Eric Koch

Been thinking about an easy way to teach pelvic/torso dissociation in the warm-up. Dissociation trunk twists ⬇️ ✅Wind the back leg ✅Unwind segmentally, starting from the pelvis ✅Feel every slot (submarine to overhand) ✅Allow the arms to relax & slot in plane

Only focusing on command can lead to inefficient mechanics incapable of throwing hard. This is actually the norm when a pitcher is overly coached into throwing strikes from a young age. You generally will see flying open, pushy, linear, dart-throwing patterns. This is the Bernstein principle (the body will organize itself to accomplish the goal) that Paul Nyman popularized as it relates to pitching 20+ years ago. Overly focusing on movement carries a risk of cheating to shapes - i.e getting excessively rotational to chase sink or sweep. Only focusing on velo carries the risk of airmailing balls into the backstop when the season comes around if it isn't blended properly into command phases and lives. There's risk on all sides. For my money, the order of priority for pitching development tends to be: 1. Develop *efficient* velo Strength plus mass plus mechanical efficiency to raise the velocity floor (while reducing relative injury risk), not just leaning into "intent," as this needs to be done in moderation. The body learns to produce more force and organize itself to deliver an efficient and high-velocity pitch off the slope. 2. Develop command Next is learning to rotate violently with proper timing and direction while being competitively in zone. Players who screw up this order generally put a cap on their velocity ceiling as the body learns to organize itself around delivering soft strikes. Think of a classic example like Kyle Hendricks' mechanics - these are not the mechanics that elicit 95+ mph in most athletes (earlier rotation, more linear upper half, etc.) - they are mechanics optimized around elite command. This is not to say he isn't a great outlier example, but the chance of making it as an 88 mph command specialist is slim and probably not what most would choose if playing the odds. 3. Develop pitch shapes With velo and command (even if you have average shapes), you'll be competitive at your current level, and you'll be in the running for opportunities at the next level. Pitch design is more straightforward, as it's just a matter of adjusting grips and cues with immediate ball flight feedback over a couple of offseasons. MLB orgs know this - they draft velo, command, angles, etc., while they know they can teach a sweeper or tighten a gyro slider in an offseason with a couple of tweaks. Disclaimer: this is not to say that you can't or shouldn't work on all 3 throughout each year, but most won't make it very far if velocity is their last priority.