ZenoLink Founder and Biomechanical Expert, Chris Welch, Offers Expert Commentary in this Three Part Series on the Use of 3-D Motion Analysis to Improve Baseball Player’s Performance
A popular misconception about base running is that it’s all about speed. Speed is great, but efficiency is better, especially when it comes to the score. A player eventually reaching home plate often depends on their ability to strategically steal second or run to third on a ground ball. Despite base running being a fundamental skill for a team’s ability to score runs, crucial mistakes still happen at all levels of the game. ZenoLink founder and biomechanical expert, Chris Welch, explains where these errors lie.
“The first three steps are the most important in base stealing,” says Welch. “The key to getting a jump start and a successful stolen base lies in the player’s ability to ‘push and pull’ – push against the ground with maximum force, then rapidly pull the foot off the ground and swing the leg forward.” Another key Welch contributes to successful base runners is good core stabilization. “Core stabilization allows for the ability to create a counter torque between the pelvis and the upper torso, which is the key in creating the ‘pull’ part in the push/pull action, which is where most athletes lose a step”
Chris Welch is the founder of ZenoLink and the leading expert on sports injury prevention and increased performance for athletes as it relates to one simple solution: coordination through understanding biomechanics.
