Coaching I/R and HE pitchers on same team?

I'm coaching the 12U rec team this spring. I've converted my daughter to I/R as I believe that is the only way to pitch. However, I have 2 other pitchers on the team that are HE pitchers.

Even if I could convince their parents that they should switch - no time to make that change by start of season and I need all 3.

Should I become an "expert" on HE so I can still help those girls this season - even though I think it's wrong?

I don't want to confuse my daughter when she hears me telling them - "Finish high, close the door and work on your wrist snaps"

But I still need to "coach" those girls.

P

I would stick to the basics. Posture, confidence, use the legs, etc... I know with my dd we work hard every week to get better at pitching. It would frustrate me as a dad if someone that sees her pitch on a limited amount of time is teaching her something that I have been working to correct. Not saying you are wrong or right. Talk to the parents. Most will listen and be open to telling you what they think. It is only rec ball. They may just want to play and be happy with where they are.

CoachPat said:

I'm coaching the 12U rec team this spring. I've converted my daughter to I/R as I believe that is the only way to pitch. However, I have 2 other pitchers on the team that are HE pitchers.

Even if I could convince their parents that they should switch - no time to make that change by start of season and I need all 3.

Should I become an "expert" on HE so I can still help those girls this season - even though I think it's wrong?

But I still need to "coach" those girls.

P

Click to expand...

No you don't have to become an expert on HE. And if they have Pitching Coaches you don't have to coach pitching skills regarding technique especially during games. You can work on inside/outside/up/down/changing pitch type... but mechanically that is between them and their pitching coach.

Either they can execute the pitches being called and are successful or they can't. Your advice can be as simple as "What would your PC say to fix <<issue>>"
If they are not being successful during a game and are struggling to fix it, then bring a new pitcher in.

Video them and see if they might be throwing with I/R but finishing with H/E. More than likely they have some I/R in every throw. Sneak in I/R a little at a time. It doesn't have to be an overhaul. You can slowly introduce concepts that work away from H/E. For instance, instead of really working on their hand turning over you can first get them to quit forcing the H/E and just let the hand do what it does. Nice and relaxed, long and in front of them. Then, maybe let them just play catch properly underhanded. Let it work into their mechanics by introducing it in drills, but not drilling it into their heads when they step on the pitching rubber. Once they get comfortable with that then you can point out that they are already on their way to better mechanics, and start throwing some concepts at them that work more on I/R.

There is nothing you can do in the limited time you have as a coach. The best thing you can do is try to gently educate the parents.

I agree with commish, unless asked by a parent, I stay out of the business of pitching mechanics especially if they have a PC, last thing I would want is a coach who believes in HE to change my DDs I/R.

- Focus on building her confidence (goes beyond the game of SB)
- Let her know you believe in her and her abilities
- Tell her to relax and breath
- "What would your PC say to fix <>" marriard

I'd leave the girls alone. If you feel strongly about it, talk with the parents. Just remember, when you do talk to them, even though it isn't what you're saying they are likely to hear something along the lines of "You're wasting your money! Your pitching coach doesn't know what she/he is talking about! My daughter is a better pitcher than yours!"

Delicate conversation. Be careful.

Maybe a brief email with the link to the I/R in the classroom thread? Something along the lines of how many people have found it helpful in getting their daughters to a higher level of pitching? Then it's not like, hey, you're all wrong, but here's something that could help you improve what you've already got. Of course, if they actually read it they'll probably realize they're all wrong on their own. But that's different from having someone tell you that flat out.

I really dislike people interfering with what we're teaching our kids, whether it's pitching or hitting or something else. So I'd probably keep it general out of respect for what they're trying to do, maybe some subtle instruction but not trying to teach them something totally different. But I wouldn't try to get into HE either. Actually that might be a good transition into the conversation; sorry I'm not able to give more specific coaching on your dd's pitching. The style I've used to teach my daughter is different and I don't want to confuse yours. But if you'd like more info here's a link...

Should note - I have 6 girls that have either never played FP or have less than 2 months of FP (Fall ball only). I have (0) travel players on my team. We have (3) 12U teams in the community and I have the "developmental" team. The other teams have 5-6 travel players each. I'm almost positive neither pitcher has a PC they just attend the community offered pitching clinics (HE).

I start the year by explaining to the parents, here is what I teach, here is why I teach it and if you don't want me change anything your daughter is doing - just let me know. This highlights a bigger issue in community ball (at least ours) in that there is no consistency in what is taught as the girls move thru the ranks. Every coach at every level teaches what they believe in or what they read - no direction from the association. I've recommended, pushed and offered to create an agreed upon standard that could be implemented for all players and provided and taught to all the volunteer coaches. It's being evaluated but will not be acted on anytime soon. I've tried to tie it in to what the MS and HS coach are teaching so the girls are familiar and ready by the time they get to him, but the association and coach aren't getting a long right now! I've had coaches on the same team during the same practice tell my DD how to take the throw on a steal at 3rd base differently.

This issue is more than just HE vs IR, it's hitting (some still swear by squish the bug), throwing, fielding, sliding, strategy, etc.)

I feel my goal and responsibility as the rec coach is to make each girl better than they were when they started the season and for them to have fun playing. I guess my question is - how do you make them better if everyone has learned/is learning something different from other coaches, parents, etc?