Oblique injuries have become a major problem for pitchers at all levels of baseball. Over the past decade, these injuries have skyrocketed, sidelining players for weeks or even months. With today’s advanced motion capture and biomechanical analysis, you’d expect injury rates to decrease—so why are we seeing the opposite?

The Overlooked Link Between Pitching Mechanics and Oblique Strains

One key factor behind the rise in oblique injuries is the modern obsession with hip/shoulder separation. Since around 2015, high-speed motion capture has led many coaches and trainers to focus heavily on rotational power and sequencing. While this approach benefits some pitchers, it’s a serious injury risk for others.

The critical but often ignored difference? Natural motor preferences.

High vs. Low Mobile Point: The Key to Injury Prevention

Every pitcher moves differently. Some rely on a High Mobile Point, meaning their mechanics naturally involve more hip/shoulder separation. For them, rotational emphasis may not be a major issue.

Others, however, have a Low Mobile Point—meaning their bodies are built for a more connected movement between the hips and shoulders. Forcing separation in these pitchers puts extreme strain on the oblique muscles and spine, leading to overuse injuries and muscle strains.

Ignoring these differences and pushing a one-size-fits-all mechanical approach is a direct cause of the rising oblique injury epidemic.

Why Today’s Training Methods Are Making Things Worse

The issue isn’t just mechanics—it’s how pitchers are trained. Many modern pitching programs treat hip/shoulder separation as a universal must-have, without considering individual motor profiles. This approach is not only ineffective but also dangerous.

Key factors contributing to the surge in oblique injuries:

• Forcing extreme separation in pitchers whose bodies are not designed for it.
• Neglecting natural movement patterns in favor of rigid mechanical models.
• Misusing technology, treating it as a rulebook instead of a guide.

The Real Solution: Individualized Movement Strategies

Rather than applying the same training techniques to every pitcher, coaches, trainers, and front office personnel must recognize the importance of motor preferences and individualized movement patterns. Understanding whether a pitcher operates with a High or Low Mobile Point should shape their training—not a generic focus on separation.

To prevent oblique injuries, here’s what needs to change:

• Technology should guide adjustments, not dictate mechanics.
• Training programs must be customized to fit each pitcher’s natural movement profile.
• Biomechanics should be used to optimize efficiency, not force unnatural movements.

A Smarter Future for Pitching Development

The baseball world must move beyond outdated, cookie-cutter training models. By recognizing that not all pitchers benefit from the same mechanics, we can cut down on oblique injuries and keep more pitchers healthy and performing at their best.

Want to learn more?

Explore these related topics:

• Are We Creating More Injuries With More Tech? A Deep Dive Into Pitcher Health
• Why Pitching Oblique Injuries Are More Common Than Ever—And How to Stop Them

Final Thought

Technology and data are powerful tools, but they must be applied correctly. By prioritizing natural motor preferences, we can develop safer, more effective training strategies—helping pitchers maximize performance while avoiding the growing epidemic of oblique injuries.