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6-4-3 = 2
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I recently had the pleasure of viewing all three videos, I am puzzled by a couple things, in the pushback video you state do not let the heel drop,
Absolutely. I've found that in training pitchers over the years, I can get their 'fast feet' moving better if they don't let the rear heel sink. You'll find that the whole premotion is a little smoother... less 'pauses', if you will. Also, I've found that the centering aspect and pawing aspects that I desire in pitching happen automatically this way... as the feet need to get moving.
... then in the two versions of two step videos you say drop the heel to get stretch, which I agree with.
Yep... because once the pitcher has the ingrained proper motions IN THE DRIVE LEG/FOOT AND TIMING OF THE BACKSWING/OVERLAP down, we can then use the 2-step to work on the articulations of the stride leg... which involves sinking the rear heel, and keeping it that way until the drive foot is ready to do work against the plate.
As you'll see, our thinking is along the same lines... in that we both recognize the importance of the what the legs do during the premotion. There is a true 'feeling' to the Pushback drill that I want the pitcher to feel... which is to get their body moving forward before they get too far into their backswing. By not sinking the stride heel... they are instructed to resist firmly with the stride leg... so that their body starts moving forward the moment that stride leg contacts the ground. IF... the heel sinks, they will not experience this correctly. IF... you do this correctly, you will undoubtedly feel rushed in your backswing... which as it sounds, you've not felt yet. I think you'll really be jazzed as to what this adds to the timing... and by performing repetition and making this drill her new motion, making the adjustments of training the stride leg in the 2-steps are relatively simple. Also... detachment from the rubber early is a result of establishing a forward lean/momentum early.
I find it hard to do the push back drill without dropping the stride leg heel, I think I'm not sequencing the drill properly, can you touch on when you activate or move the push foot during the push back drill.
**** VERY IMPORTANT****
Absolutely... as overlap is all about opposing motions, I find it very simple to tell the pitcher to start with their glove and throwing hand together at their waist. I tell them to begin the Pushback drill by sending their hands out to head level, together... WHILE stepping back... just like the pitcher in the video illustrates. Those motions are opposing... hands forward... stride leg back. Teaching 'overlap' became much easier for me once I discovered this handy way to begin the drill... as the rest, just happens.
One important note: During the backswing... make sure the arm straightens... I've seen a few people now do this with more of a bent elbow backswing (as it feels rushed), which can really screw up the timing.
Lastly, I get asked if pitchers dislike changing their premotion... and oddly, I've never had anyone opposed to it in session. My answer is simple for those that ask... it's a drill. It will make you a better pitcher. If that's what you want, the adjustment is easy.
Thanks for all your feedback! Really appreciate your contribution. ~JS
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