12U Pitcher

Guys, thanks for all the input. I see a lot of the same things that you do in regards to her foot dragging and the need for her to get up on her toe. This anchor foot has been an issue since the beginning of time for her and hopefully one day the light bulb goes off and we can resolve it once and for all. We have been trying to work on the whole front side resistance issue and it has gotten better but still needs work. I don't see her falling through the pitch anymore so she is getting better at staying back. Also trying to work on the "arm whipping" motion and just staying relaxed. She is not a "big kid" by any means (5'2 I believe) but she is quite strong. Over the winter we have fixed several things like not swimming the glove hand and no more beating our thigh with the glove. So there is progress being made and that's really all I can ask for. Thank you all for the input and I look forward to re-posting more video at a later date with the improvements.

She's 12u. 2001 or 2000 birth year? I'm curious how fast she was pitching in the video (looks like she's throwing pretty hard). I have 3 pretty solid pitchers, most around 5'1 or 5'2. The fastest one is topping out around 52, while the others are still around 48. I have a fourth who is at 43 consistently - all 2001 age group.

fpCoach, she is a 2000 birth year, 2nd year 12U. She didn't get to pitch last year for her team (3 whole innings). They pitched all 2nd year 12U players who threw harder and were more consistent. The last real opportunity she had to pitch live in games was at 10U and she didn't get much time then either. We keep plugging away at it though. Its not how you start its how you finish. As for speed, she has hit low 50's several times now but we don't really dwell on that. Just try to keep the ball down in the strike zone and limit the walks. She is number 3 on her team and this team gives all 3 an opportunity to pitch. It also provides her with competition because it makes her work harder for her goals. Its more about development at this level if you ask me and this team is a great fit for her. Sounds like you have some live arms over there so keep up the good work and thanks for the responses.

Have her try to jump/leap a little higher to the point she would actually be illegal just to get the feel. It may help her if she does it without a ball so she's not thinking about anything else.

Ok, its been about 3 weeks since I last posted any video's and we are still plugging away at it. I am posting some updating video from 3/20 to see what the guru's think in regards to any improvements that have been made. We have been trying to concentrate on the back leg not being such an anchor by getting up on the toe more and driving through instead of dragging the side of the foot and collapsing the back leg. Still a work in progress, but I think its getting better. I really appreciate all the feedback. I figured I would use this thread so that there can be some stare and compare from the earlier videos which I used to start the thread.

Side view -- [video=youtube_share;ocrR489FB-k]http://youtu.be/ocrR489FB-k[/video]

I believe the first pitch she was throwing was a change-up and the second was a drop/fastball.

Back View -- [video=youtube_share;KVoOP3HIQKU]http://youtu.be/KVoOP3HIQKU[/video]

Front View -- [video=youtube_share;JMC5fh8Ny5o]http://youtu.be/JMC5fh8Ny5o[/video]

The back leg looks much better, but you need to work on the plant foot when landing asap. She is landing at a 90 degree angle to the power line. A 45 degree angle is the safest for the knee and ankle. She looks like she is going to roll her ankle.

Hello,
I was reading your thread and watching your daughter's video. My daughter drags her whole foot as well. How did you get your daughter to adjust? Also, my daughter lands 90 degrees any helpful hints to get her to land 45???
Thanks

BUBraves17 said:

Hello,
I was reading your thread and watching your daughter's video. My daughter drags her whole foot as well. How did you get your daughter to adjust? Also, my daughter lands 90 degrees any helpful hints to get her to land 45???
Thanks

Click to expand...

My DD's pitching coach tapes a tennis ball to the inside of her right foot to stop her turning her foot and dropping anchor during practice.

As for the 45 degree land this may help the OP as well. Work on a much higher knee on the stride and not turning until the knee comes up.

So it is hands and stride knee up - THEN turn - then everything comes down together. Do it slowly before trying it fast. My DD practices this by putting a pillow in front of her that she has to step over with her stride.

Look at about 0:11-0:12 in the below video. Look how high the knee is and that she hasn't started to turn yet. At 0:12-0:13 she kicks her stride leg towards the plate and the turn now starts and everything opens up.

[video=youtube_share;k5X86nD_WS4]http://youtu.be/k5X86nD_WS4[/video]

BTW in the video she is a little late with her arm coming up with the knee and she has a HUGE back swing and starting bend and she muscles the ball with her upper body and most people here might say her timing is off. But it all obviously worked for her as she was really successful with this motion. There are many ways to pitch successfully - there are some things she does I wouldn't teach but that doesn't make them wrong - just different.