Rating: Summary: FROM BOTTOM TO THE TOP Review: A FEW YEARS AGO I MOVED DOWN TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL. THAT FIRST YEAR I LOST ALL MY GAMES. I FELT TERRIBLE. I TAUGHT THE PLAYERS EVERYTHING I COULD ABOUT DEFENSE AND HITTING. I REALIZED THAT AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL MORE TIME SHOULD BE SPENT ON PITCHING. I LOOKED FOR HELP AND FOUND TOM HOUSE'S BOOK THE PITCHING EDGE. THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND THIS LAST YEAR I MADE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER COMING IN LAST THAT FIRST YEAR. I'VE PLAYED BASEBALL FOR YEARS AND PITCHED, BUT THIS BOOK ALSO SHOWED ME NOT HOW BUT WHY. THIS IS WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. I UNDERSTOOD WHY AND THEN THEY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE BODY MUST MOVE IN CERTAIN WAYS. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.
Rating: Summary: FROM BOTTOM TO THE TOP Review: A FEW YEARS AGO I MOVED DOWN TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL. THAT FIRST YEAR I LOST ALL MY GAMES. I FELT TERRIBLE. I TAUGHT THE PLAYERS EVERYTHING I COULD ABOUT DEFENSE AND HITTING. I REALIZED THAT AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE LEVEL MORE TIME SHOULD BE SPENT ON PITCHING. I LOOKED FOR HELP AND FOUND TOM HOUSE'S BOOK THE PITCHING EDGE. THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND THIS LAST YEAR I MADE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER COMING IN LAST THAT FIRST YEAR. I'VE PLAYED BASEBALL FOR YEARS AND PITCHED, BUT THIS BOOK ALSO SHOWED ME NOT HOW BUT WHY. THIS IS WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. I UNDERSTOOD WHY AND THEN THEY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE BODY MUST MOVE IN CERTAIN WAYS. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.
Rating: Summary: Great on mechanics and workouts,not so great on mental stuff Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Most objective book I've ever read on pitching techniques Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: The definite book on throwing technique. Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: The Pitching Edge by Tom House Review: House did not write this book for Little League coaches who want to help their kids. It is loaded with hyper-technical jargon that House does not explain and won't make sense to experienced players and coaches. For example, in a section on how to pitch off a mound, House states, "A pitcher must find and keep an upper body spine-to-hip relationship with a constant angle of flex in posting knee at front leg lift, stride and landing -- directing upper body into torso rotation and launch of a baseball." What? His science may be correct, but you won't benefit from this book because House does not translate the science into common sense terms that ballplayers will understand.
Rating: Summary: The Pitching Edge by Tom House Review: House did not write this book for Little League coaches who want to help their kids. It is loaded with hyper-technical jargon that House does not explain and won't make sense to experienced players and coaches. For example, in a section on how to pitch off a mound, House states, "A pitcher must find and keep an upper body spine-to-hip relationship with a constant angle of flex in posting knee at front leg lift, stride and landing -- directing upper body into torso rotation and launch of a baseball." What? His science may be correct, but you won't benefit from this book because House does not translate the science into common sense terms that ballplayers will understand.
Rating: Summary: Good for older readers Review: I wish this book was around when I was pitching in high school and college. It would have helped me in countless ways (better fundamentals, skill work, and specific exercises for pitchers). Now I'm 44 and pitching in an over 40 league!If you are in high school or older I highly recommend this book. Dad, it would be good for you to read and then use it to teach a younger baseball player. If you are a high school or college coach, you OWE it to your kids to read this and help them. Good Luck.
Rating: Summary: Good for older readers Review: I wish this book was around when I was pitching in high school and college. It would have helped me in countless ways (better fundamentals, skill work, and specific exercises for pitchers). Now I'm 44 and pitching in an over 40 league! If you are in high school or older I highly recommend this book. Dad, it would be good for you to read and then use it to teach a younger baseball player. If you are a high school or college coach, you OWE it to your kids to read this and help them. Good Luck.
Rating: Summary: complex Review: 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.
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