Right arm throw action

[Jeff]

I have a question relating to the biomechanics of the right arm throw action as performed by a right arm swinger.

I have recently converted my swing to a "right arm swing" (ala Tomesello) that is based on a "stone skipping" action. During that process, I feel like I am throwing the right arm in a side-arm-underhand manner - exactly like I do when skipping stones.

My question - what is straightening my right elbow in this "stone skipping action"? HK defines the right arm straightening as being due to active muscle forces in a hitter, but I am not hitting when I perform a stone skipping throw. I am swinging my arm from my right shoulder and allowing the right elbow to eventually straighten in the latter part of the throw action. HK defines the right arm straightening in a swinger as being passive and due to the centrifugal force of the releasing clubshaft. But there is no clubshaft. or centrifugal force, in a stone skipping action - and yet the right elbow straightens. It would therefore appear to me that a stone skipping action (right arm swinging) involves an active straightening of the right elbow that is different to the phenomenon occurring in a hitter who applies radial force to the clubshaft (axe handle technique). What do you think?

Jeff.