At Pitching Dynamics we provide fastpitch softball pitching instruction utilizing Internal Rotation (IR) pitching mechanics. Beginning pitchers are often taught "Hello Elbow" pitching mechanics where the pitcher finishes the pitch by pointing their elbow at the catcher and touching their hand to their throwing-side shoulder. This "bowling" pitching style is often taught to younger pitchers because it is an easy way to get them throwing strikes. The problem is it’s an unnatural act, and no top-level pitcher actually does it – even those pitchers who advocate it in their videos. To point your elbow at the catcher and touch your shoulder at the end of the pitch, you have to push the ball through the arm circle and at release. This the opposite of what you want to do, and limits velocity and spin. With IR mechanics, the ball is pulled through release with a whipping action, utilizing the larger muscles of the shoulder and back along with internal rotation of the forearm. This allows the pitcher to achieve higher velocity and greater spin.

The reason many pitching coaches teach "Hello Elbow" mechanics is because that is how they were taught 10, 15, even 30 years ago!  Pitching mechanics have come a long way since then and if your pitching coach is still teaching these mechanics, run!