Garrett Acker

Not to keep using Stroman as a mechanical example, but I can’t help myself. This angle is a great view to see how to initiate a weight shift down the mound - REGARDLESS of the style of the leg lift (standard, slide step, or “The Kershaw” lift-pause-go).

Notice how, on the first throw, even after the balance point / fake first move, he then drifts forward with his center of mass before getting into his lower half drive.

Okay so I mostly wanted an excuse to re-post this cool clip of Oliver Drake. What I see: 1) He stays into his back hip really well - no rising onto the toe early, which helps him drive the knee down vs. over extending it. 2) He creates great separation and holds the torso back.

Here's an easy way to quantify early hip rotation - counting video frames between the back heel beginning to lift and ball release. Elite throwers fall in the 8-10 frame range.

Teaching is not about how much jargon you use (or how smart you sound), it's about how well you can communicate your message to an audience.