Today’s podcast is with Devin Hayes.  Devin is the Pitching Performance Coordinator with the Detroit Tigers.  He has worked in both baseball coach and physical preparation roles at Middlebury College, and has worked in the private sector, training athletes from high school to major league All-Star level.  Devin currently plays for the Irish National Baseball Team and has included javelin throwing in his athletic repertoire.

When we learn skills in one area of human performance, we can become more understanding of them all.  A key area of development in human performance is found in the realm of overhand throwing.  By understanding the rotational and linear aspects of the throwing pattern, we can not only achieve better throwing results, but we also gain awareness of an important element of athletic function in general.

On today’s episode, Devin shares his experiences transitioning from baseball pitching to javelin throwing.  He gives the lessons learned from various forms and constraints of overhead throwing, and digs into the elastic and rotational aspects of pitching.  A main point of discussion is that of letting athletes find their path versus when and how to intervene in coaching, and finally Devin chats about relaxation techniques, and shaking movements to enhance throwing performance.

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Timestamps and Main Points

3:20
Transition from Baseball Pitching to Javelin Throwing and the Initial Challenges Faced

8:38
Differences between the Motion and Arm Positioning in Baseball and Javelin Throwing, and the Influence of Natural Feel and Rotation

11:39
Exploring the Concepts of Movement Transferability from Pitching to Other Sports and the Role of Track and Field Training

17:01
Application of Motor Learning Principles in Pitching and the Impact of Sprinting on Musculature

20:06
Experimentation with Linear and Rotational Movements in Training and the Progression from Coil to Clear Drills in Pitching

22:05
Exploration of Movement Transferability from Other Track and Field Events to Pitching and the Complexity of Transition Skills

29:13
Self-organization and the Role of Spine in Throwing Motion, as well as the Influence of Side Bending in Throwing Athletes

33:37
Exploration of Arm Slots and Movement Solutions in Throwing, and the Value of Trying New Approaches in Baseball Throwing

41:38
The Impact of Lever Length on Throwing Velocity and the Importance of Coaching Stages and Approaches in Athletic Development

54:12
Importance of Building a Relationship and Adapting Coaching Style, Effective Communication in Coaching, and the Use of Entertainment in Learning

59:16
Creating Levels and Containers for Learning and Development and the Expectation of Instruction in Private Sector Settings

1:02:10
Discussion on Different Types of Athletes and the Importance of Reputation and Proof in Self-Organization

1:06:08
The Ability to Switch Between Competition Mode and Normal Mode, Withholding Energy, and the Importance of Staying Low in Athletic Movements

1:08:56
Exploration of Turn and Burn in Dunk Takeoffs,