Examples - Hips Rotating Before Shoulders

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Hips Rotating Before Shoulders

10/18/2007

I believe that if pitchers want to maximize their velocity, then it is absolutely critical that their hips rotate well before their shoulders (aka hip/shoulder separation). This stretches the muscles of the upper legs, hips, and lower torso (aka the "core") which enables them to powerfully pull the shoulders around. If I have a pitcher with a velocity problem, the first thing I look for is whether his hips and shoulders are rotating at the same time or whether his hips are rotating before his shoulders.
Below are some examples of what getting the hips rotating before the shoulders looks like.
When looking at these pictures, keep in mind that perhaps the best example of what hip/shoulder separation looks like, and why it's important, are Casey Fossum and Tim Lincecum.

Casey Fossum

Tim Lincecum

Both Casey Fossum and Tim Lincecum are total string beans who are still able to throw the ball extremely hard because they throw with the large muscles of their body (and in particular their core) rather than the much smaller muscles of their arm and shoulder. In other words, they throw the ball with their entire body, not just their arms.
Below are some more examples of what getting the hips rotating before the shoulders, and good hip/shoulder separation, looks like.