Push-Off – Pitching
Also known as: drive off the rubber, leg drive
The push-off is the initial drive of the pivot foot against the pitching rubber, converting leg power into forward body momentum at the start of the windmill delivery.
Velocity in fast-pitch pitching comes more from lower-body drive and core rotation than arm strength alone. A strong push-off launches the hips toward the plate first, loading the kinetic chain before the arm circle completes. A weak push-off forces the pitcher to arm the ball, which costs velocity and increases injury risk. The push-off must stay legal — foot dragging is permitted, but replanting (crow-hopping) is not.
Example
The pitcher drives hard off the rubber, hips leading, and the momentum carries through the windmill for maximum legal velocity.
Related terms
- WindmillThe windmill is the underhand fast-pitch delivery in which the arm makes a full circle before release, generating the velocity that defines the game.
- Crow HopA crow hop is an illegal pitching motion in which the pitcher replants the pivot foot after the initial push-off, effectively relaunching and gaining an unfair advantage in distance or momentum.
- Arm CircleThe arm circle is the full 360° rotation of the pitching arm around the shoulder joint that defines the fast-pitch windmill delivery and stores elastic energy for release.
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