Motor preferences are an exciting new addition to the Baseball world, providing invaluable insights into approaching each player individually.

This innovation is sure to have a significant impact on player development in the future.

However, with new things come growing pains, and I see these challenges daily on social media.

Everyone is talking about motor preferences these days and seems to think they’re an instant expert/specialist in the field without truly being informed or knowing the ‘ins and outs’ of what motor preferences entail!

Incorrect or incomplete information leads to misunderstandings and the formation of misguided opinions.

For instance, during a conversation with a highly knowledgeable and very dedicated pitching expert, it came up that he was told Anterior Muscle Chain Dominant Pitchers are primarily Horizontal-oriented athletes, and Posterior Muscle Chain Dominant Pitchers are Vertical-oriented individuals.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡!

It’s crucial to emphasize that both Posterior muscle chain dominant athletes and Anterior muscle chain dominant athletes can be horizontal or vertical. They are not confined to one or the other.

Take, for example, the misconception that vertical orientation is associated with how it produces ground force.

The reality is that being either a Vertical or Horizontal individual is connected to brain function and how an individual perceives.

Horizontal individuals tend to think first and then move, while vertical-oriented people perceive first and then move.

So, when an individual is not in their ‘natural’ posture, they cannot process information correctly, and their ‘expression’ (movement) will be completely off. It’s challenging for the brain to understand ‘what’s going on’ when not in the right posture.

No amount of time in the gym or training can change this!

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐄!

One of the two absolutes in motor preferences is whether an individual is vertical or horizontal-oriented. This, combined with having a high or low mobile point, will determine the most energy-saving, efficient and healthy arm slot for pitchers (all throwers).

Embracing these insights will undoubtedly lead to enhanced player development and performance on the baseball field!