I have been teaching softball pitching for quite a while. My major pitching influences/teachers are Doug Gillis, Ron Bouldin, and Bill Hillhouse, of course Jenny Finch. My question is regarding the stride.
I see many pitchers taught a violent leaping motion off the rubber. they are, taught to keep the trail foot on the ground, but it is very explosive. This is the leap and drag method. Many years ago I watched Doug Gillis pitch a laser across almost the entire length of a gym floor with a casual leg motion that was more of an up-down rhythm and snap. This is the step style. I pitch more of the step style...very rhythmic and builds from slow to fast, the same way a baseball pitcher does.
I teach my clients to be sure that they stride high and allow their stride length to "evolve" naturally rather than a violent leaping action. I know that both of these styles are successful but I feel like a natural, controlled up with a violent downward motion of the stride is safer and uses the entire length of the body. to generate speed.
When I try to leap and drag, I find myself planting and then coming down and forcing the ball with my arm...rather than being loose and snapping.
I would appreciate any input that you smart people can give me. If I can teach itbetter, I want to.
Thanks
I see many pitchers taught a violent leaping motion off the rubber. they are, taught to keep the trail foot on the ground, but it is very explosive. This is the leap and drag method. Many years ago I watched Doug Gillis pitch a laser across almost the entire length of a gym floor with a casual leg motion that was more of an up-down rhythm and snap. This is the step style. I pitch more of the step style...very rhythmic and builds from slow to fast, the same way a baseball pitcher does.
I teach my clients to be sure that they stride high and allow their stride length to "evolve" naturally rather than a violent leaping action. I know that both of these styles are successful but I feel like a natural, controlled up with a violent downward motion of the stride is safer and uses the entire length of the body. to generate speed.
When I try to leap and drag, I find myself planting and then coming down and forcing the ball with my arm...rather than being loose and snapping.
I would appreciate any input that you smart people can give me. If I can teach itbetter, I want to.
Thanks