speed v. accuracy

I love it when coaches care more about location and movement than speed, for selfish reasons. My DD is 9 and low to mid 40s so she's no speed demon (though her high when we clocked her at her first lesson in Jan of last year was 33 I believe, so she's come a long way). Her location is awesome though. She can skate it over the corner (inside or outside, FINALLY - it took awhile to master inside) like nobody's business. She has great spin, can throw a drop and just learned a rise, which we plan to practice but probably not use until 12U since it seems unlikely to work from 35 feet.

Our spring team had a pitcher that was faster, probably on average 5 mph, but not as accurate. Their stats were very similar. She edged mine out on a couple, mine edged her out on a couple. Overall I'd say they were pretty evenly matched, just different strengths. I figure a team that has both types of pitchers can handle about any team - the ones who aren't scared of speed, you put in your girl with location. The teams that have a hard time catching up to speed, you put in your faster pitcher. Both things are important, both are good to have. Or you start your faster pitcher, once they get their timing down and start hitting, swap out for the slower pitcher w/ good location. Of course if a pitcher has both even better. But from what I could tell last season, being on a team that had 2 pitchers with different strengths, they both have their uses if a coach knows what to do with them.

Unless you have elite speed you better be able to hit spots or you will be lit up.

I do remember watching the Triple Crown 18U in Reno last summer. We sat behind the guy with the gun. The starting pitchers
were throwing 61-63 for the most part. The winning team brought in a relief pitcher who throw 68 on her first warm up pitch and was
66-69 on her pitches. It was tough to determine if she had accuracy but the pitches sounded pretty accurate.

I'm still at the early stages of my DD pitching. Love her pitching coach. Gives a 10 year old ways to think positive about what she is about to do and never wants her to think about not doing something when pitching. If that makes any sense. For a large portion of lessons, PC doesn't care where the ball goes. Get your form and mechanics correct and the control will come. She does spend parts of lessons on location, but wants DD to learn her control throwing hard. Some say learn control then speed. We are currently going with the mechanics first even though the control is hit and miss at times. Again, we are new at this and like the direction and results so far.

Just like most things, I think you need to tailor the instruction to the individual. Speed before accuracy.... Accuracy before speed.... Just teach them how to pitch and both will come with time.

My coaching career began as a rec ball coach. One of the assistants had a DD that pitched, so he spent most of his time with the pitchers (with the exception of my DD). He preached speed first constantly. During games, the other pitchers would tend to walk hitter after hitter after hitter. At some point they would ultimately switch to my DD to finish out the games. Happened more times than not. Eventually every one of those other pitchers switched to other positions because they became so frustrated with their pitching. I am not saying that philosophy cannot be successful, just suggesting that some caution be used.

eagle teach DD how to pitch right. As riseball said mechanics are the key. She'll get faster and more accurate with repeatable mechanics.

I wish I had taken DD to a PC when she was 9 and learning how to pitch. When we played 10U rec she did pretty well but it was all just on
talent. I worked her to throw strikes rather than learn to pitch. After playing all-stars and they TB she didn't want to go back and learn how to pitch again and became a regular player. She had the work ethic and ability to be good, I just didn't know any better.

My daughter pitches and she's not a speed demon, but she has great command and control.. She's in her recruiting season and she has quite a few schools following her. The number one comment she gets from most coaches is about her presence on the mound and her command/control. My husband believes that speed will get you noticed, but command/control will get you recruited.

riseball said:

The trinity of softball pitching is command, movement, and velocity in that order. To your point all 3 are a product of great mechanics. Great mechanics are not developed through drills, but rather through very deliberate, focused practice and a high level of accountability. Very few incorporate such things into a practice session. A bullpen session typically consists of some pointless often unproductive drills and then on to some random full motion throwing at a tempo that is anything but what actually happens in a game. Instead focus on placement of a properly rotating fastball to the pitchers throwing hand side of the plate. Until you can put it in a teacup at the bottom, corner of the zone you do not move on until you have mastered the fundamentals and have a solid foundation. Change the practice regimen and you will see a full spectrum increase in performance.

Click to expand...

Agree ... I used the words.... Spot, Spin, Speed & in that order. JMHO

My DD started with PC after initially being introduced to he pitching. Then I found this site and looked for someone to teach IR. found it with some help from here. PC doesn't dismiss control, just doesn't stress it unless mechanics are good. It can feel like a chicken and egg thing. More success at 10 with control and you get more pitching time. Control with bad mechanics is sometimes rewarded in games. Tough to find the happy zone while they are learning. I know when her form is good, her control is good. thanks for the advice. Realizing more and more that it truly is a marathon.

Thank you all. I believe I am with the prevailing sentiments here. I would like to add one thing, which TamiAz commented on, which is that pitchers who have control of their pitches also have control of themselves. And this confidence in themselves leads to control of the game. I tell my players there are only 2 out 3 possible players who own the plate. The ump for sure. And then it's either the pitcher or the batter but not both. Thanks again.

Spot is hitting "a" corner... in or out
Spin is hitting both corners with same pitch, & up & down
Speed is using lotz of different inflections... starting with CU