During the preparatory phase for an underhand softball pitch, what occurs at the shoulder when the hand is drawn behind the body?

During the preparatory phase of an underhand softball pitch, as the hand is drawn behind the body, the shoulder undergoes hyperextension. Hyperextension refers to the movement of a joint beyond its normal range of motion, extending it further backward. In the context of pitching, this allows the shoulder to move past its neutral position, creating tension and preparing the muscles for the upcoming pitch. This movement is crucial for generating momentum and power as it enables the shoulder to store elastic potential energy, which is then released during the pitching motion.

Flexion would involve moving the arm forward towards the body, which is not the case when drawing the hand behind. Extension typically involves straightening a joint, while circumduction refers to the circular movement of a joint, neither of which accurately describes the shoulder action during this phase of the pitch. Hyperextension, therefore, is the correct term to describe the shoulder's movement as the arm is positioned behind the body in preparation for the underhand pitch.