Thread: video analysis please

OK- got a new camera here & I would really appreciate some feedback on DD pitching mechanics.I will try to get better video soon- this is a first effort. Anyway on the first pitch, she is trying a new grip & for some reason seemed to follow through reasonably well, I realize that in the following pitches her follow through stinks & we are going to work on that. This girl is 14 & locates pretty well, but my biggest concern is speed. we seem stuck in the mid40's. Any suggestions would be welcome. We have been working to change from a bowling release to internal rotation & I feel we are part way there, but not complete yet. Also, can anyone tell me how to watch this video in slow motion??? Thanks

YouTube - LLpitching

I agree that her release and follow through is much better at :05 than at :35 (fist w/ palm pointed down?) Has your dd tried to generate more speed by having her throwing arm go farther back past 9 o'clock at the start of her swing? If you look at video of elite pitchers (finch, cat, thorson, ..) they are smooth and flexible well past the 9 position.

JC Heir One way to get video in slow motion would be to upload into microsoft movie maker, then under tools use option video effects. Scroll to find option slowdown/half speed then add the effect 2 or 3 times. If you do this you can also cut out the extra parts of the clip that are not pitching mechanics.

Dan

JC Heir, I'll throw this observation out and see what the response is by the more knowledgeable. I like the stride out, she drives straight ahead before she loads her hips but it looks like she lands at a 90 degree. I'd suggest to get her to rotate as she does but as the foot lands she is rotating the front leg back to a 45 degree landing. Start the process of loading / unloading. The same situation I see in the back / pivot leg. Finch will get the foot pointing backwards with the knee pointing towards third but as she gets closer to pre release she gets the leg rotating inward and gets the knee aligned with the hip at release. IOW, I believe she needs to get her hips working for her more. JMHO.

JC,
In the 12 o'clock pic I see the the ball over top of her head. Seems midline or maybe a little right of it(as in closer to R ear). It could be an issue with the plane of her arm circle. She appears to take the ball toward first base instead of straight back on the down which sets the plane of the circle off from the start.

It is a bit of a blur, but it appears from the other pic that her hand is behind the ball (on top of it) already at 3 o'clock. As I understand it the ball should face the sky and not the ground at this point. She seems to be starting to orient the ball this way even in the 12 o'clock pic where the ball is already facing first base, instead of a 'show and throw' orientation.

I'm just learning, so my input is a freebie I welcome a correction!

VW

For someone just converting and learning how to "throw the ball" she really looks good........



I would work on her backswing and snap timing......

She brings the ball "out" then "in" over her head a bit......Not horrible....but it will help......

She carries the ball a little long through release before her hand "turns over" (flips)........Nothing a few 9:00/12:00 drills wouldn't fix up........I'd rather have her here then turning it over early.......

Originally Posted by BoardMember

For someone just converting and learning how to "throw the ball" she really looks good........



I would work on her backswing and snap timing......

She brings the ball "out" then "in" over her head a bit......Not horrible....but it will help......

She carries the ball a little long through release before her hand "turns over" (flips)........Nothing a few 9:00/12:00 drills wouldn't fix up........I'd rather have her here then turning it over early.......

I suspect she is trying to throw a curveball and thus the follow through like that.

Hal

Originally Posted by JC heir

OK- got a new camera here & I would really appreciate some feedback on DD pitching mechanics.I will try to get better video soon- this is a first effort. Anyway on the first pitch, she is trying a new grip & for some reason seemed to follow through reasonably well, I realize that in the following pitches her follow through stinks & we are going to work on that. This girl is 14 & locates pretty well, but my biggest concern is speed. we seem stuck in the mid40's. Any suggestions would be welcome. We have been working to change from a bowling release to internal rotation & I feel we are part way there, but not complete yet. Also, can anyone tell me how to watch this video in slow motion??? Thanks

YouTube - LLpitching

Hi Lane,

Have her speed up that backswing and time it so the ball comes forward of the rubber at exactly the same time as the stride foot comes forward of the rubber and see what happens. AND, keep a slight bend in that elbow while she does it.

Hal.

Originally Posted by halskinner

Hi Lane,

Have her speed up that backswing and time it so the ball comes forward of the rubber at exactly the same time as the stride foot comes forward of the rubber and see what happens. AND, keep a slight bend in that elbow while she does it.

Hal.

Maybe shes trying to throw a curve......I don't think so......

Either way..........

What I see is a severe "out swing" on the backswing.....leading to a severe "in swing" on the forward move up the circle.........leading to an arm/hand position almost behind her head........CAUSING a severe adjustment to the upper body position and hip alignment, in order to allow the ball to pass through release.........

The ball position at the top is dictating to the body to lean over AND keep the hips sideways in order to allow the ball to pass through release from this severe inboard arm position.......

I also find that this "crooked" arm swing causes a cast that straightens any bend in the arm as it transitions over the top of the circle trying to find the proper plane......You can see it happen here as well........Notice she has a bend......then is forced to lose it over the top because her arm is out of plane.........



I have no problem with the timing of her arm swing......It mimics Jenny Finch almost exactly............As well as Ueno and Cat.........

The ball passes the lead leg on the way to lead leg extension.......AND both arms and the lead leg reach full extension forward at exactly the same time........Again....mimicing Jenny Finch........

On the downswing the arm reaches 9:00 at plant.......Ideal IMO.......

Check these arm positions to both Jenny and Ueno regarding the timing of the sequence...........

I really appreciate the input guys we will work on the backswing for sure & post another video sometime in the near future.