Throwing training device
Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.
When a baseball or softball player throws a ball at full force, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on both the elbow and shoulder joints. For example, a 85 mile per hour pitch typically generates over 350 pounds per square inch (p.s.i.) of pressure on the shoulder area. Many amateur and professional pitchers throw a ball in a manner that creates unnecessary strain on the shoulder and elbow joints by leading with the elbow and snapping the arm through the throwing motion. Injuries commonly occur when users fly out their front side (shoulder and elbow). This action forces the throwing elbow to drop and be subject to the greatest risk of injury.
The pinching of the scapula while throwing is called “Scapular Loading.” This action is dangerous for ball players, particularly youth who continue to grow. Scapular loading occurs when a person clamps their shoulder blades together at the separation point and over-extends their rotator cuff, causing damage to the throwing elbow. Due to the lack of stability in the shoulder area, the strain will trickle down and most likely build up in the elbow/forearm area, possibly leading to need for UCL surgery, also known as “Tommy John Surgery.” A number of professional and amateur pitchers who throw using the technique of scapular loading have required Tommy John Surgery. With the throwing injury statistics increasing year after year, young ball players from the age range of 16 to 22 are requiring this surgery at a surprisingly high rate.
It would be useful to develop a tool that will reduce the frequency of, or prevent, throwing and pitching injuries and as a result, reduce the need for shoulder and elbow surgeries due to incorrect throwing mechanics.
SUMMARYOne embodiment described herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw.
Another embodiment is a throwing trainer assembly comprising a throwing trainer including first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw, and a measuring device configured for use in measuring an appropriate connector length for the user.
A further embodiment is a method of practicing throwing, comprising fastening opposite ends of a connector to left and right forearms of a thrower, the connector having a length appropriate to press against the user's body at or near the collar bone if the thrower moves both arms behind the plane of their pectoral muscles during wind-up for an overhand throw.
As used herein, the term “throwing trainer” refers to a device used for practicing overhand throwing. The “length of the connector” refers to the distance between the locations on the connector that are mounted to first and second bands when the connector is pulled taut. The length of the connector determines the separation distance between the bands. The “plane of a user's pectoral muscles” refers to a plane extending vertically through the user's pectoral muscles at the vertical center of the muscles.
Referring to the drawings and first to
Referring to
Referring to
In the embodiment of
The perimeters of the bands 12, 14 are adjustable depending upon the size of the forearms of the user, and the bands 12, 14 are mounted to be snug against the user's forearm adjacent the elbow without restricting blood circulation, as shown in
In other embodiments (not shown), both ends of the connector 16 are removably mounted to the bands 12, 14. This construction provides for ease in manufacturing and packaging devices of different sizes, as bands having the same length can be packaged with connectors or different lengths.
In one embodiment, the bands are removably fastened around the forearms of the user using fastening tape such as Velcro. In another embodiment (not shown) the bands are removably fastened at one or both terminal ends to the bands 12, 14 by double D type fasteners, or other mechanical fasteners. In all embodiments, the fasteners typically are made from strong plastic, rubber or metal.
If the connector has a flat, belt-type configuration, it typically is made of polyester, nylon, canvas or any other synthetic, natural or composite textile that is durable enough to endure repetitive use for all types of users and strength levels. In embodiments in which the connector 16 has a flat, belt-type shape, it has a length of about 20 to about 36 inches, or about 24 to about 32 inches, and a width of about ¼ to about 1 inches, or about ¼ to about ¾ inches. The thickness of the belt-shaped connector 16 typically is about 1/16 to about 3/16 inches. If the connector is a cord, it typically has a circular cross section with a diameter of about ⅛ to about ½ inches, or about ¼ to about ½ inches, and a length of about 20 to about 36 inches, or about 24 to about 32 inches. While the connector usually is generally inelastic, a somewhat elastic connector also can be employed.
The bands 12, 14 each typically have a width of about 1 to about 4 inches, or about 2 to about 3 inches, and a length of about 16 to about 24 inches so that the bands can be fastened around the forearms of the user with about 4-8 inches, or about 4-7 inches of overlap if fastening tape is used. Non-limiting examples of materials useful in making the bands include textiles such as polyester, nylon, canvas or any other synthetic, natural or composite textile that is durable enough to endure repetitive use.
To use the throwing training device, the bands are mounted on the left and right forearms of the user by each elbow with a size adjustable connector linking the bands, as shown in
When beginning the throw, the connector will start in a slack position when the hands are together in the glove. Upon separation of the hands, the elbows will separate while staying in front of the user's chest arriving at the wind-up or “Throwing/ Power Position”. During the separation of the elbows, when done correctly, the connector will become tight between the elbows without catching the user's abdomen, rib cage or collar bone area. If the connector catches on the abdomen, rib cage or collar bone area, that result indicates that the user is separating improperly from the breaking of the hands. At that point, the user will be able to stop the throw and reset into a proper separation before any torque is applied to the body/arm area. It is ill-advised to stop a throw after the torque has occurred because this will cause injury to the arm area.
