Leap and drag Vs. Step

[bigdaddy]

Coach,

We often run into trouble when we use terms without an agreed upon definition. The terms become useless...like 'rotational hitting'.

What you describe as stepping sounds right to me. I agree that too many pitchers drive so hard off the rubber that they become disconnected. IOW, the momentum they develop in their lower half is lost when they land and is not available to be transferred.

Keith

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Here's an example. Is it leap and drag or step? YouTube - Caitlin

 

[Mark H]

Sub optimal effort leap and drag.

 

[SoftballGirl#18]

Hopefuly this answers your question

My pitching coach has worked with Lisa Fernades, Cat Osterman, and ect. He tells me to kick the pumpkin off the post. This is like an up, out, push, and drag. The higher and stronger you kick your leg the more effective your pitch will be. Idk I hope this answers your question.

 

[halskinner]

My pitching coach has worked with Lisa Fernades, Cat Osterman, and ect. He tells me to kick the pumpkin off the post. This is like an up, out, push, and drag. The higher and stronger you kick your leg the more effective your pitch will be. Idk I hope this answers your question.

Many coaches claim to have worked with Lisa, Cat, etc..

Who is YOUR coach??

 

[ifubuildit]

Hal

If she is dropping those names its probably Ernie Parker.

 

[ifubuildit]

This is an interesting conversation

In that I have recently been working with a young lady out in California who was doing the leap and drag. It had the timing of her motion so out of sync that she lost all sense of balance during the leap and when she landed her arm was no where near the 1:00 position at toe touch. It got pretty ugly.

Here is the kicker. This girl was 12 going on 13 and was thin as a rail. She didnt have the strength or stability to pull this movement off ala Jenny Finch. Some instructor did try to get her there but only succeeded in messing her up for a few months.

Make sure you understand the direction your headed with your instructor. Ask them to produce a development plan for your daughter and if they cannot produce one then be wary of what your daughter is being taught.

Elliott

 

[halskinner]

If she is dropping those names its probably Ernie Parker.

Using the description the young lady is giving, I find that unlikely. I would be very surprised because I know what step style she is describing. I dont believe Ernie teaches that.

Hal

 

[jofus13]

My DD's pitching instructor had her pitch a few before he told her anything in her first ever class (about 2 years ago), then he showed her both styles, had her pitch a few each way, watched her, asked her what felt comfortable, etc.

She ended up pitching L and D, btw. One of the key elements on L and D is timing. He really has her concentrate on where her pitching hand is in the windmill when her stride foot lands, for example.

 

[Ken Krause]

From what I have seen (and taught), it isn't the aggressive forward movement alone that generates the speed. It's also the blocking of the front side that stops the body but allows the arm to swing freely (whip).

Think of what happens when you're driving along a little too quickly down the road, then suddenly have to slam on the brakes. What happens to your body? It lurches forward, accelerated by the sudden stop. If you hit the car in front of you, which creates a more sudden stop, your body lurches forward faster and more violently. The faster you were going before you slammed on the brakes, the faster you will move forward.

It's the same with pitching. Your body is the car. The more quickly and powerfully it moves forward, the more momentum it generates. When the stride foot lands it's like slamming on the brakes. The arm is the "passenger" lurching forward after the sudden stop (as long as it remains loose).