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1. Throwing is a three dimensional tri-plane loading and exploding.

2. There are two phases of loading and exploding for the throwingmechanism.

3. An eccentric reaction throughout the entire chain is required for efficient throwing.

4. The pelvis and the shoulders load in the same direction in the transverse plane (shoulders faster and farther) to effectively load the trunk.

5. Functional analysis of the thrower involves evaluating the two phases of loading and unloading.

6. Effectively evaluating the thrower involves appreciating a Chain Reaction™ of throwing from the ground up.

7. In overhand throwing the thrower’s prayer is that moment in time when the body is getting ready to load in all three planes of motion.

8. Functional rehabilitation for throwing involves clearing the chain from both ends and in all three planes.

9. The throwing mechanism is involved in a lot of what we do functionally.

10.Our energy in rehabilitation should be put into what gives us the energy to effectively throw.

11.The path of least resistance typically is the path to causing compensations and injuries with throwers.

12.Tri-plane balance reaction is the key to training and conditioningthe thrower.

13.Relative rotation through the trunk and extremities allows eccentric proprioceptively enriched loading and effective throwing.

14.Medicine ball throwing drills can be utilized to enhance the golf swing and other functional activities.

15.Flexibility and stability are critical in order to load passive energyinto the muscles and tendons.

16.Functional research reinforces our understanding of Chain Reaction™ and the biomechanics of function.

v1.11 THROWINGThe Chain Reaction Whip

By: Gary Gray, PT

OBJECTIVES FOR THE THROWING FUNCTIONAL GUIDETo assimilate up-to-date information and knowledge of The Chain Reaction Whip of Throwing.

To learn how to apply effective functional techniqueswhen testing, training and rehabilitating throwing.

To understand and appreciate the tri-plane ChainReaction™ principles as they apply to throwing.

HOW TO USE THIS FUNCTIONAL GUIDEThis functional guide can be used as a convenientsummary of the program’s contents to take with youafter viewing. You can also use this guide as a notebook; space has been provided so that you canmake notes on relevant tracts as you watch them.

•Demonstration of ambidextrous throwing from the mound.

•Realizing I have the greatest parents in the world, who always positionme for success and encourage me.

•Demonstrating “my move” to second base.

STRATEGY 1

Strategically understanding that throwing is a full body, three dimensional

Chain Reaction™.

STRATEGY 2

Strategically appreciating that throwing involves two phases of loading

and exploding.

STRATEGY 3

Strategically taking advantage of realizing that throwing occurs from

the ground up.

STRATEGY 4

Strategically realizing the potential causes and compensations of

throwing injuries.

STRATEGY 5

Strategically analyzing the thrower with the integration of functional

balance reach, lunge and jump testing.

STRATEGY 6

Strategically understanding the function of the abdominals in throwing.

STRATEGY 7

Strategically rehabilitating the entire chain of the body to facilitate

effective loading.

STRATEGY 8

Strategically designing a balance reaction training and conditioning

program to facilitate throwing.

STRATEGY 9

Strategically transforming the understanding of throwing into other

sports and activities.

STRATEGY 10

Strategically appreciating the blending of function and effective research

relative to throwing.

Throwing is accomplished by “loading the cannon”.

Description of lunging and reaching in the opposite direction before throwing.

Throwing is a three dimensional tri-plane loading and exploding . . .eccentric loading with concentric explosion.

Throwing is a functional cycle that occurs in three planes of motion.

Most throwing activities involve four components . . . loading - exploding (throwing)- loading (deceleration) - exploding.

Description of the overhand throwing thrower’s prayer - that moment in timewhen the body is getting ready to load in three planes of motion.

In order to throw effectively we need to load effectively throughout the entirebody and in all three planes.

Loading from the ground up requires the following:-Ankle dorsiflexion, subtalar joint eversion, midtarsal joint unlocking. -Knee flexion, abduction and internal rotation (driven in all three planes of motion).-Hip internal rotation flexion and adduction . . . the “butt load” reaction.

The “butt load” creates the rotational potential energy.

Effective hip loading in all three planes facilitates appropriate loading throughoutthe trunk, scapula and shoulders.

Description of “losing balance early” . . . the limited subtalar joint eversion causesthe hips to not load fully and therefore open up early . . . the trunk opens upearly . . . the shoulder opens up early . . . the upper extremity is then put at risk.

Every component of throwing is essential to an effective loading mechanism.

In throwing, the pelvis and shoulders load in the same direction in the trans-verse plane to get full and effective trunk loading.

The lunge leg in throwing is the continuation of the trunk and the upper extremityload.

The lunge leg in throwing is also the mechanism of deceleration of throwing.

Throwing is a CChhaaiinn RReeaaccttiioonn™™.. It is knowing what every muscle and joint inthe body is doing to effectively load for an effective, productive throw.

Throwing a frisbee involves loading the entire chain.

Identifying the causes and compensations of throwing injuries that cause shoulderand elbow dysfunction and injuries.

Example of medial epicondylitis being secondary to great toe MP joint dysfunction.

Throwing is a tri-plane sport . . . the body is designed to enjoy the art of throwing.

