Looking for GOOD drop ball video

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Oct 10, 2012
502
16
Oklahoma
We are still working on the drop. Seems about half of the time the ball remains flat and does not have any break to it thus remaining in the wheelhouse. I am afraid to just use any video as a guide because we all know there are some good ones and some bad ones out there. If anyone has a good slo mo video of a drop ball or a you tube location, it would be much appreciated if you shared it! I am posting a couple vids. They are not the best quality but maybe someone will be able to see something obvious that she is doing wrong or right. As always, any input would be much appreciated.

 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
All the good PC's talk about getting into a position at release where the rear (right) hip/shoulder are a bit more raised than on other pitches.
"Throw the ball downhill" is another mantra...

I see L still a bit "back" in posture AT RELEASE in the game vid,
and then she gets taller/stacked after ball is gone.
Another clue is what her drag foot does after release, I think.
She has nice forward drag and "laces forward" articulation of the ankle up to release,
but after release she exhibits a 1B-side "kick" that usually means to me that there is something to fix there.
I am not a pro PC so what that fix is, I will leave to more learned Members...
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I've looked at video of me throwing both a "rollover" and "peel" and as you've read from many, there is no difference--at least in what is easily observed on the video. The hand seems to be in essentially the same positions through release with slight differences. Regardless of what is observable on video, I can tell you that finding the feel or cue is the key. Play around with different feels/cues. Don't worry about getting a perfect 12/6, wobble-free stripe. Look for that crazy, drop-off-the-table movement. Osterman talks about a snap feel in her wrist. Hillhouse (as I recall and hope he has time to comment) also talks about a snap feel in the elbow. Michele Smith and others have their cues. Play around with several, take note of break and ask her how something felt. See if she can put the feel into words that describe what she does with her arm or motion then she can use that as a cue to replicate or remind her of when she's not getting a strong break.
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I have to add--As you play with this, you may find that two different feels give you two different, but useful pitches. An exaggerated rollover feel might end up in an off speed pitch whereas a snappy/peel cue will give you a fast drop that appears to have "sharp, late break."
 
Jun 14, 2011
528
0
Field of Dreams
Were these drop balls that broke (in practice) or didn't break (in game)? one thing is for sure though- in the game, she sure is bringing it! If she is not practicing the pitch at that level of intensity (I am inferring this from the degree to which she seems to be transferring energy into her front side- which is significant in the game footage, producing the different motion of the drag foot)- that may be throwing her off in the game performance- in terms of her mechanics and the expected break point of the pitch.

There is much good discussion in an older thread on this that may have additional tips for you (if you hadn't seen it)-
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/1894-drop-ball-internal-rotation-2.html
 
First of all, I enjoy seeing vids of your DD. She has such nice form. As someone mentioned before me, I think she would benefit by getting more weight over the front side for a drop, get her to try and get her torso more over her front leg for the drop.
 
Mar 12, 2009
556
0
I know this isn't advocated by some but you may have her try to get her front foot down a little sooner for this pitch to help her get her weight a little more over the front foot which will help raise the rear shoulder/hand.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Were these drop balls that broke (in practice) or didn't break (in game)? one thing is for sure though- in the game, she sure is bringing it! If she is not practicing the pitch at that level of intensity (I am inferring this from the degree to which she seems to be transferring energy into her front side- which is significant in the game footage, producing the different motion of the drag foot)- that may be throwing her off in the game performance- in terms of her mechanics and the expected break point of the pitch.

There is much good discussion in an older thread on this that may have additional tips for you (if you hadn't seen it)-
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/1894-drop-ball-internal-rotation-2.html

Awesome thread! One of my all-time favorites--both technically and due to the number of really knowledgeable/experienced folks posting.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,478
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top