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  Six step method for teaching and training the underhand pitching techniqueUSPTO Application #: 20080090217Title: Six step method for teaching and training the underhand pitching technique Abstract: The method of teaching the underhand fast pitch softball pitcher is a new and proven technique derived from mechanics of the pitchers body during the underhand motion and the laws of physics. The six step method teaches pitchers how to pitch through dividing the motion into six different steps. Each step has been assigned a name to help generate a picture of the steps are in order to expedite comprehension and execution of each step. Due to the simplistic approach of each step and the use of pictorials, athletes of all skills and abilities are able to master the steps with out error with in weeks. The method also addresses the need to enhance pitching performance and reduce the risk of injury. (end of abstract) Agent: Gary L. Huusko Suite 600 - Apple Valley, MN, US Inventor: Amy Huett USPTO Applicaton #: 20080090217 - Class: 434247 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080090217. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001]1. Field of Invention [0002]The present invention relates to the teaching and training of proper underhand mechanics for fast pitch softball pitching specifically, a six step method teaching proper mechanics of fast pitch softball pitching through detailed explanations of the transitions from each phase of an underhand pitch motion to the next, whereby career ending injuries suffered by many young athletes due to the use of improper technique of the underhand motion are diminished or prevented. [0003]2. Discussion of Prior Art [0004]Prior art is based upon the laws of physics as they relate to the mechanics of the underhand fast pitch motion. Simply stated, the underhand fast pitch motion as a skill can be divided into four phases as explained by Gerry Carr in "Mechanics of Sport", namely, preparatory and mental mind sets, the wind-up, force producing movements, and follow through. [0005]The teaching approach used by many renowned pitching instructors has failed to teach the athlete how to properly transition from one phase of the motion to the next, leaving out important information that made learning how to pitch complicated and frustrating and that put the athletes at a higher risk of injury due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of proper mechanics. The prior art does not teach how to keep the weight back, how and why to keep the back straight, how and why to keep the arm circle in the proper plane, all of which are required to keep an athlete from being injured. Devices and tutors fail pitchers as well, because the pitcher needs to know how to move the arm correctly throughout the arm circle when the particular device is removed. Prior art devices do not solve the root of the problem of each individual needing to know how to keep the arm straight. When performing the underhand pitch, the elbow will bend if the pitcher is leaning forward, pivots the left foot too soon, pulls the arm through with out the shoulders, or even over rotates the shoulder. A device can not correct the cause of the bend; it only acts as a band-aid and forces the elbow to not bend even when the arm is in an incorrect position. When the device is removed from the pitcher, the pitcher will continue to throw incorrectly. Where these devices fail, the present method succeeds to teach the pitchers how to move their arm in the proper position throughout the arm circle and how to prevent incorrect movements. The present invention solves this problem by providing the pitcher with a complete six step method that is orderly and proven to teach and train pitchers through every movement of the underhand motion, as well as an explanation for each step. The six steps of the present method reduces the complexities of the underhand pitching motion down to a six step routine, each step easily shown to a student, who repeats it until muscle memory is achieved. The pitcher is also taught how the body interprets and reports the movements of the steps to the pitcher and how it relates to keeping the body in proper form. The athlete gains a tremendous amount of confidence once they are able to make adjustments with every pitch to maintain proper mechanics, which in turn gives them greater composure while in a game. The pitcher's ability to learn the six steps and how it feels to throw the ball with proper underhand mechanics also allows the pitcher to gain physical and mental advantage over their competitors or students of other methods. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN EMBODIMENT [0006]Your applicant has divided the underhand fast pitch pitching motion into six key step elements. To achieve the goal of training underhand fast pitch pitchers to maximize their performance and to avoid injury, the entire underhand pitching motion was analyzed. A specific point of transition was discovered between each step, each transition point itself a stoppage of motion, whereby pitchers can be taught each step individually in sequence, thereby learning the flow and timing of all the motions, steps and transition points, especially the ones that must done simultaneously. This method of teaching and training underhand pitching mechanics invention replaces an inefficient way of teaching through ambiguous drills, vague instructions and various pitching devices. [0007]Descriptions throughout are for a right-handed pitcher. References