The Dangers of Layback: Why Pitchers Get Hurt, ft. Jason Colleran

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Stop stretching the shoulder to a place it can’t control. We dig into the myth of “layback” and explain why forcing passive end range is a fast track to labrum wear, elbow pain, and shortened careers—especially for growing athletes. With inventor and coach Jason Colleran of Kinetic Arm, we unpack what actually builds safe velocity: thoracic extension, scapular depression, and pec extensibility that create a stable power position, plus foot and hip mechanics that unlock rotation without requiring the shoulder to bear the brunt of the load.

We break down the difference between range of motion and available joint position, why timing and center of mass matter more than still photos, and how a simple change, such as externally rotating the back foot, can open “layback” from below rather than yanking from above. Jason shares how constraint-based training and the Kinetic Arm sleeve provide proprioceptive feedback, limit harmful passive extremes, and support post-op throwers rebuilding horizontal abduction and external rotation. We also focus on the scapulohumeral rhythm, avoiding upper trap dominance, and offloading stressed tissues, such as the supraspinatus, by improving the first degrees of abduction and upward rotation.

Along the way, we call out the training culture that confuses volume with intention and protocols with precision. Maxing in passive ranges, cookie-cutter rehab, and viral cues that ignore structure all drive the injury epidemic. The fix is simple, not easy: assess daily, define a clear goal for each drill, align lines of force with anatomy, and teach athletes to own mid-range positions before they chase speed. When the chain is set—foot to hip to trunk to scapula—the arm stops compensating and velocity becomes a byproduct of efficiency, not a gamble with connective tissue.

If you care about throwing harder and longer without sacrificing your shoulder or elbow, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a coach or parent who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest myth you want us to tackle next.

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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.