CASE PRESENTATION - Sharing the privilege of introducing Keith Bozyk, ATC

Discussion of specific analysis techniques we utilize to evaluate a thrower

Gait Analysis and Throwers

Piecing together the components of throwing

Features of throwing that need to be functionally clear

Main question dependent upon the type of throwing, “Can you load and unloadthrough both phases of loading and unloading?”

Doing the biomechanical analysis from the bottom up

Pitcher’s Prayer: unilateral leg balance with opposite leg, hip and kneeflexed 90 degrees • Pitcher’s Prayer, right ankle dorsiflexion excursion• Pitcher’s Prayer, knee flexion excursion• Pitcher’s Prayer, with left and right rotation, analyzing ankle dorsiflexion • Pitcher’s Prayer, knee flexion, excursion

Double check ankle and hip functionHow is the hip being utilized?

• Pitcher’s Prayer, knee flexion, excursion with bilateral arm overhead posterior reach

• Pitcher’s Prayer, with quick left and right rotation, assessing right subtalar, right hip, trunk and arms

Understanding the comparison to the opposite side • Pitcher’s Prayer, right rotation with tweaking, looking at right internal rotation

and assessing the foot’s ability to help with the hip load• Pitcher’s Prayer, hip adduction• Pitcher’s Prayer, left hand, right rotation reach at shoulder height• Pitcher’s Prayer, right hand, right rotation reach at shoulder height• Right hip flexion and right hip extension excursion test • Right posterior lunge looking at hip extension• Right leg balance, left hand anterior lateral reach• Left leg balance, right hand anterior lateral reach

Explanation of the lunge hip tri-plane function of deceleration•Right lateral rotational lunge•Left lateral rotational lunge•Left lateral rotational lunge with bilateral arm overhead reach•Left leg balance, right leg anterior lateral reach, and right arm anterior lateral

reach at waist height •Right leg balance, left leg anterior lateral reach, and left arm anterior lateral

reach at waist height •Left leg medial rotational jump test•Right leg medial rotational jump test•Right leg balance, bilateral arm, right and left rotation at shoulder height

Looking for asymmetries in view of knowing that throwing is an asymmetricalactivity

KEY QUESTION . . . Can you tri-plane load for both loading phases for thedesired type of throwing?

TRYING TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM . . . THECAUSES, COMPENSATIONS AND SYMPTOMS

• “Just clear the chain of throwing”• Clearing the chain from both ends• Functionally clear the full loading of the throw and the full loading for the deceleration.• Create appropriate biomechanical consistent motion to turn the proprioceptors

on, in order to turn the muscles on, in order to throw better.• Pre-functional and post-functional tests• Understanding mostability . . . creating enhanced mobility for enhanced eccentric

loading, and transforming that into functional strength to take advantage of the new mobility and proprioceptive stimulation.

TRUE STRETCH™ CCHHAAIINN RREEAACCTTIIOONN™™ MANUAL MOBILIZATION• Right Pitcher’s Prayer position with left hip and knee flexed and left foot on front

platform• Right foot everted by the platform base• Right knee flexion drive• Left hip flexion drive• Right hip internal rotational drive• Right hip internal rotation with femur drive• Right hip internal rotation with pelvis drive• Right hip internal rotation with scapular drive• Right rotational drive with arms reaching to the right• Right hip adduction drive with right arm abducted

Pitcher’s Prayer . . . Balance Reach Exercises Tweaked (Loads, Distances,Speeds, Feedbacks)

TRUE STRETCH™ CCHHAAIINN RREEAACCTTIIOONN™™ MANUAL MOBILIZATION• Right hip extended• Left leg on base with foot everted by the base

• Right arm anterior lateral reach with flexion drive• Right hip flexion drive• Right arm left rotational drive• Right scapular drive• Thoracic drive• Pelvis drive• Left hip adduction with left shoulder drive• Left hip adduction with pelvis drive• Left hip adduction with femur drive

“Loose yet strong goose”. - G. Gray

• Lunges with reaches with tweaks• Balance reaches with tweaks• Balance reaction with tweaks

A special thanks to Keith Bozyk, ATC

ANALYSIS AND REHABILITATION DEBRIEF WITH BOB WIERSMA, P.T.• The throwing mechanism is involved in a lot of what we do• Throwing is a major driver to the transverse plane• Throwing is one big motion with a lot of little subcomponents• The strategy of any functional activity is to find out what parts of the body

accomplish an effective and productive load• Three phases of loading and unloading for a volleyball spike• Our energy should be put into what gives us the energy to do the thing• Discussion of slow motion analysis• Realizing we are just seeing symptoms with global analysis techniques• Stimulating the scapula in throwing• Common glitches with anterior and posterior symptoms• Warm up and conditioning programs for throwing• Understanding the path of least resistance

GGAARRYY’’SS OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNIITTYY TTOO TTRRAAIINN AANNDD CCOONNDDIITTIIOONN WWIITTHH KKRRIISSSSYY TTHHRREEEETT

