Problems caused by a poor drive-through

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Feb 3, 2010
5,747
113
Pac NW
I generally like the idea of starting with the drive leg in a forward orientation, as well as finishing forward. However, I worry about the idea of forcing the leg to stay knee/laces forward. I think it limits the potential gain from the lower body:
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javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Ken,

I would normally agree with you... as I always do... HOWEVER...

In a recent discussion (email) with one of our favorite young model pitchers father... he mistakenly interpreted an email instruction backwards... had his DD do this... and the result of this was the fastest pitching speeds (ever) and most consistent pitching she's thrown in over a month...

I asked him to try it the way I intended this evening... and I'm eagerly awaiting his response...

(reference the pictures you posted in the following statements...)

The intention was to get his DD to hold Yukiko's 12 o'clock position LONGER (the foot orientation)...
The interpretation was that he had his DD hold Scarborough's second position longer...

The stabilization resulting in holding is probably what yielded the returns... as she has excessive 9-6 movement that causes her to pitch around her rear leg... but I was pretty surprised to get his response...

Just thought I'd share... ~JS
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,747
113
Pac NW
I think it's good to teach or encourage knee/laces forward, but allow the rotation as the body opens (rather than force a kid who is seen doing it to stop as a rule.) I must admit I didn't listen to all of Coach Phil's video and only assumed he teaches the knee must point forward throughout the drive.
 
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May 6, 2013
384
0
San Antonio TX.
Sorry KEN B and Java for not being clear in my post. This post was really about how core strength plays a crucial role in pitching and focusing on it will play a big part how quickly pitchers obtain optimal pitching movement. Like most bucket dads\moms to include myself we go over the same drills to death and get frustrated that our DD cannot do the pitching movement not knowing they physically cannot perform it.

"Importance of Hip and Core Strengthening for the Softball Pitcher"

Importance of Hip and Core Strengthening for the Softball Pitcher | CHKD Sports Medicine Blog
 
May 6, 2013
384
0
San Antonio TX.
The role of core stabilization in athletic performance is to reduce the waste of energy and to
maximize its transfer from the lower body to the upper body.
In sprinting, the arm action
creates a tremendous amount of rotational force on the trunk while the arms try to propel the
body forward. A strong and stable trunk helps to counteract this rotational force and allows the
energy not to be wasted and to be properly used. The weaker the core, the more energy is lost
in the rotation of the trunk. This energy saving concept applies to the lower body as well. The
legs drive off the ground and the energy travels up the legs through the core to the upper body.
A weak core will cause some of this energy to be lost creating a slower runner.

This concept applies to any athletic move that requires speed, power, agility and quickness. In
other words, it applies to everything a softball player does on the field. A strong and stable
core will also allow an athlete to change direction more quickly. As an athlete decelerates, the
upper body is still moving forward. A strong core will help decelerate the upper body allowing a
faster change of direction. This is similar to wearing a seat belt in a car accident. Wearing a
seat belt in a car accident (strong and stable core) will maintain the body in place while not
wearing a seat belt in an accident (unstable and weak core) is likely to propel the body in
space.



http://www.pomounties.org/cms/lib02/PA01000181/Centricity/Domain/112/Core_Strength.pdf
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Woah... that article looks REALLY familiar... I just now viewed that for the first time ever... and there was a graphic I just used in my latest post.... Everyone of those exercises are in my Drive Mechanics thread... That's sorta scary...

Good article, Nick! Feel like I've writt... I mean read that before... ;)
 
Sep 19, 2013
420
0
Texas
MisInterpret

Woah... that article looks REALLY familiar... I just now viewed that for the first time ever... and there was a graphic I just used in my latest post.... Everyone of those exercises are in my Drive Mechanics thread... That's sorta scary...

Good article, Nick! Feel like I've writt... I mean read that before... ;)

Hey Java,

What did the Dad misinterpret? What did DD do that increase her speed? Rolling over on the toes? Just curious. Waiting to see, what he reports back to u.

Thanks.
 

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