BP, I've never coached fastpitch other than rec and stopped 4 years ago. But I think if I were the HS coach with different styles on the team, I wouldn't do much if any mechanics/fundamentals coaching, but would work with pitchers and catchers on strategy: figure out the ump's zone fast, then read each batter, try and get the first strike, keep batters off balance mixing speed and location, etc.
Another HE Confrontation and Interesting Result
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BP, I've never coached fastpitch other than rec and stopped 4 years ago. But I think if I were the HS coach with different styles on the team, I wouldn't do much if any mechanics/fundamentals coaching, but would work with pitchers and catchers on strategy: figure out the ump's zone fast, then read each batter, try and get the first strike, keep batters off balance mixing speed and location, etc.
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Depends on what you have... if they are effective pitchers and have PC's, you leave it alone and work on strategy, pitch sequences, etc, etc. I'd forget skill teaching in that case and work on other things. If she can throw a drop ball even if it is not your way, who cares. Call a drop and be done with it and don't try to correct technique in practice or games. If she is struggling in the game, pull her if she can't get it back herself - she should be able to self-correct at that age.
If they suck... well you have all the reason you need (and no real bad consequences) to make changes. What do you have to lose? When your pitchers ERA is 8.0+ and she or her parents complain that you are changing their style you have some real good ammunition to fire back with.
My DD's head coach for travel is a local hitting instructor but only 4 of the team use him The rest go elsewhere. He tells the parent he doesn't care who they go to, he wont mess with their swing if they go somewhere else UNLESS they aren't performing in games. Our normal lead off and 3-5 spot all go to someone else. His students bat 2, 6,8 and every other game. That doesn't appear normal behavior for a coach but it should be,
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- Jun 12, 2015
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This is why I drive 45 minutes for my daughter's pitching lessons. We lucked into an IR teacher before we even knew enough to ask questions. I tried to find one closer to home and it did not go well.
- Feb 17, 2014
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Some folks think I am crazy because DD left a PC that was 10 minutes away for one that is 40 minutes away. Gotta make sacrifices for the good stuff.
- Feb 17, 2014
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Maybe it is worth it for us to maintain a list of pitching coaches that teach I/R across the country on this site.
Me_and_my_big_mouth
witty softball quote
I think I must create new usernames and post in my sleep, because I swear some of these threads/posts could have been written by me. I feel you, 4KidsDad.
DD loves her PC and he's all about arm whip and spin, but wants her to tack on the HE at the end - so she just does now. She uses I/R, then brings the hand up as an afterthought and all involved seem happier. Posting her videos for help, though, and I'm hearing that it's making her whip look more forced. I stink as a coach and I try to be educated but this has been an ongoing thing for 2 years now. My DD is frustrated for other reasons with the whole pitching thing, anyway, so "change this, change that" gets really old, really fast. Yes - I might have some strong opinions on what I think is right - but I've never pitched myself, nor am I qualified to help in any other meaningful way. So sometimes it's just easier to throw in the towel and say fine - put your elbow up - but after you use I/R.
- Jun 12, 2015
- 3,848
- 83
I think that's a great idea.
Amanda Scarborough does exactly that.
