A knee drill, specifically in the context of pitching, is a training exercise where a pitcher focuses on upper body separation and controlled movements while kneeling, typically finishing with a throw.
Based on the provided video transcript, here's a breakdown:
- Purpose: It helps pitchers feel the separation between their upper and lower body. It also promotes controlled movements during the pitching motion.
- Execution: The pitcher kneels and goes through a modified pitching motion. The emphasis is on keeping the chest over the opposite throwing-side leg and feeling the separation in the upper body. The drill concludes with a throw.
- Benefit: By isolating the upper body mechanics, the pitcher can improve their control and accuracy when they eventually incorporate their legs into the full pitching motion.
In essence, the knee drill helps develop a more efficient and powerful pitching motion by emphasizing proper upper body mechanics while minimizing lower body influence initially.