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Two sports medicine experts pull back the curtain on why young baseball pitchers are getting injured at alarming rates—and it's not what most coaches and trainers think.

Drs. Kevin McGovern and Clay Hammons dive deep into real case studies that reveal the true culprits behind baseball's arm injury epidemic. Through detailed analysis of an 18-year-old pitcher with "dead arm" syndrome and a senior with a partially torn UCL, they demonstrate how poor mechanics—not lack of strength—initiated these preventable injuries.

The doctors methodically dismantle the popular notion that strength training alone can overcome faulty mechanics. "If you have a wheel with five lug nuts and three are stripped off and two are loose and it's wobbling... hitting the gas will just make the wheel fall off faster," explains Dr. McGovern. This vivid analogy perfectly captures why focusing on velocity before fixing mechanical issues is a recipe for disaster.

Parents will find particularly valuable guidance on what to look for in a proper assessment, including red flags that signal it's time to find different care. Both doctors emphasize the critical importance of immediate test-retest protocols that demonstrate measurable improvement in a single session. They also warn about facilities requiring injury waivers—a clear sign to "run."

Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode offers crucial insights that challenge conventional wisdom about avoiding arm injuries. The doctors' shared mission comes through powerfully: young players should choose when they stop playing baseball, not have that decision forced upon them by preventable injuries. Follow their systematic approach—assess impairments, treat them, master mechanics, then build velocity—to keep arms healthy for the long haul.

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The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

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Dr. Kevin McGovern unveils a groundbreaking approach to understanding and preventing Tommy John injuries through what he calls "The Tommy John Formula." This mathematical framework identifies three critical mechanical flaws that lead pitchers toward catastrophic arm injuries—drift, drag, and shrug. Each component disrupts the natural kinetic chain and places dangerous stress on the throwing arm.

The formula stems from Dr. McGovern's fundamental principle that "movement is math"—meaning there's only one biomechanically correct sequence for throwing a baseball. Everything else represents compensatory patterns that increase injury risk. Using a building analogy, he explains how many coaches focus on advanced "penthouse" exercises while neglecting foundation movement patterns, creating an unstable structure destined for collapse.

Each formula component reveals specific mechanical breakdowns. "Drift" occurs when pitchers shift their center of mass forward too early rather than properly hinging and utilizing lower body power. "Drag" involves inappropriately anchoring the back leg, preventing natural sequencing and energy transfer. "Shrug" violates proper shoulder mechanics by elevating the glove-side shoulder, creating mechanical impingement before throwing even begins.

Most alarming is how these flaws particularly endanger adolescent pitchers aged 11-18 undergoing physical changes. Dr. McGovern contrasts injured pitchers with Aroldis Chapman, who despite unconventional arm action, maintains healthy mechanics through proper sequencing and downhill acceleration. The episode underscores that functional movement capabilities must precede pitching mechanics for arm health.

Ready to protect your arm or your player's future? Visit VelocityRx.org to learn more about the Tommy John formula and access virtual training options that prioritize both performance and long-term health. Your pitching career might depend on understanding these critical biomechanical principles.

Support the show

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Send us a text

Support the show

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Send us a text

What happens when proper mechanics meet natural talent? Tyler Ruhl, a junior baseball standout from Virginia, joins Dr. Kevin McGovern to share his remarkable transformation story after implementing the VelocityRx training methodology.

Tyler recently completed a jaw-dropping 41 scoreless inning streak in high school competition while dramatically improving his arm health, recovery time, and overall performance. He takes us through his journey from being primarily a shortstop who occasionally pitched at 82 mph to becoming a versatile threat on the mound with significantly improved velocity, mechanics, and a strikeout count that has already surpassed his previous season's total.

The conversation offers fascinating insights into how movement patterns translate to game-changing results. Tyler describes his initial skepticism about the training approach, which evolved into complete buy-in as he experienced the benefits firsthand. Most impressive is his recent revelation that after throwing 70 pitches in a game, he felt capable of throwing 70 more the very next day – a level of recovery he'd never previously experienced.

Beyond pitching improvements, Tyler reveals how the training has elevated his performance across multiple positions, boosting his infield throwing velocity from 85 to 89 mph and his catching velocity from 79 to 84 mph in just months. For parents and coaches of young athletes, this episode provides compelling evidence that focusing on proper mechanics and movement patterns can simultaneously improve performance, prevent injury, and extend playing careers.

Want to learn how your young athlete can experience similar transformations? Subscribe to the VelocityRx podcast and visit our website to discover how our training methodologies are revolutionizing player development at all levels of baseball.

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The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Send us a text

A 10-year-old pitcher experiences two elbow fractures within months despite completing "traditional" physical therapy. What went wrong? In this eye-opening case study, Dr. Clay Hammons reveals the startling findings from a comprehensive evaluation that the standard medical approach completely missed.

