9 year old DD learning to pitch

Hoping for some feedback and drill advice to teach consistency. She is an absolute beginner, hoping to get her ready for 10U rec ball.

thanks

there are a few good pitches mixed in It looks to me like she doesn't always square her right hip during release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcvOR8ZH6o

Video is private

sorry, try now

thanks

stickpile39 said:

Hoping for some feedback and drill advice to teach consistency. She is an absolute beginner, hoping to get her ready for 10U rec ball. thanks

Click to expand...

She's got what I call... "the spit" Get a complete knowledge of the Rules, slow down to every pitch being legal. Get your self a bucket, and start learning to throw it back to her underhanded off the bucket. You can progress together, and you'll be more understanding of the degree of difficulty. Keep it Fun :{))

Don't expect alot and keep it fun!!!! I can tell you that a pitching coach at this age is pretty vital to get her started on the right track. My daughter has been pitching less than a year (age 9) and the distance she has gone from last June is unbelievable. Again, have patience and most of all "praise the crap out of her".

Welcome to DFP and to pitching! Do you happen to have any video from the side?

Ken

It is not unusual for a child her age to have a number of problems.

First, there is no point in her doing a full motion. So, have her get open, take the ball over head, and then throw. She shouldn't move her feet.

It looks to me like she doesn't always square her right hip during release.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean, but she should be generally open at release. That is, the hips are generally on a line between the catcher and CF. "Closed" means that the hips are on a line between 1B and 3B.

thanks all

It looks to me like she doesn't always square her right hip during release.

What I mean is look at the difference of her right hip on pitch one and pitch two. I'm thinking pitch one is proper?

I know we need to slow it all down and work on things like not moving the feet and developing the arm motion properly, but alas this is part of the keeping it fun part. She has more interest and a better attitude if I let her pitch fully as well. But I get the point for sure.

As sluggers stated, there should be no conscious squaring of of the hips at any point in the motion. There is an old rec ball teaching like this, but should be avoided. Although full motion is fun, please make sure she has the basics down so she isn't ingraining mechanics that will hurt her in the long term--both physically and effectively.

A video from the side will give us a better look at her form and the advice you get from there could take her a long way.

stickpile39 said:

thanks all

It looks to me like she doesn't always square her right hip during release.

What I mean is look at the difference of her right hip on pitch one and pitch two. I'm thinking pitch one is proper?

I know we need to slow it all down and work on things like not moving the feet and developing the arm motion properly, but alas this is part of the keeping it fun part. She has more interest and a better attitude if I let her pitch fully as well. But I get the point for sure.

Click to expand...

You have alot of choices to make... To take the task literally, "Teach her to Pitch" your first criteria is to have her be able to do it legally. Get a copy of the ASA Rules, and follow them to the tee. Regardless of Styles, pre-motion, ect... it has to be legal in the Umps eyes. By doing the sequence that is required to accomplish that, you will be on your way. Thats what I ment by slowing down... as you read the rules, you will see time allotments required. Now you have a patten to practice, and it will not do you any good to practice anyother way. If she can do it legally, then you have taught her to pitch. Teaching her to be a good one, can be added under the same umbrella.

For fun start by getting a blow up punching bag to stand in as batter. :{)) Bozo is best !!!