Feedback on mechanics

......we're waiting for the list, Hal......

While we're waiting for Hal, google a mix these search words: san diego, pitching, coach, instructor, instruction, softball, fastpitch

Ken B said:

While we're waiting for Hal, google a mix these search words: san diego, pitching, coach, instructor, instruction, softball, fastpitch

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Oh--I found plenty of pitching instructors when I did a Google search. I just have no idea if they are quacks or not so I was trying to find some word of mouth recommendations.


Good thing I gave up Facebook this year to be more efficient at work....never knew I'd get so obsessed with this friggin sport.

Finding a good one is tough. They are out there, but in my area, I might only be able to recommend 1 out of 10. I'd bet you'll get a good lead from someone here in a bit.

My $0.02...

I would like to recommend that you get a blue tarp and hang it 15-20' in front of your DD and let her throw into that for 10 minutes when she starts her warm ups. Throwing into the tarp allows her (and you) to focus on her mechanics vs. trying to throw strikes. The sound of the tarp gives audible "feedback" on how hard she is throwing. You can add a piece of duct tape to the tarp if you want her to have an aim point.

Others have covered her arm motion, so I will focus on her feet. She has a "creep step" with her right foot. A lot of pitchers do this when throwing from a flat surface, but do not do it off a rubber. Just keep an eye on it. She needs to work on generating more "push" with her legs vs. just falling forward. Pointing her drag toe will also help prevent her from being calls for leaping, but she may have not been dragging her toe in the video since she is wearing her "twinkle toe" shoes! LOL

Ringor offers their turf shoe with the pitching toe. Keep an eye on their "Special Offers" link at the bottom of the home page. You can find some GREAT deals on their cleats and other products there.

Ken B said:

Finding a good one is tough. They are out there, but in my area, I might only be able to recommend 1 out of 10. I'd bet you'll get a good lead from someone here in a bit.

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In GA good pitching coaches are found by word of mouth and are booked solid. I pay for my DD's lessons even when we are out of town just to hold her time slot! LOL I would be leery of any pitching coach who has to advertise on message boards for clients unless they have only been around for 6 months or less.

Ken B said:

Three things:
-Go to a farm supply or decent hardware store and buy a 4 foot x 6 inch strip of 3/8 inch stall/shop mat. Cut it in half and you have two pitching rubbers. Get a roll of "no residue" duct tape and it only takes 3-4 six inch strips to secure it to a carpet, floor or driveway. (If I had a choice of surfaces in preferred order, I'd pick dirt, grass, carpet, a smooth floor, then concrete only if no other option was available.)
-Work on leading the downswing with a flexed elbow and pausing at the side during the whip.
-Work on a more explosive drive, but at the same time, eliminate the walk through after release.

One more: wear athletic shoes if cleats aren't appropriate.


Ken

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JJ, just to emphasize the points Ken suggested. If you want your DD to get the most out of her interest in pitching make sure she practices with a purpose and has a consistent routine. Some key points:

- never ever pitch off of cement
- always pitch from a pitching plate
- always pitch from the exact distance she will be pitching from during the game
- never pitch in clothes that don't allow for maximum movement during the stride (that means not pitching with blue jeans on)
- pitch from the dirt using cleats
- have someone catch her
- always have a pre pitch warm up routine. For example, throw overhand, T drill, arm circle drill with body at 45 degree angle, walk throughs. All of this before she does her full pitching motion.
- a quality pitching coach is a must for the serious pitcher. Ask around who the top pitchers in your area go to and ask that pitching instructor what and how they teach. If it doesn't seem reasonable based on BM, Hillhouse, etc posts than move on.
- at least 3x a week practice, pretty much year round. You have some of the best weather in SD so there is no excuse to not practice.
- think 6 months ahead where your DD needs to be and work towards that goal now.

Your daughter looks pretty good for only 6 months. A couple of areas to work on. As has been mentioned, she walks through the pitch, robbing herself of power and velocity on the pitch. She should stay behind and resist the stride leg at plant which transfers more energy to the pitching arm and hand. Her speed and accuracy will improve with this adjustment.

Make sure she doesn't slow her arm down when throwing the change up. She should be throwing her flip change as hard as she can so it looks to the batter to be a fast ball out of her hand. Right now her arm goes straight to the catcher at release, I would have her follow through across her body more. It will have some side spin on it which is fine as it moves away from the right handed batter. If her fastball is low 40s her c/u should be around low 30s or 25% less speed than her fastest pitch.

Good luck. She has a lot of potential.

Thanks Rocketech. Great advice and encouragement. Thanks to all of you for the feedback. It has been pretty consistent from multiple sources so it makes it easy to follow. I'll upgrade our home practice facilities and get her off the cement so she doesn't injure herself. We already pitch from the correct distance and with me catching her but I am guilty of not using a plate and letting her wear anything from full uniform to swimsuit and flip flops. We are also both guilty of having no desire to do drills so we do a few Ks and then go to full rotation. I'm sure a PC will get us both more disciplined. we'll continue to work on it and when the whip/follow through/front side are fixed I'll repost. Thanks again.....this has been VERY helpful.

very impressive for only 6 months

[video=youtube_share;0EL9V8virKg]http://youtu.be/0EL9V8virKg[/video]

I took all of your advice and fixed the pitching area, it's astroturf on top of an anti fatigue rubber mat. No more pitching in slippers and jeans on concrete. We've been trying to get a firmer front side, keeping her hand from pushing coming down and more are whip. Still a work in progress but I see some small improvement in whip, follow through being less forced and a slightly firmer front side.