Understanding scapular upward rotation and how it applies to your athletes will help make your throwing programs more effective, more practical and make much more sense!
During overhead movements, the scapular (shoulder blade) needs to upwardly rotate efficiently on the ribcage, to allow the arm to move through a specific range of motion. Take a look at this awesome video on Scapular Upward Rotation by Eric Cressey.
So, if you have a faulty scapular upward rotation movement, the arm cannot elevate properly, which could essentially limit the degree of external rotation at the shoulder joint. This then inhibits the arm from moving into and through external rotation ON TIME during the throwing delivery. It would feel as if the arm is “LATE” getting into and through this integral movement of throwing.
How Do We Fix This Problem?
Coaches & Players, when you understand that this scapular upward rotation movement directly correlates with throwing, then any other drill that doesn’t reinforce this pattern, is, well, a waste of time.
Scap Pulls
Scap Rolls
Bent Elbow Raise®
Lightning Band Upward Rotation Patterning
Leave a Reply