The Pitching Edge (Paperback)

by Tom House (Author) "Pitching technique has been taught for a hundred years..." (more)
Key Phrases: throwing workloads, late torso rotation, sequential muscle loading, Kevin Brown, Nolan Ryan, Alan Blitzblau (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"
"""Tom and I worked together when we were with the Texas Rangers. He's always been ahead of his time when it comes to baseball information and instruction. This revised Pitching Edge is a must-read if you want to know what's new with pitching training, techniques, and thinking."""
Rob Nen
Pitcher, San Francisco Giants
"""In person, in videos, and in books, Tom has always tried to give coaches and athletes state-of-the-art methods to prepare for competition. This second edition of The Pitching Edge updates his mental and physical training protocols, providing new drills to help improve the skills of any pitcher who is willing to work."""
Charles Nagy
Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
This is a practical guide full of information for pitchers and coaches at every level from Little League to the major league. It covers the three keys to pitching success: technique, training and thinking. The section on technique shows how to apply 3-D motion analysis to pitching mechanics. The training section details the latest methods for conditioning the pitcher's total body and throwing arm, whilst the thinking section focuses on the mental aspects of ptiching, including preventing game anxiety, handling postgame anxiety, and more.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873225031
• ISBN-13: 978-0873225038
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,479,591 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definite book on throwing technique., October 20, 1998

By	Richard R, Kennedy LL.B. NCCP 566075 (rkenned... (Fonthill Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Former major league player and coach Tom House's work is a guide for both pitchers and pitching coaches alike. He explains why a different pitch only effects a change in neuromuscular sequencing for the forearm, wrist, elbow and fingers and that is only a change in the angle. The different angles of the forearm, wrist, hand and fingers alter the speed, spin and path of the pitch (velocity, rotation and flight). The angle is more important than the actual grip in effecting the pitch as every pitch leaves the middle finger last. The ideal book on velocity and rotation optimization.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars complex, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

The pitching edge is a very good book for pitching coaches and high school-collegiate athletes. Tom uses a lot of material that might be to complex for younger readers. Tom does a great job in research and describes and shows why and how to use proper pitching mechanics. He also decribes how to use different cycles for different pitchers and this would help the inexperienced pitching coach.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great on mechanics and workouts,not so great on mental stuff, January 11, 2000

By	Peter Wermuth (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Pitching Edge (Paperback)

First of all let me say that this is a great book, and most likely the best on the market on pitching.
Mechanics are described expertly by Tom House who shows in great detail where which body part has to be in space and time. He also lets you know which parts of the pitching motion you don't have to waste time on, since they will be done correctly automatically if you do the crucial things right. You have to be ready to accept change. Tom House teaches for example that the glove hand shouldn't be pulled towards the body to initiate rotation of the upper body.
The workouts given and the part of the book on physical conditioning in general are excellent.
However, I found that the book was pretty superficial on the mental aspect of pitching. 2-3 page chapters go over various aspects swiftly and without great depth.
Clearly Tom House's specialty are the movements, posture, and dynamics of a Pitcher, where his expertise is based on computer analysis.