Anyone heard of or used the ThrowMax throwing aid?

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Rose on March 10, 2010 at 11:34am

Actually, I have not heard of this aid, but it appears it may be cumbersome to use. I use an aid called Strikeout Strippz, designed and patented by a former major league pitcher named Jack Kucek, a friend of mine. Take a look at the Strippz and the video and you'll find it so much easier to put a player into the proper arm slot for throwing from anywhere on the field, including catcher. Every player on my team, in fact our entire organization here in Maryland, has the Strippz; and we use them prior to every practice, game, etc. I also use them when I give my pitching lessons.

It is the best throwing training aid I have ever seen! If anyone has any questions, drop me a line here or at Biglefty32@hotmail.com and I can provide more details.

Coach Chuck Rose (Biglefty32)

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Permalink Reply by Kip Gross on March 10, 2010 at 12:28pm

We use a small towel, been using this method since I 1st went to college in 1984. Works great. It is a good idea though.Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Rose on March 10, 2010 at 12:30pm

Kip,
Have you seen or used the Strikeout Strippz? I used to use a towel as well when I went to college in the early 70's. But I think the towel restricts the full release of the throw at the end and it doesn't put your arm in the proper throwing position or slot. Just my thoughts!!

Chuck

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Permalink Reply by Kip Gross on March 10, 2010 at 1:05pm

Chuck,

you are probably right on this as I have not used the Strippz. Although it does look like a simple gizmo, I would probably guess that the instruction is as valuable as the Strippz.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Grucci on March 10, 2010 at 12:55pm

How can I use either of these mechanisms to teach my younger kids (8-10) to not short arm their throws? Basically, I tell them that their arms should be an "L" and not a "V". Yet, when they throw, they end up making a "V" with their arm when they come over the top instead of getting their forearm out there and up. Every now and then they will end up getting it correctly and there is a huge difference in velocity and accuracy.

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Kip Gross on March 10, 2010 at 1:15pm

Kyle,

this might sound real simple but what I do is stand behind the player and hold his hand and arm straight back making sure his hand is on top of the ball. Then I have him begin pushing his lower half to his target while still holding his hand. Then when I feel he has enough pull I let his hand go which in turn STARTS him in the almost proper position. This is NOT a quick fix by any means but it does work if you are persistent. I always tell my students that Rome wasn't built in a day. One of my issues with this is that I like kids to be themselves and sometimes you have to decide if the individual will continue throwing this way at an older age or not. I have one kid that I've been teaching for some time that had a similar issue and I decided that his motion was just enough to hide the ball well against left handed batter, he is left handed as well, anyhow, 3 years later I got the kid a college scholarship and they want him for that purpose, to get lefties out. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Grucci on March 10, 2010 at 1:22pm

Thanks, Kip. That does help.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Medrano AKA BIG E on March 10, 2010 at 2:21pm

I agree with Kip- The towel drill is a lot more effective. I use that drill when training the kids. Usually the focus of the towel drill is to isolate throwing arm accelaration and decelaration action and teach proper throwing arm extension. The way that I learn how to do it is that the pitcher holds a small towel in his throwing hand. He then spreads his feet as far apart as comfortable, attempting to simulate a sound landing position in the delivery. The back foot remains perpendicular to a line to the target, kind like in a stretch pitching position. The front foot is pointed almost completely to the target. Weight should be evenly distributed, and the front knee should be inside the foot. Make sure that the shoulders are level, with the glove side shoulder pointed to the target. Head and eyes are level, looking at the target. Elbows are raised to shoulder height and inside the shoulders. From this position, the pitcher, on command, pivots on his back foot and completes his throwing motion, using the towel to make contact with partner's hand. However, the partner is on one knee with his palm up at such a distance away from the thrower that the thrower must fully extend to hit the palm(glove) witht the towel. IT works and it is cheaper than buying the ThrowMax. Kip is so right, this drill works. Hope it helps.

BTW: the key teaching point in the drill is to help pitchers learn how proper arm action improves hand speed. What basically the towel does is to help the pitcher feel and actually hear the whipping action that accompanies good hand speed. However, he wont be able to achieve this whiplike action with his arm if the arm is stiff.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Rose on March 10, 2010 at 3:30pm

Could I recommend trying the Strikeout Strippz in your drill? You're doing the exact same thing, but can see it better with the Strippz with the added feature of actually feeling like you're throwing a ball. With the towel, I found it is not like holding a baseball and has created some bad actoins when you get to throwing a real ball. Again, just my thoughts!

Chuck

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Permalink Reply by Walter Wilson III on March 10, 2010 at 2:29pm

I have one and it increased my velocity and gave me a better range of motion.

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Permalink Reply by HENRY MUNEVAR on March 10, 2010 at 5:21pm

WWW.HENRYSBASEBALLCLUB.COM 781 891 0621 A LONG TIME AGO WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT THE MANUFACTURER SENT ME A FREE ON TO TRY OUT AND TO SHOW THE PLAYERS. I TRIED IT BUT IT KEEP YOUR ARM STRAIT AND IT DOES NOT HELP. SORRY I LIKE TRAINING AIDS BUT THIS RESTRICTED MOVEMENT SO IT WAS NOT A PRODUCT THAT WOULD RECOMEND. I LIKE THE BALL WITH THE LASTIC THE BEST.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Kafer on September 26, 2012 at 10:55pm

The ThrowMAX is a great tool to correct short arming the ball. The ThrowMAX does not allow the player to bend the arm greater than 90 degrees while throwing a baseball. It also fixes players that throw with a low elbow. Players learn by seeing, feeling and hearing. The ThrowMAX allows the player to feel the proper arm motion to throw the ball.

We have used it extensively on the player we coach and have had great results. The ThrowMAX weighs less than 3 ounces and does not impede proper throwing mechanics.

We also use the ThrowMAX during the towell drill in front of a mirror to reinforce and enhance the learning curve.

The great thing about the ThrowMAX vs Strippz or the towell drill, is you can accually throw a ball with it on. That is the whole point of the ThrowMAX... to learn to throw mechanically sound while throwing. The ThrowMAX is great to use during long toss and bull pens and just plain playing catch. The progress and results are quite amazing to watch.

Tim

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