Thread: Please explain

Originally Posted by vdubya

We all seem to agree on 12 and 6. Let's start with that.

Next, we can all agree that a right handed pitcher's arm circle is a 'CLOCKWISE" direction. If there is any question about this, get off of your computer chair, stand up and actually do an arm circle as if delivering a pitch.

Ok, again we are in agreement.

When the hand is at 12 and it continues on the circle CLOCKWISE, it does not pass '9' before it gets to 6. For a right handed pitcher, the ball is towards second base when the arm is at 3 o'clock.

Need more proof? Get a dry erase marker and go to your bathroom. Draw a clock face on the mirror. Next put a ball in your hand and look at the clock. Now, hold up the ball to 12 o'clock. You, the pitcher are now open and at 12 o'clock. Continue from 12 to 6 in a normal right handed CLOCKWISE direction. Stop when you get halfway between 12 and 6. What time is it on that clock you drew?

This nonsense about telling someone that 3 o'clock is really 9 should change. Instructors, please start thinking in terms of what the kid is doing. When you tell her the ball is at nine o'clock when it is toward second base, you may as well also tell her it is in her left hand. She knows that both of these notions are wrong.

Nine is toward the catcher, three is toward second base; Unless you are a lefty...in which case your circle is counter-clockwise and second base is nine o'clock. Again, verify with your bathroom mirror.

VW

Sure, it's clockwise, IF you're the pitcher facing a clock. It's counter-clockwise if you're the instructor looking at the pitcher, or the pitcher with a clock on your chest. It depends on whether the pitcher wants to be the clock, or read the clock.

When I look at the photo provided of Jennie, the left shoe is on the foot that is to the right of the torso I am looking at it. However, I would never teach or refer to that stride foot as her 'right foot' just because that is how it appears from my point of view.

Now, let's go to the source for an answer to your question...Jennie, when you pitch... is your arm circle moving clockwise or counter-clockwise? Ask the same question to a brand new student...same answer.

If she says 'clockwise, then we should be referring to 3 o'clock as the arm position halfway between 12 and 6, yes? That is how a clock works, regardless of books, years of coaching experience, or because of 'that's how we've always done it-ness'.

I am not the least bit unhappy with other people. It is amusing that this terminology ever got twisted and accepted as correct years ago. Would you instructors humor me and have an open mind and do me one favor though? Go and find a kid who has never pitched or even played the game. Tell her to face a wall and hold her hand at 12 o'clock. Next ask her to move it clockwise to 6. Finally, tell her to touch 3 o'clock. Did she reach to her left hand side or her right hand side? Try this with ten or twenty more kids and see what they think.

Again, do the pitching motion yourself, or ask Jennie, or ask a new student...Is your arm moving clockwise or counter-clockwise?

As a STUDENT/PLAYER sees it is what counts! We use the clock terminology to simplify don't we? It does not simplify...it confuses...when we refer to THEIR three o'clock position as "nine."

Whatever you want to do is fine as long as instructor and student are on the same page. I'll still chuckle with the students at the curiously erroneous terminology, but no hard feelings!!

VW

Originally Posted by BoardMember

Ok, now there is big disagreement here and some people who aren't happy with other people........

So I'm really frustrated and would like this thread CLOSED because I've planed a trip to disneyland for a week........

(Lets see what happens........)

Besides........It appears Finch's arm is actually moving counter-clockwise if her body is the internal mechanism making "the hands move"..........



What'da think Vdub?

Board, have a super trip!!!

..........

I may have to cancel if this thread stays open..........

Well vdubya, you could say she strides toward 04:00 rather than reference the foot, since we are talking clock here. She is working her leg off until 4 o'clock and finally settles down about 04:30.

Determining or referring to where the arm is at what time. Wouldn't it depend on what time the game starts?

We have an air force base, here in Tucson, so it could also be ---

2. According to an imaginary clock dial with the observer at the center and 12 o'clock considered as straight ahead in horizontal position or straight up in vertical position. Used to indicate relative position: enemy planes at 10 o'clock.

And then, on a similar post someone suggested that we use 90 degrees, 180 degrees, etc.