11 Year Old Velocity?

Well she will be 12 in July, was at her pitching lesson today and put her on the rev fire for the first time in 12u. She was hitting 43-44 consistantly with a RPS of 10-11.5 she hit 45 a couple of times. Her changeup which is a flip was in the 30-33 range with RPS of 16-17. Is this about avg for a pitcher her age. She hasnt started her maturing female stage yet, so im kinda wondering if this will make a differnce. Are there things we can work on to increase velocity at this age?

Well, all kids develop and mature at different levels. She sounds like she's about average for her age. I can give you a good reference point since my DD will also be 12 at the end of July. She consistently hits 50-53 on the revfire with avg. spins at about 17-18 rps. She plays mostly A tournaments on a first year 12U team and has been much more successful than I thought she would. While I don't think she has really matured yet, she has always been big and strong for her age.

As for increasing her velocity, I really think a lot of that comes with experience throwing the ball. Work on staying loose in the windmill and throwing the ball rather than trying to guide it. Spend time pitching with no regard for accuracy. Simply shoot for speed and nothing else. Use the rev fire to establish the connection between BEING LOOSE and increased velocity and spin rate. That, IMHO, is the most counter-intuitive aspect to velocity. There is a natural correlation between muscling the ball and velocity that is a myth. Loose, whippy arms are what brings the heat (assuming the rest of her mechanics are okay).

Best of luck to you.

Are there things we can work on to increase velocity at this age?

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So, you want her to be the best 11YOA pitcher around? Or, do you want her to be the best 18YOA pitcher around?

Sure, there are ways to increase her speed right now...and the way to do it is to develop habits which will torpedo any future hope of her being "good". For example, "slamming the hips" actually can increase speed at your DD's age...of course, when she grows up and develops...uh, you know...she won't be able to hit the backstop from 20 feet.

The best way to insure your DD's success in the future (when it *really* matters) is to work with her to develop perfect pitching form *NOW*.

Work on getting her form *now* as good as it can be (read the various threads "stuck" to the top of the forum) and your DD will be way ahead of the game when she starts to mature.

Thanks for the replies, she just plays c class travel, shes very consistant and has really good mechanics. She throwing a 75 percent strike rate at at 800 pitches so far this travel season. We always worked on getting the right mechanics down and told her speed will come. She can place the ball where she wants it also. I just feel like shes not as strong as others her age kinda hoping when she starts to mature she will fill into her body more. Also didnt know if there were things that would her build speed. Thanks again

IS4AU said:

Thanks for the replies, she just plays c class travel, shes very consistant and has really good mechanics. She throwing a 75 percent strike rate at at 800 pitches so far this travel season. We always worked on getting the right mechanics down and told her speed will come. She can place the ball where she wants it also. I just feel like shes not as strong as others her age kinda hoping when she starts to mature she will fill into her body more. Also didnt know if there were things that would her build speed. Thanks again

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Sounds like you're on the right track. I also went the "accuracy first" route with my DD. One thing to consider is that you may want to concentrate more on spinning the ball right now than you do building velocity. Velocity increase will more than likely come with maturity. Being able to spin the ball will not. Also, I see tons of girls who throw mid to high 40's at 12U who do not have the ability to change speeds or spin the ball. They are the ones who get lit up like Christmas trees. Especially when they actually have great control and throw strikes consistently. Right now, focus on her spinning the ball and she'll be light years ahead of the game at 14U throwing junk than she will be if she's only able to throw BP with an occasional change up thrown in for good measure. If nothing else, it is imperative that her dropball (fastball) be "heavy". It needs to have a good downward bite to it every time. That will only begin to happen at the 17-18 rps spin rate.

Thanks waspeed, yeah her pitching coach said if we can get her spin rate on her fastball the same as what is on her changeup then she would be good. Its crazy to me because in 10u she had a spin rate of 17. He also said her velocity would prob increase with spin rate. Any ideas on way to increase soin. Thanks

If you've never had a teenage daughter...when finally does mature and turns 13YOA, you are going to be saying, "I wish she were 11YOA again..."

Lol oh im dreading it already sluggers

My 11yrolds turning 12 = 41,43,44,44,44.

One of them just won 12uB Metro.--It isn't all about speed, it's control/moving the ball around the plate, a good change and all my 11yrs olds throw drops.

To work on speed, I have them constantly focus on their whip releases in class, work on their push mechanics and resistance.
Intermittent speed drills and distance pitching--AND ABOVE ALL ELSE--MECHANICS!

Kids and parents really want that speed but don't want to take the time to work on the little things that get them there.

Thanks jojo, im not neccesarily concerned with speed just trying to see where most 11,12 year olds are at. I feel like her mechanics are really solid wish I could get her to release more with her body equal maybe with a little rear tilt. Thats her biggest then she is not neccesarily leaning foward just kind of behind the front leg. Basically looking for more front side resistance.