When the user's arms are properly positioned for the throw, the glove hand is positioned the same height, but about 105-115 degrees, or about 110 degrees, from the shoulder with the palm facing the target as well. The throwing arm is positioned with the ball facing backward (hand above the head with the elbows spread to the width of the size adjustable chord) and the throwing elbow inside the throwing shoulder. The length of connector is configured to match the distance between the two inner parts of the elbow bend area where the connector is attached to the bands. When the throw is mechanically correct, the connector does not contact the thrower around the collar bone area.
Assuming that the length of the connector has been correctly set, once the separation is at the most “allowed” position by the throwing training aid, i.e. when the connector is taut, a throw by the user from this position will not result in “Scapular Loading.” Instead, the connector will promote proper separation and arm path for the wind-up and the resulting throw will not be unsafe for the user.
For all embodiments of the throwing training device, from the “set position” or wind-up position for the user, the user or coach will be able to map correct arm paths, and as a result the user will gain muscle memory. When throwing properly, the user's lead shoulder is pointed to the target with their elbows slightly in front (closed) of their shoulders. Once the rotation of the core area of the body occurs and the throw begins, there will be slack in the line. The user's front arm/shoulder does not pull backward, and therefore they will have full range of motion to throw. However, if the line is tight throughout the delivery, or if the connector catches the user's rib cage upon setting up to throw as indicated above, the user receives instant feedback that the throwing mechanics are incorrect.
If the user is throwing properly, he/she will not be inclined to stop a throw in the middle of the throw. The user's awareness of incorrect throwing form will cause them to feel the discomfort mid-throw when incorrect throwing mechanics are being used. As a result, the user will be able to erase bad muscle memory, or prevent incorrect muscle memory from developing in the first place.
The training device reduces strain on the user's shoulder and elbow region by comfortably enforcing body leverage and positive muscle memory through guided repetition. The device also helps increase velocity and minimizes the user's effort to throw at maximum speed. Proper use of this tool eliminates “Scapular Loading” and prevents related injuries that otherwise can result from incorrect pitching form.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or application. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Claims
1. A throwing trainer comprising:
- first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and
- an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw.
2. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second bands has a fastener configured for adjustably mounting the band on a forearm.
3. The throwing trainer of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises at least one of a strap and a cord.
4. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector is fixed to the first band and is removably mounted to second band.
5. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted to at least one of the first and second bands with a buckle-type fastener.
6. The throwing trainer of claim 5, wherein the buckle-type fastener comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a pronged buckle, a buckle slide, a side release buckle and a double D fastener.
7. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector is substantially inelastic.
8. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector is elastic.
9. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted to the first band with fastening tape and is mounted to the second band with a buckle-type fastener.
10. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the length of the connector is adjusted by tying a knot in the connector.
11. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the connector has measurement indicia displayed thereon.
12. The throwing trainer of claim 1, wherein the length of the connector is adjusted such that the connector will press against the front of the user's body proximate or on the collar bone if the thrower's forearms are spaced too far apart during wind-up.
13. A throwing trainer assembly, comprising
- a throwing trainer including first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw, and
- a measuring device configured for use in measuring an appropriate connector length for the user.
14. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the bands are configured for mounting around the user's forearms with fastening tape.
15. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the connector is mounted to at least one of the first and second bands with a buckle-type fastener.
16. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the connector is substantially inelastic.
17. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the connector has measurement indicia displayed thereon.
18. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the measurement device comprises a measuring tape with a thumb-receiving portion at a terminal end thereof.
19. The throwing trainer of claim 13, wherein the length of the connector is adjusted such that the connector will press against the front of the user's body proximate or on the collar bone if the thrower's forearms are spaced too far apart during wind-up.
20. A method of practicing throwing, comprising fastening opposite ends of a connector to left and right forearms of a thrower, the connector having a length appropriate to press against the thrower's body at or near the collar bone if the thrower moves both arms behind the plane of their pectoral muscles during wind-up for an overhand throw.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the connector is mounted to bands that are removably fastened the thrower's right and left forearms.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the connector has an adjustable length, further comprising adjusting the length of the connector between the first and second bands before throwing.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising determining the appropriate length for the connector using a measuring device.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising throwing the ball while the connector is fastened to the left and right forearms.
25. A method of developing muscle memory for correct overhand throwing comprising obtaining and using the throwing trainer of claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2012
Inventor: John Skinner (Wethersfield, CT)
Application Number: 13/134,302
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);