When this young athlete walked into the clinic, he demonstrated severe limitations that made him fundamentally "not fit to throw a baseball" – 75% restriction in spine mobility, zero degrees of ankle dorsiflexion (should be 10-15°), scapular dysfunction, and an inability to perform a basic squat. Most shocking? These problems were completely overlooked during his previous rehabilitation.

The conversation unveils a revolutionary approach to treating baseball injuries by addressing the entire kinetic chain rather than focusing on the painful area. Within just two weeks of targeted interventions addressing his spine, ankles, and movement patterns, this young pitcher showed remarkable improvements without a single exercise directed at his elbow.

Dr. McGovern and Dr. Hammons discuss how the "cult of velocity" in modern baseball has abandoned proper mechanics for arm-dominant slinging, leading to the paradox of pitchers throwing fewer innings than ever while suffering more catastrophic injuries. They challenge the common misconception that pitching injuries are inevitable, emphasizing that proper assessment can identify and correct risk factors before they lead to injury.

Perhaps the most powerful insight comes from a simple question posed to the young athlete: "Is your arm the engine or the caboose when throwing a baseball?" His incorrect answer – like most youth pitchers – reveals a fundamental misunderstanding that puts countless young arms at risk.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or healthcare provider working with throwing athletes, this episode will forever change how you think about baseball injuries and prevention. The arm doesn't have to be sacrificed on the altar of performance – with the right approach, safety and effectiveness can coexist.

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The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

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Chris O'Leary, known online as "The Pain Guy," joins Dr. Kevin McGovern to expose what they call "the velocity cult" - a dangerous trend in baseball pitching mechanics that has created an epidemic of arm injuries.

Drawing from twenty years of research, O'Leary meticulously breaks down why techniques like the "inverted W," "Tommy John twist," and what he terms "flat arm syndrome" are destroying pitchers' arms across baseball. Through compelling visual analysis of pitchers from Nolan Ryan to Justin Verlander to Spencer Strider, he demonstrates how modern pitching mechanics have shifted dramatically away from sustainable, powerful movements toward dangerous shortcuts that prioritize immediate velocity gains over career longevity.

The conversation reveals troubling industry dynamics, including how popular training programs market techniques known to cause injuries, how parents unwittingly sign injury waivers without informed consent, and how financial interests throughout baseball incentivize problematic approaches. O'Leary doesn't just identify problems - he offers clear guidance on what healthy mechanics actually look like, emphasizing that proper pitching involves using the entire body rather than generating force primarily through the arm.

For parents, coaches, and anyone concerned about the future of pitching, this episode provides rare insight into why we're seeing unprecedented rates of Tommy John surgery and what can be done to reverse this alarming trend. The solution, ironically, might involve less coaching rather than more - allowing natural, sustainable mechanics to develop rather than forcing dangerous positions that the body instinctively avoids.

Ready to help save arms and extend careers? Share this episode, subscribe to VelocityRx, and join the movement toward safer, more effective pitching mechanics.

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The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

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Youth baseball pitching injuries have reached epidemic levels as parents and coaches are being misled by velocity-focused training programs utilizing weighted balls and dangerous techniques.

• 50% of Tommy John surgeries now occur in youth players
• Weighted ball programs target children as young as 11 years old
• Independent studies show 25% injury rates with these training methods
• Hall of Fame pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Pedro Martinez threw hard without these injuries
• Current MLB pitchers are experiencing unprecedented injury rates
• Proper mechanics and command are more important than raw velocity
• Many position players now needing Tommy John surgery
• Data-driven approach removes human evaluation from baseball
• College recruiters should look beyond velocity to find complete pitchers
• Proper mechanics and command are more important than raw velocity

If you want to protect your child's arm, avoid weighted ball training completely. Focus on proper mechanics, command, and the mental aspects of pitching that actually translate to success on the mound.

Support the show

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Send us a text

Step into the world of professional baseball with this engaging episode that tackles the pressing issue of injury prevention. We dive deep into the alarming rates of injuries plaguing Major League Baseball and what it means for players, teams, and fans. With expert Jason Collin joining our hosts, we uncover shocking insights into the current state of player health management. Why can teams riddled with injury not find effective solutions despite employing countless specialists? This episode challenges listeners to rethink everything they know about training, arm care, and injury prevention.

Explore the innovative Kinetic Arm, which offers potential relief for pitchers by stabilizing their shoulders and promoting better mechanics. We also discuss how outdated assessment processes and flawed methodologies leave players vulnerable to re-injury. From personal anecdotes to expert analysis, our guests invite listeners to reflect on accountability in professional sports and the importance of holistic approaches to athletic training. Join us for this eye-opening dialogue as we seek practical solutions to keep our athletes healthy and performing at their best. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review!

Support the show

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.