Amanda Scarborough: be your own coach.

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

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

Feb 26, 2012
93
8
That's funny - because when I first read your statement I thought "what a jerk". Perhaps there were qualifiers you meant to use, like "sift through the BS on the internet..." Because the "on the internet..." part would have totally changed the meaning to what I think you meant...FWIW...

Maybe so. Let me break it down.

Like the premise-be your own coach
but good luck sifting through the BS-she is talking about seeking info on the internet and such. You can get bad info and waste a lot of time and effort-been there,done that

BTW, wasn't her teachings influenced by this forum? Mine were as well. As you can see by my post count, I visit sporadically and i think I read where she changed what or how she taught. So have I. I know she has posted here before because I have read some post in the past.

She could be a very influential pitching coach and role model. I don't know her personally but she seems like............just what I said.

I have referenced that video 100's of times.

Now Amanda, my 2 daughters, and my wife are mad at me. My wife really doesn't understand why.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,855
113
IMHO, the goal of every instructor/coach is to do such a good job that their students understand what they need to do when the instructor/coach is no longer there. I've mentioned this a lot in the past and referenced Scott Sarginson. SSarge always talked about teaching a "fall back swing" where a hitter understood their core swing and could always fall back to those mechanics to "fix themselves." In doing this, communication between player/student and instructor/coach is critical. It isn't as simple as doing drills etc. It is teaching the "whys" of drills. It isn't as easy as teaching fundamentals, it is the teaching of why a player does what they need to do.

Amanda, you are doing an exceptional job! I hope that you continue to reap the benefits of your hard work over the years. Thanks for weighing in on this thread!
 
Feb 3, 2016
502
43
I have tried to let my DD know early on she is the only one stepping in the batters box or in the outfield. Her hitting coach drills her with the exact same thing I'll help you reach your potential but remember it's you not your dad or me getting up to bat. Study other good hitters, pitchers and great players and steal what works for you. Good stuff and how cool for her to respond. :)
 
Aug 12, 2014
644
43
Amanda, if you are still reading here, my daughter went to one of the Packaged Deals in Colorado about a year ago and really enjoyed it.
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
Last I heard, and this is coming 2nd Hand.... Amanda is angry at me because I'm beautiful and I get 12/6 spin on my riseball. I would invite her to see me in Dallas or come to my home in PA but, she'd probably think that'd be creepy and give off too much of a Silence of the Lambs vibe. :)

Bill
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
She'd probably also say/think... "Who the hell is Bill Hillhouse???" Well, Amanda... I may be nobody, but nobody's perfect!!
 
Dec 27, 2014
311
18
She'd probably also say/think... "Who the hell is Bill Hillhouse???" Well, Amanda... I may be nobody, but nobody's perfect!!
Lol.

I know who you are. It was your simple concept comparing the overhand throw to underhand that started my daughter on a fast path to pitching. As a completely new pitcher she just did a horseshoes style throw. We kept trying to get her to do the BIG arm circle with a nice straight arm and then SNAP the wrist at the bottom as we were shown at some clinics we went to. Sadly, after 6 or 7 innings of pitching in games she still just threw horseshoes style at 26-28 mph at just turning nine. We could not get her to release her wrist. Then, I passed on your concept. 30 minutes later she is throwing in the mid 30's and popping the mitt. Literally, just like that. It was an amazing transformation. She went from being a bit lost to feeling really good about her pitching and hasn't looked back since.:) Thank you!
 
Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
My daughter keeps a notebook from when she watches college and professional softball. She takes notes while watching the game… Since she caught me taking a picture of her notes one day, she keeps her notebook hidden now. Here is one of her entry…20151024_080627.jpgThese notes are from her observations.
 
Last edited:

bmd

Jan 9, 2015
301
28
Crystal: I love your pic. I love the comment at the top that says try to knock catcher on butt. COOL KID! Great notes.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,831
Messages
679,490
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top