leg-slap bruising

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Dec 7, 2011
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Sorry if I am exhibiting my noob-ness here, and I don't want to stir up any debate on leg-slap good/bad but:

What has been anyones experience here with an effective leg-wrap <or?> to avoid leg-slap bruising?
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
I would look for something like a football pad, that would sort of form to the thigh. But, the real damage is done to the wrist of the thigh slapper, and I don't know how you avoid that. Good luck.
 
Mar 3, 2010
208
0
Suburb of Chicago, IL
My DD used to slap her leg a lot as well. She would finish a tournament with significant bruising. Obviously the fix is the stop slapping the leg. DD has worked hard over the past 12 months and has finally fixed the issue. It took time and a different pitching coach to point out what was wrong with her pitching style that was causing the swimming glove and leg slap.

In any event, in order to avoid the bruising, my DD simply used a good old Volleyball Knee Pad. She would get the large size, pull it up over her pants up to her thigh and turn the pad so that it was on the outside of the thigh. (See attached photo).

The one in the picture is white. We ran into one game where the other coach complained about the white one so she ended up getting a black one that matched her pants. Another option was to wear it under her pants, but she liked it over the pants as she could simply pull it up when she pitched and make adjustments as necessary. I also added to the photo a picture of her hitting with the pad still on. As you can see, she left it on her leg all game. It was comfortable.

Here is a link to a similar one online: MIZUNO VS-1 Volleyball Knee Pads - SportsAuthority.com

NOTE: We found that the basic old-school kneed pad worked best. The one pictured here is NOT the one she used. There are ones with fancy knee shaped pads, etc. If you go looking for one, think 1970's style knee pads.

Again, probably something you have already heard before, but DD shouldn't be hurting herself when pitching. The leg slap (in my opinion) should and could be corrected.

Hope this helps.
 

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Dec 7, 2011
2,368
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Thanks A in A.

Seems like when we are "in-season" that the thigh develops resilience to this (to a degree) but it's the ramp-back-up weeks that give my DD a tender basketball-sized contusion.
 
Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
Ahh - perfect Goobie.
I am on that solution!

Ya we have worked with (4) pitching coaches over the last year. Two were just single opportunistic moments with "acclaimed" pitching coaches, but the other two are her long-term PC and then her TB PC. All of these have not mentioned anything to her on reducing or eliminating the leg slap.

Through reading here for many months I took the initiative to tell my DD to try and stop this slapping but she thinks it takes away from her speed. (It also could very well be that the request is coming from her daddy too ..... :)

Thanks all - LOVE this site and you great informative folks with the same passions we have!
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,282
38
My dd just had lessons with Bill Hillhouse,and asked my daughter why she slaps her leg with her glove?My dd did not have a answer why,so he told her that it adds nothing to the pitch and it can also help the batter for timing.She is working on stopping it now.I have to go along with what Bill said IMO.
 
Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
Nano - curious - can you share the change steps that you are working on to get to that end of not having the slap?
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,282
38
My question is, has anyone ever seen a "leg slapper" in the WCWS or the NPFL?

I think cat slaps?I think she told the girls at a pitching clinic that my dd was at.I think thats when my dd started it right after that clinic.Cat is my dd idol.But just so no one thinks Cat says thats what you have to do,she didn't recommened it at all.
 

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