- Aug 20, 2013
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So we started and it seems to be going ok. However, she seems to be stumped on when to actually "throw" the ball in the motion. Any thoughts on how she can "feel" when to throw it?
Training the release phase for an internal rotator is MUCH more complicated because of the nature of the "beast". He/She is not only dealing with High/Low, but because of the I/R in the forearm/wrist, and the acceleration that occurs because of it......We must deal with left right AND high low. It's SO MUCH EASIER to be a pitching coach who does NOT teach I/R believe me......And that's why there's SO MANY of those out there........
So how do we train an I/R release phase that both controls the high/low, AND the in/out as well. We must train them to release the ball "mid-snap" so to speak. In order to accomplish this, we must get them thinking about release BEFORE mid-snap. Because IF they release the ball AFTER mid-snap, (turn the ball over) they MISS the acceleration phase of I/R. The best way I've found to accomplish this is to "work into" the mid-point, vs. trying to work "back out of it". Working INTO mid-snap would have the ball releasing EARLIER then later.
IOW........I try to get my students to MISS RIGHT (RH'r) FIRST vs. holding on to the ball through mid-snap and turning it over left (RH'r) without "catching" the added velocity of angular acceleration. I accomplish this my making sure I have opposites. IE the forearm/wrist turning over toward the LH batter, and the ball spinning right toward the RH batter (RH'r). This tells me that the student is working INTO the snap during the learning process. And hasn't "missed the whip" so to speak. This is why I love to get calls from people asking me to take a look at a student who "constantly misses right" (RH'r). IE "My DD is constantly hitter batters"........What does that tell me IF everything else is basically correct?........I HAVE A POTENTIAL FLAME THROWER!
So, bottom line is WHEN TRAINING I/R........Get the ball turning toward the RH batter as the forearm/wrist are turning through toward the LH batter.........
It's hard to accomplish this from the "lock it in drill" but NOT impossible. My best advise is to find a concrete wall and have the student throw a ball underhand from close range until she can get the ball turning right and the forearm and wrist turning left (RH'r)......You can stand off to the side and retrieve early releases and return the ball to the student so that many training throws can be made in one session......
The goal is to accomplish this action and still throw the ball straight ahead, bouncing back to her, vs. loosing it to the right. Believe it or not, the body WILL ADAPT the sequence to spinning it right (RH'r) but THROWING IT STRAIGHT.
BULLET SPIN IS NOT THE GOAL.......INWARD/FORWARD SPIN is the goal........."Catching the Whip"........
This is a view of proper spin from a RH'd pitcher. IF we can catch this spin as the forearm/wrist turns through, we're in really good shape:
GatorGirl, This is a segment from the I/R in the Classroom thread. I found it was incredibly helpful for my DD.
Stop Staring At Me! It's creepin me out just a little! LOL!
At least "blink" once in a while ok?
As long as all else is as it should be, the release point takes care of itself. The important points are: elbow leading and palm up during the downswing, elbow pausing at the ribs and a loose whip.Are we saying to have them release the ball in the middle of the rotation? It that what mid-snap means?