bigdaddy

Coach,

We often run into trouble when we use terms without an agreed upon definition. The terms become useless...like 'rotational hitting'.

What you describe as stepping sounds right to me. I agree that too many pitchers drive so hard off the rubber that they become disconnected. IOW, the momentum they develop in their lower half is lost when they land and is not available to be transferred.

Keith

Amy in AZ.

Here's an example. Is it leap and drag or step? YouTube - Caitlin

Mark H

Sub optimal effort leap and drag.

halskinner

Hey Amy.

This one is at the point that I have always called 'Pitching style limbo'.

She appears to have been trained to throw with a step style. However, now she is stronger and older and getting more aggressive in her push off than her 'step style' will allow her to be. She is making the transition from step to L and D by herself but her mechanics are now holding her back and I can guarantee you she feels that way and is frustrated from that.

I cannot count how many times instructors had sent me a student of theirs to do just that, help her make that transition.

If you have my book, use 'Coach Hal's Foundation Method' and watch what happens with her mechanics and ball speed.


10-year-old starting on the bent fingered rise

SoftballGirl#18

My pitching coach has worked with Lisa Fernades, Cat Osterman, and ect. He tells me to kick the pumpkin off the post. This is like an up, out, push, and drag. The higher and stronger you kick your leg the more effective your pitch will be. Idk I hope this answers your question.

halskinner

Many coaches claim to have worked with Lisa, Cat, etc..

Who is YOUR coach??

ifubuildit

If she is dropping those names its probably Ernie Parker.

ifubuildit

In that I have recently been working with a young lady out in California who was doing the leap and drag. It had the timing of her motion so out of sync that she lost all sense of balance during the leap and when she landed her arm was no where near the 1:00 position at toe touch. It got pretty ugly.

Here is the kicker. This girl was 12 going on 13 and was thin as a rail. She didnt have the strength or stability to pull this movement off ala Jenny Finch. Some instructor did try to get her there but only succeeded in messing her up for a few months.

Make sure you understand the direction your headed with your instructor. Ask them to produce a development plan for your daughter and if they cannot produce one then be wary of what your daughter is being taught.

Elliott

halskinner

Using the description the young lady is giving, I find that unlikely. I would be very surprised because I know what step style she is describing. I dont believe Ernie teaches that.

Hal

jofus13

My DD's pitching instructor had her pitch a few before he told her anything in her first ever class (about 2 years ago), then he showed her both styles, had her pitch a few each way, watched her, asked her what felt comfortable, etc.

She ended up pitching L and D, btw. One of the key elements on L and D is timing. He really has her concentrate on where her pitching hand is in the windmill when her stride foot lands, for example.