Using the glove arm to increase speed and accuracy

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FJRGerry

Abby's Dad
Jan 23, 2009
202
0
Collegeville, PA
How important do you think proper use of the glove side arm is in increasing speed and accuracy? I have the feeling it's an often overlooked aspect of the pitching motion - at least with the younger (12U) girls. I see alot of girls barely lifting and dropping the glove, and/or extending it well off the target.

I teach my daughter to extend the glove shoulder high along with the throwing hand straight to the target at the beginning of the stride and to bring it down with force as the throwing arm continues its downward rotation through the release. I don't want her slapping her thigh, unless it's done lightly.

Thanks!
 
My DD went to a winter camp this past winter at Radford U (in VA), and they had them working on a drill with a ball in their glove hand (no glove on), and as they pitched the ball, throw the ball in their glove hand behind them at the same time, to work on using that hand/arm for additional torque.

I'm not endorsing the drill or criticizing it, but this post made me think of it. We haven't really tried it since then. It was hard for my DD to get the hang of.....
 
May 4, 2009
874
18
Baltimore
The glove is important for a number of reasons. If the glove is thrust out towards home plate and is pointed in that direction the body is more able to turn properly, there is better balance and it is easier to keep the arm moving in a good circle. Any other movements of the glove are counter productive and a cause for mechanical problems.
 

halskinner

Banned
May 7, 2008
2,681
0
Ever see a tightrope walker??? Ever notice that long pole they use for balance??

Same thing applies to the glove hand and arm. It is for balance during the stride.

The glove is SHOVED forward at your target as the ball hand comes up (it also helps open the shoulders). Then it is pulled back to the hip for more power and to still maintain balance as the throwing arm comes down and forward in the windmill circle.

To say that you drop the glove hand 'down' is not the best mechanics.

Shoved forward in a straight line and pulled back in a straight line.

Hal

Additional; "Shoved forward in a straight line and pulled back in a straight line" to the 'Holster' position. Good defensive position and the 'Balance' effect of that arm is kept close to the hip, just like the throwing arm.



WINNING FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
 
May 12, 2008
2,214
0
Happily, pulling it back rather than down leaves the glove in a better place to protect the heart and head.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
I hate to see a little girl, smack her hip (different topic) and never get the glove up to protect herself. They get a deer in the headlights look and are a stationary target for getting drilled.

The glove hand is very important for making a complete pitcher.

Jofus, I would like to see that drill. I can't get a good image of it.

I do try to keep the girls from "swimming" that glove arm.
 
May 4, 2009
874
18
Baltimore
Ever see a tightrope walker??? Ever notice that long pole they use for balance??

Same thing applies to the glove hand and arm. It is for balance during the stride.

The glove is SHOVED forward at your target as the ball hand comes up (it also helps open the shoulders). Then it is pulled back to the hip for more power and to still maintain balance as the throwing arm comes down and forward in the windmill circle.

To say that you drop the glove hand 'down' is not the best mechanics.

Shoved forward in a straight line and pulled back in a straight line.

Hal
I don't think you meant shoved forward. The glove should be raised as it is thrust and come back in the same fashion. As Hillhouse says, up together/down together.
 

FJRGerry

Abby's Dad
Jan 23, 2009
202
0
Collegeville, PA
"As Hillhouse says, up together/down together" I like this quote - both sides of the body need to work in unison to achieve optimum performance.
 
Amy, they started with having the girls in a "+" or "T" posture, with the pitching hand behind them (with a ball) at 9 o'clock (or is that 3 o'clock, I forget), and the glove hand in front of them (gloveless, also with a ball) at 3 o'clock, opposite the pitching hand.

Then, as they pitch the ball in their pitching hand, just like a girl may do warming up to pitch, at the same time they make a similar motion with their glove hand, "pitching" that ball backwards, away from the catcher.

Once the girls kinda got the hang of that, they moved to the "K" position, and then did full pitches, throwing the second ball backwards with their glove hand.

I personally like the idea of "pulling" the hand back towards the body better, at least as regards having your glove better positioned for defense, rather than "swinging" it past your glove side hip.
 

halskinner

Banned
May 7, 2008
2,681
0
I don't think you meant shoved forward. The glove should be raised as it is thrust and come back in the same fashion. As Hillhouse says, up together/down together.

Bill is a good teacher, even with all his ups and downs :) (Sorry Bill, could not resist that one)

I most definitely meant 'Shove', as in "Shove the glove". Many instructors that worked with me referred to me as having a 'Bag of tricks". That was one of them as far as teaching accuracy.

Once the glove arm was fully extended towards the catcher, I would tell them to look down the index finger of their glove. Right over the top of that index finger, they should see their catcher's glove, THAT is their target and they see it just like the sites on a rifle.

Once they have done that, DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE TARGET.

NEVER bring the 'Rifle' up so high they cannot see their target.

WINNING FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
 

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