Combating Hello Elbow

toquin · Apr 17, 2014

Just out of curiousity, how do you deal with a coach who insists on changing your DD's IR mechanics? DD is on her middle school team and one of the coaches continues to try and change her delivery to HE? She doesn't want to come across as uncoachable, but she (and I) also understand that the IR method is the one that works and is the one that the successful pitchers use (even if they don't coach it).

humpty · Apr 17, 2014

Tell him back off. You don't know you're talking about

lhowser · Apr 17, 2014

She should be uncoachable when it comes to hello elbow mechanics. You could schedule and have a polite conversation with him. Topics could include:

1) I truly do not believe that is correct pitching mechanics so if she has to try to adapt to it I would rather not have her pitch.

to

2) Coach, could I show you some videos as to why I do not believe this is proper pitching mechanics. Show coach Bill Hillhouse around 3:30 on this video and others

3) Ask him to demonstrate a high speed pitch from full distance so you can see what he is talking about using the technique he is teaching your daughter.

You cannot have your daughter trying Hello Elbow mechanics just to play middle school softball. It is not worth it.

Doug Romrell · Apr 17, 2014

humpty said:
Tell him back off. You don't know you're talking about

I agree! Why? Because it is true.

When that coach tells her to do this or that with her pitching mechanics, simply say, "I'll discuss it with my PITCHING coach."

Doug Romrell · Apr 17, 2014

Further. this "she's uncoachable" label because of this is horsepucky.

The coach is IGNORANT. And, I find that to be a bigger problem than being "uncoachable."

toquin · Apr 17, 2014

I agree with all of you, but while I'm not willing to sacrifice proper mechanics in order to maintain a good image with these coaches, she's already fighting an uphill battle with playing time because of these coaches opinions on both pitching and hitting. This problem is the team is successful, but what I don't think they understand is that the team is successful in spite of them not because of them. There's a lot of very hard working dedicated girls (and a couple of prima donas *coaches dd*) on this team and even though they're not observant enough to pick it up, 4 out of the 5 pitchers us IR mechanics with a makeshift HE follow through (including the coaches daughter). Frustrating to say the least...

Amy in AZ. · Apr 17, 2014

It is frustrating and I have had similar problems. What I always keep in mind is, if I am worried about this, then everything is great with my family, etc. Softball is such a small part of our world, over all.

Does she also play rec or travel ball? Then, give her this chance to work on a second position. It sounds like she might not pitch, even if she was Cat Osterman. Work on hitting and tell her not to take the nonsense to heart.

James Smith · Apr 17, 2014

I would not pose it as a threat but take your DD out of pitching for MS. It is a debate you are not going to win and will probably just frustrate your DD. The old listen to them, nod, and then ignore them.

Have her just work on hitting in practice and see if she can earn playing time that way.

toquin · Apr 17, 2014

This whole situation has been frustrating for her, I keep telling her that it's a learning experience (dealing with coaches you don't agree with). I've contemplated pulling her off the team, but I don't want her to have to deal with the blowback from both classmates and others, not to mention she worked really hard to get onto this team only to become a lesser player because of it. To her credit she remains a good teammate and still pays due respect to her coaches.

James Smith · Apr 17, 2014

No for pulling her off the Team. Not allowing her to pitch seems reasonable to me.

Regroup next year and if she wants to tryout again great, if not great too.

(Give me a couple months and I will have some good rants and hopefully posters here, you included, will keep me in-line)

Combating Hello Elbow

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