release issue - spin axis

Last couple of sessions DD's release is producing outward axis spin which looks like about 10-4 on her FB/drop. When she throws that, her velocity is lower and the pitch is fat. Any ideas to drill the correct (thumb off) cutting release would be appreciated. One thought I have as to why, is that since she has been working on upper arm brush resistance (adduction), her IR (whip) is now faster, causing a timing issue.

Thanks

Couple things: Can she identify the spin when it happens? One way to encourage this is to use a mix of feedback on the good and bad; along with asking her what she saw, felt and thought about a pitch. This encourages her to get a better feel for what she does and will help her to better self-evaluate and correct.

The other thought is to try the football drill during warm ups. In the absence of a football, I put nickle-sized dots between the narrows of the seams and ask the kids to throw the pinky side dot at the target. With the combo of a stripe and dots on both sides of the ball, she/you/her catcher should be able to see the spin clearly and more quickly learn how to control spin.

If she's able to identify how she throws that crop spin, she might decide to keep it in the toolbox!

Ken

Ken B said:

Couple things: Can she identify the spin when it happens? One way to encourage this is to use a mix of feedback on the good and bad; along with asking her what she saw, felt, thought about a pitch. This encourages her to get a better feel for what she does and will help her to better self-evaluate and correct.

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Ken, when I catch her, I have been feeding her back the spin on each pitch. I don't think she is feeling the difference, making this particularly difficult.

The other thought is to try the football drill during warm ups. In the absense of a football, I put nickle-sized dots between the narrows of the seams and ask the kids to throw the pinky side dot at the target. With the combo of a stripe and dots on both sides of the ball, she/you/her catcher should be able to see the spin clearly and more quickly learn how to control spin.

Click to expand...

Good ideas, I'll try those; thanks. football drill seems like it would be really good.

If she's able to identify how she throws that crop spin, she might decide to keep it in the toolbox!

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Yes, if she can actually make it bite, it would great!

Coach Bob, there is the problem. If she can't see her own spin and have her mind interpret it then it is going to be hard to fix. I find it amazing that a lot of girls don't know how their ball is spinning.

Not sure she CAN'T see it, but she is not feeling what's happening to give her the wrong spin.

I love the spin right spinner and tossing footballs. I don't use them much, because they are difficult drills - at least for me.

Amy in AZ. said:

I love the spin right spinner and tossing footballs. I don't use them much, because they are difficult drills - at least for me.

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Thanks Amy. I do have a spin-rite my 8u uses a lot. I'll bust it out next session.

coachbob said:

Not sure she CAN'T see it, but she is not feeling what's happening to give her the wrong spin.

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You have to be able to recognize it to be able to make changes. If there is no feedback visually then she will never get it completely right.

CoachFP said:

You have to be able to recognize it to be able to make changes. If there is no feedback visually then she will never get it completely right.

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Ok coach, help me out and tell me how you would coach her.

You don't sound sincere Bob, but I would have her be able to recognize her own spin first. Then get her to gradually get it spinning in the right direction. That's how I learned to pitch. You are looking for some magic drill. Trial and error is the best teacher sometimes.