words, isn’t a drag or non-drag more of symptom rather than a cause?

]]> By: gshort http://www.onbaseball.com/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/comment-page-1/#comment-3362 gshort Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:16:45 +0000 http://www.onbaseball.com/2008/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/#comment-3362 Dragging the back foot enhances a pitcher's ability to delay shoulder rotation. By doing so, the pitcher will actually reduce the distance to home plate. Secondly the drag line is observed and utilized in the placement of the pitcher on the rubber. The dragline indicates the location of the spine at release. Optimally this line should end on the imaginary line leading from the middle of the pitching rubber to the middle of home plate. A lack of a drag indicates lack of proper use of the lead hip in the lift and thrust phase of the initial leg lift, in conjunction with minimal use of forward momentum. Dragging the back foot enhances a pitcher’s ability to delay shoulder rotation. By doing so, the pitcher will actually reduce the distance to home plate. Secondly the drag line is observed and utilized in the placement of the pitcher on the rubber. The dragline indicates the location of the spine at release. Optimally this line should end on the imaginary line leading from the middle of the pitching rubber to the middle of home plate. A lack of a drag indicates lack of proper use of the lead hip in the lift and thrust phase of the initial leg lift, in conjunction with minimal use of forward momentum.

]]> By: joe http://www.onbaseball.com/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/comment-page-1/#comment-3318 joe Fri, 09 May 2008 18:36:16 +0000 http://www.onbaseball.com/2008/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/#comment-3318 Hmmm .... will have to think about this one. I do agree that monitoring the foot drag as a means of identifying a problem is a good idea. However I see no biomechanical advantage of PURPOSELY and consciously dragging the back foot -- not for increasing velocity, anyway. Thanks though for the tip on watching the direction of a foot drag ... hopefully others will be able to use this as an indicator for adjusting mechanics. Hmmm …. will have to think about this one. I do agree that monitoring the foot drag as a means of identifying a problem is a good idea. However I see no biomechanical advantage of PURPOSELY and consciously dragging the back foot — not for increasing velocity, anyway.

Thanks though for the tip on watching the direction of a foot drag … hopefully others will be able to use this as an indicator for adjusting mechanics.

]]> By: Felax http://www.onbaseball.com/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/comment-page-1/#comment-3298 Felax Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:35:50 +0000 http://www.onbaseball.com/2008/pitching/pitching-dragging-the-back-foot/#comment-3298 I think you are mistaken when you say that there should never be a foot drag. Often times, pitching coaches can learn a lot from their pitchers and their delivery and follow through based on the length and shape/direction of the foot drag. A drag that loops too far out (to the throwing arm side) is an indicator of a pitcher that may be throwing across their body a bit. No drag at all is a clear indicator that the pitcher is not extending out far enough during the delivery and is likely understriding, resulting in being off balance after the delivery. I went to a college baseball clinic and one particular pitching coach actually would put sand, dirt, or any other substance that would work on his indoor mounds (portable plastic ones) so that he could see his pitchers foot drags and adjust their deliveries accordingly. I am far from an expert on the matter, but to say that a foot drag is simply for a change up seems to be way off base. I think you are mistaken when you say that there should never be a foot drag. Often times, pitching coaches can learn a lot from their pitchers and their delivery and follow through based on the length and shape/direction of the foot drag. A drag that loops too far out (to the throwing arm side) is an indicator of a pitcher that may be throwing across their body a bit. No drag at all is a clear indicator that the pitcher is not extending out far enough during the delivery and is likely understriding, resulting in being off balance after the delivery. I went to a college baseball clinic and one particular pitching coach actually would put sand, dirt, or any other substance that would work on his indoor mounds (portable plastic ones) so that he could see his pitchers foot drags and adjust their deliveries accordingly. I am far from an expert on the matter, but to say that a foot drag is simply for a change up seems to be way off base.

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