Report to the Coaches: Softball Pitching at the 1996 Olympic Games

Injury Potential Summary

As the stride foot comes in contact with the ground, the position of the throwing arm is critical. The arm should be close to the body (in the plane) and should be near the top of the backswing. If the arm is out of the windmill plane or too far into the downswing, shoulder force will increase. The angle at the knee joint is also important as the stride foot touches down. The knee should be bent approximately 30 degrees short of full extension. A pitcher with a stride knee that is bent more than about 35-40 degrees will put additional stress on the throwing shoulder. The length of the stride should be approximately 80 to 100 percent of body height in order to reduce shoulder distraction. It appears that a longer stride actually reduces the stress at the shoulder. The stride foot should also be placed straight ahead of the pivot foot and should not be too far right or left of the power line toward home plate.

At ball release, the position of the throwing arm is again important for reducing stress on the throwing arm. The elbow should be bent (approximately 20 degrees short of full extension). The straighter the elbow, the more force on the shoulder joint. Finally, and possibly the most important factor in reducing shoulder distraction force, the hips should be closed at about a 45 degree angle (half way between completely open and completely closed) at the instant of ball release. Pitchers who tend to keep the hips open at ball release put a tremendous amount of stress on the throwing shoulder.

The following pages contain actual data regarding shoulder distraction force and the seven parameters mentioned above for the 24 pitchers included in the study. These pitchers represented the following countries: Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Netherlands, Puerto Rico and United States. Average values, as well as individual values, are given for each parameter.

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