Which mechanics need most work? Input, please!

Question.....is the instant the heel comes in contact with the ground considered heel plant or is it when the weight has been transferred to the front leg. Its hard to explain but there is a difference (not much) but still a difference in the second the heel touches the ground and when the weight load has been transferred to the landing leg. I am just wondering if I am looking at it correctly. I hope that makes sense....

Frozen, excellent explanation of the difference between Jennie and Amanda. I was actually about to comment/ask about that myself. I know Amanda has always prided herself with the powerful drive from the rubber and rightfully so. Cant get much better than that IMO. Again, great explanation. Thanks..

Boomers2012 said:

Question.....is the instant the heel comes in contact with the ground considered heel plant or is it when the weight has been transferred to the front leg. Its hard to explain but there is a difference (not much) but still a difference in the second the heel touches the ground and when the weight load has been transferred to the landing leg. I am just wondering if I am looking at it correctly. I hope that makes sense....

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This is a great point. And it makes a ton of sense. If we think about it as when the pitcher is stabilized....it's not only heel plant, but also the point at which the front leg absorbs the forward momentum....which yes, I agree with you 100% that it can be a split second later than heel plant. Almost impossible to separate in regular speed..you can really see the difference in super slow motion.

superg said:

She decided not to play middle school ball this late summer/early fall. Instead we are going to try to keep working on mechanics.

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The mechanics advice you've gotten so far is correct and it is mainly fine tuning stuff. If that is the limitation of her flaws, you need to get her playing and gaining circle time, not sitting out to work on mechanics.

The greatest mechanics in the world are secondary to the experience of actually being in the circle and pitching against live batters.

DNeeld said:

The greatest mechanics in the world are secondary to the experience of actually being in the circle and pitching against live batters.

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Thanks for all of the great mechanical/technical input and advice. I figured drive mechanics and timing was a priority. So that's what we'll focus on next. The video and screen shot comparisons are invaluable.

DJ and DNeeld -- definitely agree on the need for circle time. The issue for my DD is that the middle school program in her school district is not nearly as strong as those around us. The result is that the team is made up at least half, if not more, of rec players (some of whom just started rec not long ago and are just learning to throw the ball). So the practices have to be geared accordingly. She understands and has no problem with that, but ends up putting in a lot of time attending practice during a busy time of the school year and, like the few other TB players in the school district, not getting as much out of the practice as the newer girls. The pitching time is also very limited, with 3 pitchers (who make up almost all of the TB players on the team) and usually only 1 game a week. Pitching time is split among them, so at most she'd get only a few innings a week. She feels like she might get more out of the time working out on her own. If she was in any of the other surrounding school districts, it would be a whole different story and she'd play. The surrounding teams are made up of all TB players, and some really good ones at that, and have very competitive middle school teams.

Thanks again for all of the advice, everyone -- so nice to have so much expertise a mere post away!

Cheers!

djcarter1966 said:

here are stills these are at detachment vs Amanda and Jennie

View attachment 10444View attachment 10445View attachment 10446

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This is a great thread and great post DJ. Exactly where many people land including my DD. I wish some more folks would post some additional ideas on how to fix it. I think it is a tough one and once figured out then the speed with increase significantly.