May 29, 2026

Do pitching biomechanics and performance differ between the windup and stretch?

9 minutes

In baseball, pitchers have two ways they can deliver the ball. They can either go out of the stretch position or the windup. Deciding which delivery to use may be personal preference, but it can also be dictated by game situations. The question becomes, are there benefits to using one method over the other? In this episode, we dive into the topic by way of a research study published in the Human Kinetics Journals and the Journal of Applied Biomechanics. Listen along and learn what the research says.

Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS

Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).

Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.

As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

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