Analysis of the form in a series of photos! The right wing of the Cy Young Award this season…Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s “Javelin Throwing Method” has mega-evolved!

The Secret of Perfect Pitching

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (27) of the Dodgers is evolving in a mega way. This season’s great success has been praised by Takashi Kawamura, an expert in motion analysis and professor of physical education at the University of Tsukuba.

Yamamoto is famous for his “javelin throw,” in which he throws with his entire body, starting from his left leg, which is propped up on the ground. He is probably the closest to winning the Cy Young Award, the highest honor for a pitcher in the majors.

As the absolute ace of the Samurai Japan team, Yamamoto pitched a perfect game in the first WBC game against Taiwan on March 6, allowing no hits or runs until the middle of the third inning. Let’s listen to Kawamura’s commentary while comparing photos of his form from the last WBC (2011) and this season.

(1) Both legs are slightly crossed.

Compared to the form of the previous WBC, the left leg is facing the back screen. (2) The left leg is facing toward the back screen compared to the form of the previous WBC.

The left leg, which is normally raised high by right-handed pitchers, remains lowered. This is because he carries more weight on both legs.

In this season’s form, the lower half of the body is rotating sideways, and the right shoulder appears to be slightly lower.

In the form of the previous WBC, both shoulders are level with the ground because the body is moving parallel toward the catcher.

The point of the first movement (1) is the legs. Compared to the form of the previous WBC, this season’s form has the left leg pointing slightly toward the back screen. I’m twisting my lower body to the side to accumulate power. The right shoulder is lower than the left shoulder, probably due to the twist of the body. On the other hand, in the form of the previous WBC, the body does not twist so much, but moves straight parallel to the catcher’s direction. That is why, in (2), both shoulders are level with the ground.

In the current season’s form, the center of gravity remains on the right leg, so the logo on the chest faces the back screen.

The form of the previous WBC was straight toward the catcher. The body is moving in a straight line toward the catcher, so the upper body is slightly forward.

The effect of the horizontal rotation is also seen in the pitching style of the last WBC (2011).

The logo of the chest in this season’s form is slightly toward the back screen compared to the form in the last WBC. This is probably evidence that the center of gravity remains on the right leg by twisting the body sideways. The only thing that worries me is the distance between his head and his right hand, which grips the ball. The longer the distance, the farther the hand travels and the more strain it puts on the arm. This could cause an injury.

Core strength and efficiency

4) This season’s form is not only with the arms, but also with the upper body.

The player is transmitting greater power to the ball by flexing not only his arms but also his entire upper body.

The form of the last WBC was faster than this season’s form, so the left foot is slightly bent into the ground.

The most notable thing in ④ is his left foot on the mound.

The form of the last WBC is more embedded in the ground compared to this season’s form. This is because his center of gravity is shifted to his left leg earlier by shifting his weight straight toward the catcher. In this season’s form, the left leg does not bite into the ground as much because the center of gravity remains on the right leg to build up power. The upper body movement is also unique. While most pitchers flex their arms like a whip, Yamamoto throws with his entire upper body like a javelin thrower. More power is transferred to the ball, not just from the arms. This movement is a result of the strength of his torso.

(5) The important left leg thrust.

This season’s form uses the gluteus maximus muscle well and the buttocks are raised because of the smooth weight transfer.

In the form of the previous WBC, the force from the ground is directly transmitted to the body by the protruding left leg.

(5) Also, Yamamoto’s characteristics are evident.

Normally, the knee is bent to absorb the impact from the ground as the pitcher steps forward. Yamamoto, however, throws without bending his knees and with his left leg thrust out. While the force from the ground is transmitted directly to the entire body, the impact is so strong that the lower body may break down. Yamamoto has a flexible hip joint that allows him to transfer the strong force from the ground to his upper body. Especially in his form this season, his hips protrude and rise up. This is because he can effectively use his gluteus maximus muscle.

Yamamoto is not a big man (178 cm in height), but he is able to move effectively in the WBC because of his lean and efficient body movements.

Yamamoto is no longer just an ace for Japan, but for the majors. As long as he doesn’t get injured, he will be a powerhouse this season.

The world-class Yamamoto continues to evolve.

From the March 27/April 3, 2026 issue of FRIDAY