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Wrong throwing techniques can cause injury for life
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THE THROW is central to fielding in cricket, and one of the frustrating mysteries is why some fielders have a strong throw while others do not. Clearly Popeye-like arms are not the whole answer, or a wiry guy like Glenn Mc Grath would never be such a potent outfielder. Another puzzle is why some throwers rarely injure their shoulders, while others seem to be stuck in a vicious cycle of feeble throwing and shoulder injuries. Perhaps technique has something to do with it and the best available evidence suggests that good throwing begins in childhood.
Fault lies herein
Here is how bad throwers start out. Some kids substitute sheer throwing effort for good throwing mechanics, in much the same way that some bowlers substitute excessive effort at delivery for a smooth run up and rhythm. They over-use the arms and shoulders to generate force and soon it becomes a habit. In later years, when the coach tells them to develop a more powerful throw, they head off to the gym to bulk up their arms and shoulders. In childhood, this throwing technique can injure the growing ends of the elbow joint. In adulthood, the shoulder suffers.
Here is what good throwing technique looks like. Good throwers use the whole body, especially the trunk, to generate force. They do not just stand up straight and throw, but they bend the trunk at the waist and make sure the shoulder and hip point towards the target. The body is moving forward, with the front foot heading for the target, and when the trunk flexes at the waist, it brings the abdomen closer to the knee.
Shoulder injuries are very common among professional athletes with bad throwing technique, and this is partly because the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. The rotator cuff, the tendinous attachment of a group of muscles that stretch from the upper back to the top of the arm bone, is particularly vulnerable to throwing actions that depend excessively on the arms and shoulder to generate force because the sudden acceleration and deceleration of flinging efforts can tear the cuff.
To improve throwing power and prevent injuries, focus on technique first and muscle strength later. During warm-ups, increase throwing distance gradually. Concentrate on building up the entire body, especially the upper half, rather than just the arms and forearms. The back, chest and abdomen muscles are very important for throwing. Ignore them at your peril.
RAJIV M.
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