3D PITCHER’S BALANCE WORKOUT FOR UNDERHAND AND OVERHANDTHROWING

Balance Reaction Exercises With Dumbbell Weights• Right leg balance, overhead Matrix

• Right leg balance, overhead sagittal plane anterior and posterior reaches

• Left leg balance, waist to shoulder Matrix

• Right leg balance, overhead Matrix with left leg anterior and posterior reach

• Right leg balance, overhead sagittal plane reach with left leg medial and

lateral reach

• Right leg balance, overhead sagittal plane reach with left leg right and left

rotational reach

• Right leg balance, overhead rotational reach with left leg right and left

rotational reach

• Left leg balance, waist to shoulder sagittal plane with right leg anterior and

posterior reach

• Left leg balance, waist to shoulder sagittal plane with right leg medial and

lateral reach

• Left leg balance, waist to shoulder sagittal plane with right leg right and left

rotational reach

• Left leg balance, with right posterior lunge with pole, with overhead Matrix

• Left leg balance, with right leg posterior reach

Partner Balance Reaction With Ankle Bungee Attachment While Playing Catch• Sagittal plane, face to face

• Frontal plane, side to side

• Sagittal plane, back to back

• Sagittal plane, back to back with arms overhead

• Frontal plane, side to side

• Transverse plane, both ways

Mirror Balance Reaction With Band On Legs And Bungee Hand Attachments• Opposite arm and leg

• Same arm and leg

Balance Reaction With Above Pelvis Belt With Bungee Attachment• Right Pitcher’s Prayer with sagittal anterior pull

• Right Pitcher’s Prayer with frontal medial pull

• Right Pitcher’s Prayer with sagittal posterior pull

• Right Pitcher’s Prayer with frontal lateral pull

Description of tweakabilities and other balance exercises to be integrated

The goal is to train properly beyond what you need to do.

Thanking Krissy Threet for her friendship and hard work.

DISCUSSION OF THE SIMILARITIES IN SWINGING AND THROWING

In swinging and in throwing the shoulders are rotating in the same direction as the pelvis (shoulders, faster and farther).

The shoulders move faster beyond the pelvis in order to get an eccentric proprioceptively enriched core load.

Understanding how throwing can be used to enhance our ability in anumber of different functional activities.

In walking, the pelvis and the shoulders move in opposite directions tofacilitate the load of the trunk.

MEDICINE BALL THROWING DRILLS TO ENHANCE THE GOLF SWING• Transverse plane load and throw with lateral lunge on same side• Frontal plane load and throw with rotational lunge on same side• Frontal plane load and throw to the backswing side• Frontal plane load and throw to the follow through side• Transverse plane load and throw to the backswing side• Transverse plane load and throw to the follow through side • Right leg balance, frontal plane load and throw• Left leg balance, frontal plane load and throw• Right leg balance, transverse plane load and throw• Left leg balance, transverse plane load and throw

GOLF CLUB THROWING DRILL . . . THROWING THE CLUB THROUGHTHE BALL

RESEARCH ROUNDTABLE WITH DR. DAVID TIBERIO

Discussion of research article D. Hong, T.K. Cheung, E.M. Roberts. A three dimensional, six-segment chainanalysis of forceful overarm throwing. Journal of Electromyography andKinesiology 11 (2001) pp 95-112

•The whipping of throwing . . . the elbow was extending . . . while the elbowextensors were quiet . . . discussion of muscle moments.1. Rotation of the trunk initiated the forward movement of the ball. 2. A number of joints move without their associated joint muscles being activeand causing the movement. 3. There is not a traditional proximal to distal sequencing. • Understanding transformation through the transverse plane.• Finding a sequencing of the planes of motion with transverse plane being first,the frontal plane being second, and finally the sagittal plane. • Understanding relative rotation . . . external rotation of the shoulder (the finaleccentric load) occurs with the trunk moving forward faster than the ball, there-fore, creating an external rotation eccentric load. • The winding is still going on with the body moving forward and the ball movingforward . . . the body is being set up effectively. • Discussion of when common sense and research start to blend.• Peak velocity because the body is utilized as a multiple whip.• Revealing the sequencing of the slowing down of segments to create the whipeffect. • Flexibility and stability is critical in order to load passive energy into the musclesand tendons.

• We need to create functional manual therapy environments to functionallyclear the path and allow the appropriate eccentric load sequentially where itneeds to occur, in order to provide the passive elasticity to fully excite the proprioceptors within an integrated approach to bring it all together. • The need to get the proprioceptive communications throughout the entire trunkfrom the feet to the hands. • Trunk and shoulder relative rotation involves the following:1. The pelvis and shoulders moving in the same direction with the shoulders moving faster. 2. The pelvis and shoulders moving in the same direction with the pelvis moving faster. 3. The pelvis moving and the shoulders are not.4. The shoulders moving and the pelvis is not.5. The pelvis moving in one direction and the shoulders in the opposite direction.• Discussion of dysfunctional deceleration load causing an ineffective initial load.• Discussion of vision and eyes as a significant driver to the head and neck andultimately into the trunk.

Thank you to Dr. David Tiberio

Free Bonus TrackCliff Washburn with D2G2“The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power”