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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.

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Ever wondered why so many young pitchers are suffering devastating elbow injuries? Dr. Kevin McGovern pulls back the curtain on the rehabilitation process with a fascinating real-time coaching session featuring 15-year-old Aiden, who's battling back from multiple elbow injuries.

The episode reveals a revolutionary approach to arm care that challenges conventional wisdom. Rather than extended rest periods, we witness the power of daily throwing practice—with either baseballs or towels—combined with unconventional methods like basketball shooting to maintain elbow extension. Dr. McGovern methodically breaks down what he calls the "Tommy John formula"—three critical mechanical flaws destroying young pitchers' arms: drifting forward too early, dragging the back leg, and improper glove-hand technique.

Through Aiden's transformation, viewers gain practical insights into proper mechanics that not only prevent injury but enhance performance. By maintaining weight back longer and releasing closer to home plate, pitchers create what baseball insiders call a "heavy ball" effect—making an 80mph fastball feel like 95mph to hitters. This case study provides a sobering reality check for parents and coaches: mechanical flaws aren't just performance issues; they're ticking time bombs for young arms. The rehabilitation timeline presented offers a realistic perspective on recovery, debunking quick-fix solutions and emphasizing patient, consistent work on mechanics.

What's happening in youth baseball today? Overcoaching and poor mechanics are creating an epidemic of arm injuries. Watch this episode to understand the warning signs, learn proper rehabilitation protocols, and discover how daily work on sound mechanics can save your young pitcher's arm—and perhaps their baseball future. Visit velocityrx.org to learn more about preventing Tommy John injuries and keeping young arms healthy through proper 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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The alarming rate of arm injuries in baseball isn't just bad luck—it's the predictable outcome of fundamentally flawed mechanical approaches dominating the sport today. In this eye-opening conversation, Chris O'Leary returns to explain why modern pitchers can't stay healthy and what can be done about it.

O'Leary presents compelling visual evidence of what he calls "Flat Arm Syndrome"—a timing problem where the pitching arm is parallel to the ground (not up) when the body begins rotating, creating devastating stress on the elbow and shoulder. Through detailed comparisons of classic pitchers like early-career Verlander, Nolan Ryan, and Tom Seaver with today's injured stars, he demonstrates how modern mechanics have fundamentally changed for the worse.

The discussion doesn't just identify problems but explains their origins. The "Inverted W," "Tommy John twist," and other mechanical shortcuts promoted by velocity programs are systematically breaking down pitchers at all levels. Perhaps most troubling is how these flawed mechanics are being taught to young athletes as the path to success, creating a pipeline of arm injuries waiting to happen.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is O'Leary's predictive track record. He's correctly identified injury risks in numerous pitchers before they broke down, including Sandy Alcantara and Spencer Schwellenbach. These aren't coincidences but the result of understanding how mechanical flaws inevitably lead to physical breakdown.

The solution isn't complicated training protocols or exotic conditioning—it's about returning to fundamental athletic movements that work with the body's natural biomechanics rather than against them. As O'Leary puts it, "There's no free lunch" in developing velocity; sustainable speed must be built through patience and sound mechanics rather than shortcuts.

Ready to understand baseball's injury epidemic and protect the arms of the next generation? Listen now and discover why the difference between healthy and injured pitchers often comes down to just a few critical mechanical distinctions that anyone can learn to identify.

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.