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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I have no doubt that a single lesson can get a 5+ MPH result. HE cues can be faster than a straight arm bowler. An instructor with less-than-optimum instruction can get "improvement" in speed and control, but unless the kid transcends and learns to do that whippy, rollover thing on her own, she will be limited in her potential.
 
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Oct 10, 2011
1,572
38
Pacific Northwest
I have no doubt that a single lesson can get a 5+ MPH result. HE cues can be faster than a straight arm bowler. A good instructor with less than optimum instruction can get "improvement" in speed and control, but unless the kid transcends and learns to do that whippy, rollover thing on her own, she will be limited in her potential.


hi Ken. Update on the pitchers you have worked with. last night, the smallest, Danika, 9YO surprised the heck out of us, made a giant jump in velocity, with accuracy. Her whip is developing nicely.
Abby the 10yo lefty, started spots, and is not very hittable, due to to much velocity, at 10u, and must throw all strikes to get outs.
Hanna my 14u HE pitcher throws strikes, but has trouble getting anywhere near 40. Emma the newest 12u pitcher, is getting into games, crashed and burned, but held together mentally, and did much better her 2nd game.
Kayla, and Kaela, both quit HS softball, said they would play 16u. HS politics, nough said. No more jv team. Lili, still cruises at 45, and this is because her HE coach will Not let IR develop, by enforcing ball down at 9 palm up elbow up finish. My first ever IR pitcher VS starter, has dropped from 52 , as an 8th grader, to 45 as ajuniour, because the HS coach removed the IR, and replaced it with HE.
Both Lili and HS pitcher have same coach.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
So sorry to hear about the drama with the HS team and HE instruction. It's heartbreaking to see the potential in these kids get hampered. Keep up the good fight! Please share hi fives from me where you can. Thanks for the update and feel free to have parents send video.

Ken
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
My DD has been averaging 51-53 but when she's lazy she can sit around 45-48.
I use a glove radar during pitching practice. It gives me immediate feedback and helps get her back on track.
We see new girls at DD's pitching lessons and the first few times they do pick up speed. 10MPH seems like a lot but it depends on the factors listed above.
My opinion is that if your not impressed with the new PC on the first lesson it may be a good idea to move. The first lesson is when they give you their best :)
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
Well, I can get 5-10 mph more anytime I want. I have this extension cord that I've cut the end off of......

ZAP.jpg

Yes... I was dropped on my head much too often as a baby.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
HOWEVER........ This only works to increase speed if they are near elbows to sides in the adduction into release phase. Any other time and speed will likely decrease--too stiff.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
You should not be coached by anyone teaching fingers behind ball down backside. Every college pitcher throwing in the MODEL PITCHERS thread leads with the elbow with the ball somewhere between open sideways to skyward and releases the ball internally rotating the arm. There really doesn't need to be a discussion.

It is better to coach as a parent even if you don't consider yourself a PC than to go to a PC that teaches a different mechanic.

Forget MPH, forget throwing more strikes. Forget credentials. None of that matters if the technique does not reflect what can be clearly seen on video of good pitchers.

mann sez:
My first ever IR pitcher VS starter, has dropped from 52 , as an 8th grader, to 45 as ajuniour, because the HS coach removed the IR, and replaced it with HE.
Both Lili and HS pitcher have same coach.

Don't allow a player in high school to dramatically change their pitching mechanic to the wrong thing because of a HS coach. Keep working with them on the IR and eventually their talent will shine through if they become good. If they don't just move on to one of the other 8 positions, they are all important.
 
Jan 12, 2016
5
0
Thank you to everyone who decided to rip my comments to shreds and attempt to make me a liar. I have learned my lesson. Won't be posting any time soon. Good luck growing pitchers. I have learned a lot from the website. Please be open minded when talking to folks. Not everyone is a pitching guru. Maybe you could get more information before you attempt to publicly chastise anyone.
I looked at the slow motion of her pitching last night. Oddly enough I was very pleased to see that she was pinky in on release and her whip has increased dramatically. It appears that the emphasis the PC put on her snap made her more aggressive at release with the whip and engaging the back side improved her power. I don't plan on taking her back to the PC any time soon so that she doesn't convert to HE.
She pitched a game last night. Comments like "where's this been hiding" we're made while she was warming up. 9ks through 4 innings against a solid team. Pocket radar showed that I was nearly correct. Her fastest pitch was 44. Previously it was 38.
Tournament today. I hope she continues to throw quickly. It makes her breaking pitches much better and her change up more effective.
Don't worry I won't be reading your comments and won't update the thread any longer.
 
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