Karl Kuhn, UVA. I agree will this guy......I wouldn't take credit for this drill either.
According to Kuhn, the only purpose of this drill is to increase the appearance/perception of velocity.
So is this it or is there a better published explanation of the "towel drill."
FYI...........a I am no longer moderating this or any other forum, UNLESS I see a blatant attempt to render THSBBWEB useless. I've never seen this, but ya never know...
Posts: 467 | Location: MD | Registered: May 05, 2003
Just an opinion here in regards to the towel drill since it is our high school coaches favorite drill. If you are working on extension, why not skip the towell and throw a baseball? I see kids using towels and their arm circle w/towell is not the same as their arm circle without the towell. Also, I see kids doing them on the side on flat ground and landing repeatedly on their heal. Not good. There is such a thing as "overstriding" too. I've seen that one also done on towell drills.
I like extension but use a baseball.
Posts: 449 | Location: IL | Registered: December 14, 2005
The towel drill is about much more than extension. In fact that's usually the last issue a kid has. More likely, it benefits pitchers that do the following...
1. a pitcher that steps to a closed position and can't rotate his hips enough (if it's properly positioned) can't reach the towel.
2. a pitcher that strides off the 'center line' or straight line to the plate cannot reach the towel.
3. a pitcher who opens his front side too early can't reach the towel.
4. a pitcher that does not control his glove hand (to his pec area generally speaking), cannot reach the towel.
The towel drill can be used as an aid to teaching kids to work out of any of these bad habits.
1 The towel drill (I learned it as "the sock drill", with a tube sock, myself) is excellent with all pitchers but especially youth players. It's amazing how many kids release a baseball like a football -- they throw a cutter all the time. The towel drill teaches the proper release, especially at the hand/fingertips.
To me, developing your fastball (velocity and location) is the essential first step to developing as a pitcher. Until you do that, you have no future as a pitcher. And because "rust never sleeps", doing the drill remains of value even to the experienced, successful pitcher, to keep him on top of his game.
2. Warming up with proper mechanics EVERY TIME is also key. About a year ago I posted a lengthy note about the drills to warm up with; if anyone cares they can search for it.
3. Long toss is great as a strength builder and to help work on hip turn for power.
4. Finally, I think a balance drill is important because if you are not under control, neither is the ball. I see all sorts of kids with great arms whose bodies are flying every which way, and they have no idea where the ball will go when they let it fly. Spot control starts from the ground up.
Posts: 2498 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
Originally posted by YHF: The towel drill is about much more than extension. In fact that's usually the last issue a kid has. More likely, it benefits pitchers that do the following...
1. a pitcher that steps to a closed position and can't rotate his hips enough (if it's properly positioned) can't reach the towel.
2. a pitcher that strides off the 'center line' or straight line to the plate cannot reach the towel.
3. a pitcher who opens his front side too early can't reach the towel.
4. a pitcher that does not control his glove hand (to his pec area generally speaking), cannot reach the towel.
The towel drill can be used as an aid to teaching kids to work out of any of these bad habits.
I think that you did a good job explaining the purpose of the towel can be used for other things. MD is correct, it's a great drill for younger picthers. I saw one of our pitchers doingit last yea trin teh bullpen, he had recently lost his weekend start, trying to throw the ball harder messed up his mechanics, and I was told he needed to practice those drills to get back on track. I guess the pitching coach is in favr of the drill.
Not sure if I consider long toss a drill. Agility and balance drills are very helpful.
Posts: 11011 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
Originally posted by Midlo Dad: 4. Finally, I think a balance drill is important because if you are not under control, neither is the ball. I see all sorts of kids with great arms whose bodies are flying every which way, and they have no idea where the ball will go when they let it fly. Spot control starts from the ground up.
Do you have any examples?
***************************** "Hey dad.......wanna have a catch?"
Posts: 2767 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: January 10, 2004
i dont quite understand the discussion about towel drill. It is about mechanics and is used by many pro ball players. I(t is a towel held in the throwing hand as described and it is done to reacha glove that is held at a distance by another player. Have been doing this for years. There are obviously people doing it wrong. The UV guy describes how to do it. The only thing that I have seen different is the glove in set just above the kneeling players knee at a distance to get a good stride. It is about all the mechanical issues like stride, alingment and extension. This is no brain teaser. It has little to do with arm strength.
Posts: 4399 | Location: Canada | Registered: October 13, 2005
There is no pushing in the towel drill. If someone taught you that, they taught you wrong.
We used the towel or sock with a folding chair set at the proper distance. Hit the seat of the chair. No partner needed. Do it on your own at home, etc.
As for balance drills, a typical drill is freezing in mid-kick to make sure you can hold the spot. There are also specific exercises a personal trainer can give you (with and without weights) to work on hip/glutes strength to help you do better.
Posts: 2498 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
Midlo you use a partner to watch your mechanics so that you do it properly. It doesn't take a guy to hold a glove. He is watching what you do. Whos said anything about pushing ? It is your normal throwing motion. A towel is better since it has some resistance. It was shown to me by the head pitching scout from the Jays when my son was 15. The problem with doing it by yourself is that you will keep on screwing up if your mechanics are off.
Not sure what you call balance but I was taught it was at the top of your leg lift not in the middle of leg kick.
Posts: 4399 | Location: Canada | Registered: October 13, 2005
I just can't see why you just wouldn't want to throw the ball. So you set up a chair and use your normal throwing motion to hit it....big deal.
I can hit a chair with a towel using my throwing motion a hundred different ways, still doesn't mean it is of any use to develop an effecient throw/mechanics
A lot more can be accomplished by using video analysis as you're throwing a ball.
And teaching someone to hold their balance at mid or high kick....when does a pitcher do that when they're throwing?
That's a momentum killer, and is not something I find of any use either. The "balance point" phylosophy isn't what happens in a high level throw.
Having good posture to allow for an efficient loading/unloading of the body (kinetic chain) is what you want to achive.
Posts: 324 | Location: MI | Registered: August 16, 2005