to the right arm, right knee, right foot, ball hand, or generally to the right side of the pitcher means the side of the pitcher that is the same side as the throwing arm, and references to the left arm, left knee, left foot, glove hand, or generally to the left side of the pitcher means the side of the pitcher that is the same side as the catching or gloved hand. For left-handed pitchers, simply reverse the "left" and "right" references, making the ball hand the left hand and the glove hand the right hand. Step One: The Bow [0008]The pitcher starts from the set position with shoulders down and relaxed, feet centered on the mound, with the right foot slightly forward of the left. [0009]Starting from the set position, the pitcher with the ball and hand in the glove and elbows slightly bent will raise the arms up and away from the body toward the catcher. The arms will stop going up when they arrive shoulder high. Then, as the arms move up and out shoulder high, at the same time the pitcher will go up onto the balls of the feet. Also, at the same time the pitcher will need to make sure the shoulders are positioned behind the hips. [0010]Then, once the arms are up and the pitcher is up on the balls of the feet, the pitcher will need to come back down. The body will come down by lowering the arms at the same time the left foot is lowered to the ground. This is necessary for balance and for keeping the weight back. During this time, for the right handed pitcher, the right knee will stay bent and the weight will remain over the ball of the right foot. Therefore, the right heel will be off the ground. This position has the feel of preparing to sprint. As the right hand and glove continue down and approach the right hip, the right hand will rotate as it leaves the glove so that the palm of the right hand and the right ball are facing the catcher. The right hand then moves past the hip and continues behind the pitcher at a 45 degree angle away from the body. Also, as the right hand leaves the glove the pitcher will turn the glove hand up and pull the glove into the left hip. The pitcher will slightly bend at the waist and pull the right shoulder back to open the body to a 45 degree angle. It is very important that the pitcher does not place the right arm so that it is lined up with the right shoulder. The right arm must be positioned at a 45 degree angle away from the body to keep the right arm in proper position. Once the right hand is about head high, the pitcher then flips the right hand up so that the fingers are pointing up and that the ball is facing centerfield. This movement marks the end of step one and initiates step two. Step Two: The Statue of Liberty [0011]From the end of step one the pitcher will bring the right arm down toward the hips. As the right arm approaches the hip, the pitcher will then apply a downward push through the ball of the right foot and stops any forward momentum through her right knee while the knee remains slightly bent. The right knee has the feeling of hitting a wall. The right knee will then spring the pitcher upward while the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground. This action then helps keep the weight back at the same time whips the right arm up to the top of the arm circle. This is the first arm whip of two that occur with the underhand motion and is unique to the six step method. The right hand and arm will be positioned past the eyes and in front of the ears. The right arm is straight, the fingers are pointing up and the palm is facing the catcher. The position is much like one raising their hand is class. In addition, when the right arm goes up, the pitcher simultaneously goes up onto the balls of the feet. The pitcher will need to slightly lean back to make sure the shoulders are behind the hips, not in front of them. Step Three: The Flamingo [0012]Part Three-One: The Lower Body [0013]From the end of step two, the pitcher will need to pick up the left foot and bring the left knee up waist high, left knee will be pointing toward third base and the toes pointing to the ground. At the same time, the right foot will pivot the body from facing the catcher to facing third base. When the pivot phase is done, the left knee will be just below the waist and the left foot will need to be pointing down to the ground. This is to help maintain balance and assure for proper timing. The pitcher will need to balance on the ball of the right foot. In order to accomplish this, the right knee will need to stay slightly bent during the pivot phase and the body will need to slightly lean back to counter balance the left leg. [0014]Part Three-Two: The Upper Body [0015]The Back: [0016]During the pivot, the hips and shoulders must move together to keep the back straight. This is to keep the back safe. The hips and shoulders can not separate. Lock the hips and shoulders in place and move them as one while the body turns on the ball of the right foot. [0017]The Arm: [0018]During the pivot, while the knee, hips and shoulders are all moving together, the right arm is moved at the same time from the front of the body to the back of the body. Never move the right arm into position during this phase. The shoulders put the right arm in position, once the right arm is in position then the pitcher can continue to move the arm down through the release point. There should be no internal shoulder movements, meaning the pitcher shouldn't feel the shoulder muscles working during this phase. [0019]The Hand: Continue reading... 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