How the NewtForce Instrumented Pitching Mound Fueled Velocity Development: The Jackson Estes Story
- Zach Day
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 18
For College Coaches Who Want to Build Pitchers, Not Just Recruit Them.
Last fall, Jackson Estes was a solid lefty with some upside who was headed to Crowder (JUCO). He had a big frame and sat 86–88 mph. Coaches saw potential. He had tools, but he needed a jump to go D1.
Fast forward five months — Jackson took the mound for his first conference start and touched 96 mph. That turned heads to say the least. Ultimately it led to a game-changing Division I offer from University of Tennessee. But the story started before the radar gun lit up.
This is what happens when a pitcher brings the talent and drive — and a coach invests in development, leverages real-time feedback, and empowers that athlete to do the work. Progress isn’t just measured. It’s tracked, personalized, and turned into results.
The Challenge for College Pitching Coaches: Time & Transfer Pressure
If you’re coaching at the college level, you already know:
You don’t have time to hope a cue works.
You’re judged by how quickly you can develop your staff.
The portal, NIL, and roster caps have made it harder than ever to plan.
And you're likely asking yourself: Can I really develop arms fast enough to compete?
Jackson’s story shows that you can — with the right pitching development tools, clear feedback, and a system that works.
Jackson Before Starting with us
Coaches Want Data They Can Act On: What We Saw from our Instrumented Pitching Mound
When Jackson walked into the NewtForce Integrated Pitching Lab, we weren’t looking for a miracle. We were looking for opportunity.
With insights from our ground force data (3 axis) synced to high speed video, it became clear: his energy wasn’t transferring efficiently. His Clawback time — a key metric we track for deceleration — was way too high. His breaks needed work.
Clawback Time: 0.57s — slow, inefficient, leaking power
Lower Half Pitching Development: 3 Phases that Unlocked Velocity
We didn’t throw the kitchen sink at him. The architect behind this plan? Will Barker, NewtForce’s Director of R&D — and he’s quickly becoming a leading mind in lower half pitching development. His ability to action the insights to impact development is helping every one of our partners at NewtForce. He built a simple development plan grounded in Jackson’s data and intention with every rep.
Phase 1: Assessment + Plan
Will quickly identified Jackson’s deceleration as an opportunity. The focus wasn’t generic strength, but teaching the body how to apply braking force. He started with specific drill work targeting two adaptations:
Eccentric loading of the lead leg
Deceleration of the pelvis rotationally
Phase 2: Cue + Feel + Results
Having the force data synced to video, Jackson saw how each rep changed the graph. That clarity led to better feel — and a tighter connection between what he felt and what worked. Better executed reps of targeted drills led to faster results.
Adjusted drills using the insights from the mound
Simple cues based on live feedback
Phase 3: Blending in Drills
Blending in drills with throwing a baseball as Clawback time dropped and Jackson moved more cleanly.
Worked blending the drills into his mound work.
What made it work? Will wasn’t guessing. He built a plan grounded in data and tailored to how Jackson moved. Jackson saw the change (video and data). He felt it. And most importantly, he believed it.
Winter Bullpen
3 Months after working on his lower half with us.
Velocity and Movement Gains: The Measurable Outcome
Metric | October '24 | March '25 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Clawback Time | 0.57s | 0.25s | -56% faster |
FB Velo (max) | 88 mph | 95 mph | +7 mph |
From a quiet JUCO commit to a Tennessee signee — a major jump fueled by real progress of the lower half.
This didn’t just change a season. It changed a career.
Why This Matters
Velocity without efficient movement often leads to injury. Research shows the lower body is vital for force generation during the throwing motion — and any deficits in strength, endurance, or control directly impact the arm and a pitcher’s ability to maintain clean, repeatable mechanics. — Wilk et al., JOSPT
Jackson’s development wasn’t just about throwing harder — it was about moving better. With real-time feedback and targeted lower-half training, he became more efficient and reduced unnecessary stress on the arm.
Studies from ASMI and Wilk, Meister, and Andrews support this approach: mechanical inefficiencies increase injury risk, while improved movement quality helps pitchers stay healthier and perform longer.
And the upside is real: Each 1 MPH gain = ~2% boost in strikeout rate (K%)
Jackson Said It Best:
“Thank you guys, highly recommend for anyone!!”
He trusted the process. He committed to the work. And now, he’s walking into an SEC program with velocity, confidence, and clarity.
Conference Opener - 5IP, 13K's, 2BB, up to 96mph.
If You're a College Coach...
Ask yourself:
How many pitchers do I have that just need the right unlock?
What would it mean to build one Jackson per year instead of chasing a transfer?
You're the hero in this story. We just give you the tools.
When you have real-time data, efficient movement, and clear feedback, improvement doesn’t take years — it starts in weeks. Jackson’s big velo gains came over months, but the key movement changes showed up fast.
Let’s Build Your Own Jackson
We’ll help you find a spot for our mound, make sense of the data, and develop your pitchers faster. Development doesn’t have to be a guessing game — it can be measurable, repeatable, and fast.
We’ll show you how.
Ready to see what ground force data reveals about your pitchers? Make the ask. Show a donor they’re not just supporting your program — they’re impacting lives. We can help.
Want to dig deeper first?