We are now about 2 months in. These vids are from DD throwing in the school gym. Noticeable is her staying open after release. Push could be better and front plant. All opinions appreciated.
and we're off
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I can also say that she is having difficulty with the distance. At home, we have room for 20' at most. Here she was at either 35' or 32' and I know the longer distance is throwing her off. Lots of wild pitches. I believe we will work more at shorter throws and gradually keep moving back.
- Jul 17, 2012
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I also just started with DD #2. She just turned 9 last week. We spent the last 6 months, on and off, just going over the IR drills, and trying to get comfortable throwing the ball underhand. We're just now starting to introduce the pitching motion. I'm sharing this because you are right.... the distance does screw them up. It changes everything. Try baby steps. If she's comfortable at 20', move back to 22', then 24'. As soon as she looks like she's struggling at a distance, or more important, as soon as it stops looking comfortable, and mechanics start to break down...reel it in. Their perception of the distance throws all kinds of unwanted forward momentum into the motion. Shoulders go flying, posture goes in the tank, etc. FYI.. I have a similar resume as you. Have an older daughter that I have had up to Western NY to see Mike several times, and we're both much more educated people. I feel very comfortable putting my little one's success in my hands above any of the local "pros".
FrozenRope;417054 I feel very comfortable putting my little one's success in my hands above any of the local "pros".[/QUOTE said:Thank you, FR. We are on the same page with this. I also noticed she had no back swing and BI is still just a concept. I originally had all the pitchers using Hillhouse's rock the baby and my DD got away from it. I'm not too concerned what she does but she needs that backswing to counter the foward push, like Mike says. One of the things we do in the basement is "pitch" to batters. I have painted a rectangle on the wall approximating the strike zone. She pitches and I do play by play and call strikes and balls. No pressure, obviously, but it does help her focus more and I believe it will help her mentally later on. Plus it puts some fun into practices.
I, too, believe that I can offer better lessons than what is available locally but in accepting this, I also accept that I continually need to get better. There are people on here who are shining stars and I'm still a BIC lighter.
SB45
Dad, Coach, Chauffeur
Number one thing I would say is to work on cutting down on the opening of the hips. HArd to tell completely, but her arm rotation/ball position looks decent. Looks like she brushes and internally rotates at times. The way she throws...if she does it pretty well, you should expect throws off to the right several feet. If you try to focus on her throwing strikes or to a target, I don't see it helping yet. Reduce the focus on hitting a target (throw into a net or tarp). Get away from any opening/closing terminology. Players respond to different words/teaching....I would try to keep the drive foot pointed more forward/come over the toe rather than turning the foot...try to keep the right knee coming forward...pointed more towards the target/not 3rd base.
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/knightsb99/te1_zpsnxfhtgo8.gif
http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k577/knightsb99/te1_zpsnxfhtgo8.gif
Thank you, SB. The pitching thing is for fun but she does need to start thinking about control at some point soon. I may be a little antsy but she will be pitching this year and she is nowhere near ready. Again, as you imply, there is NO presure on her to throw strikes. I also suspect I will be handling other pitchers, which is why I want to get this right.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Having to learn to pitch while pitching in games is probably why many still teach hello elbow!
