I believe 80 plus percent of the pitcher injury and Tommy John surgery epidemic is being driven by five problematic pitching movement patterns; patterns that pitchers don't do naturally but instead must be taught...

1. Flat Arm Syndrome
2. Tommy John Twist
3.  Scap Loading
   • Elbow Spiral (Staircase)
4. Positive Disconnection
5. Power Position

These movements DO work, but are also problematic, because they create Timing problems; the pitcher's pitching arm isn't in the right position when their pitching arm starts to come under load.

The Big Five

Matt Harvey's pitching mechanics are a perfect example of these problems. In my opinion, they explain Matt Harvey's past elbow and shoulder problems and set him up for more arm problems.

And, worse, more and more baseball pitchers are having problems with clots, which is just part of something I call TICaNS.

However, there is some recent good news. At my urging, Dr. Glenn Fleisig of ASMI recently advised USA Baseball to STOP recommending that pitchers point the ball at second base.

If we can eliminate these five movement patterns -- stop teachign them and/or using the cues that lead to them, I believe we could quickly stop the Tommy John surgery and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome epidemic in its tracks.

Flat Arm Syndrome

Pitching coaches, starting with Paul Nyman, noticed that harder throwers tended to -- but did not ALWAYS -- throw from a FLAT arm position, leading to a plague of what I call Flat Arm Syndrome.

Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood of the Cubs was one of the first pitchers to do this -- as a Stater -- which helped to explain both his...

• Rapid and Significant Success
• Inability to Stay Healthy

Tommy John Twist

Telling throwers and pitchers to point the ball at second base is the main cause of The Tommy John Twist.

Casey Mize

Hunter Harvey

While Pronation into and through the release point can be good, Premature Pronation can be very bad.

As for the "studies" that would have you believe I'm wrong about this, please read my Comments on Investigating the Tommy John Twist.

The Power Position

As I write this, at the end of 2016, Justin Verlander just completed one of the best seasons of his career; a season where he returned to both health and dominance.

Justin Verlander

Tragically, many pitchers are being taught a Power Position at foot plant that differs significantly from what Justin Verlander does.

Mayo Clinic Power Position

That seemingly small difference in the pitcher's Timing -- in the position of the pitching arm when the front foot plants -- goes a long way toward explaining the epidemic.

Hyperabduction

Hyperabduction, which results from telling pitchers to get their pitching arm side elbows up above the level of their shoulders, like Matt Harvey does...

Matt Harvey

...or to keep their fingers on top of the ball (into foot plant) may be one reason why Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is becoming an increasing problem in baseball pitchers...

• Throwing-induced Coagulation and Neuropathy Syndrome (TICaNS)