There are some people whose physiology is simply set up to have speed. Check on what Ty Stofflet had going for him, regards height, arm length, strength, etc.
jim
jim
What Creates Speed?
- Thread starter David B
- Start date
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Look it's so simple. Speed is everything. A junk ball/movement pitcher throwing 50's is no match for junk ball/movement pitcher throwing 60's. If your relying on speed just on fastball your in deep 'stuff'.
I greatly appreciate the postings.
For the immediate future, we will work on IR and slowing the upper arm rotation while getting the lower arm to whip through. I have re-re-read the IR thread, so I believe I know what we're looking for. Currently, DD pushes the ball (palm down) with a straight arm and snaps up - just like she was taught. Given this, I'm surprised she throws as hard as she does. I have a feeling that this will be difficult for her, but if we can learn the correct IR move, it seems like it will go a long way toward getting us to our objective.
BTW - In response to one of the posts, we live in the suburbs of Washington DC. I know that there are qualified instructors in the area that effectively teach what I would consider to be higher level mechanics. If a student already throws with the IR mechanics, I imagine that these instructors can do a good job of building on that foundation. But to my knowledge (and certainly in my experience), they aren't teaching IR. And IR seems to be so fundamental to pitching mechanics that if a kid does not have the IR mechanics down pat, or is not in the process of mastering IR, then additional instruction on other components of the pitching motion seems to be a waste of time and energy. I'll continue to look.
Thanks again for the posts.
For the immediate future, we will work on IR and slowing the upper arm rotation while getting the lower arm to whip through. I have re-re-read the IR thread, so I believe I know what we're looking for. Currently, DD pushes the ball (palm down) with a straight arm and snaps up - just like she was taught. Given this, I'm surprised she throws as hard as she does. I have a feeling that this will be difficult for her, but if we can learn the correct IR move, it seems like it will go a long way toward getting us to our objective.
BTW - In response to one of the posts, we live in the suburbs of Washington DC. I know that there are qualified instructors in the area that effectively teach what I would consider to be higher level mechanics. If a student already throws with the IR mechanics, I imagine that these instructors can do a good job of building on that foundation. But to my knowledge (and certainly in my experience), they aren't teaching IR. And IR seems to be so fundamental to pitching mechanics that if a kid does not have the IR mechanics down pat, or is not in the process of mastering IR, then additional instruction on other components of the pitching motion seems to be a waste of time and energy. I'll continue to look.
Thanks again for the posts.
- Mar 3, 2010
- 5
- 0
Essential components to speed
One of the most primary and essential components involved in generating consistent speed is the wrist snap. Think for a moment about the primary mechanical difference between a fastball and a change-up. One is not supposed to slow her arm down or change her leg drive for a change up. This would result in "broadcasting" the pitch. Therefore, just by removing the snap or creating a slow backspin, we are removing ten to fifteen miles per hour. If speed is inconsistent, start working with a spinner or some snap drills to make a full range-of-motion wrist snap as natural as breathing.
After mastering the snap, a long and fluid arm circle is necessary. Arm speed is wonderful as long as the arm circle stays on a line towards the target. I have seen some girls try to throw their hearts out, but as soon as that circle shortens up substantially or goes offline, it becomes increasingly difficult to generate speed and power. Younger girls are especially prone to this type of problem.
Leg drive can add an amazing amount of speed as long as it is executed correctly. The plant leg should be at forty-five degrees and on a line extending from the push leg. The push leg must maintain contact with the ground but come as far from the pitching rubber as possible while the plant leg is still in the air. The drag should be forceful and not come out too far behind the body. The drag leg should basically support the action of the wrist and follow-through.
Once you are absolutely certain that your daughter is doing a mechanically sound pitch, she can probably start doing some power drills (or speed drills). These will help her to move her body faster once she has sound mechanical execution. There are many different speed drills (throw and run, double circles, etc.), but you will probably have to experiment to find the ones that produce the best results for her. Good luck!
Secrets of the Diamond
One of the most primary and essential components involved in generating consistent speed is the wrist snap. Think for a moment about the primary mechanical difference between a fastball and a change-up. One is not supposed to slow her arm down or change her leg drive for a change up. This would result in "broadcasting" the pitch. Therefore, just by removing the snap or creating a slow backspin, we are removing ten to fifteen miles per hour. If speed is inconsistent, start working with a spinner or some snap drills to make a full range-of-motion wrist snap as natural as breathing.
After mastering the snap, a long and fluid arm circle is necessary. Arm speed is wonderful as long as the arm circle stays on a line towards the target. I have seen some girls try to throw their hearts out, but as soon as that circle shortens up substantially or goes offline, it becomes increasingly difficult to generate speed and power. Younger girls are especially prone to this type of problem.
Leg drive can add an amazing amount of speed as long as it is executed correctly. The plant leg should be at forty-five degrees and on a line extending from the push leg. The push leg must maintain contact with the ground but come as far from the pitching rubber as possible while the plant leg is still in the air. The drag should be forceful and not come out too far behind the body. The drag leg should basically support the action of the wrist and follow-through.
Once you are absolutely certain that your daughter is doing a mechanically sound pitch, she can probably start doing some power drills (or speed drills). These will help her to move her body faster once she has sound mechanical execution. There are many different speed drills (throw and run, double circles, etc.), but you will probably have to experiment to find the ones that produce the best results for her. Good luck!
Secrets of the Diamond
I agree that wrist snap is definitely a speed generating part of fastpitch. Others disagree.I attended a Rick and Sarah Pauly coaches clinic and was told wrist snap only accounted for 1% of speed generated. I disagreed with that assumption, but someone previously posted that he had a girl wear a bowlers glove to restrict the wrist snap. His daughter has a very aggresive wrist snap. I agree with you.
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I would disagree with this. I'm pitching in my local A grade comp and have pitched to state league level (in Australia) and I didn't start pitching until I was eighteen years old. I'm currently working with a 15 year old who hasn't played softball before and while its a tad harder she is turning out to be a very good pitcher. Age helps, but someone who pitches when they're older isn't automaticlly a bad pitcher who can't learn mechanics.
I would argue that this is the exception, not the rule. Had she been practicing and game tested since 8U, I have to believe these experiences would have made her an even better pitcher by the time she reached college than pickng up pitching in high school.
- Oct 12, 2009
- 1,460
- 0
I can't tell you how many professional baseball players didn't start pitching until later on in HS or even in college, generally due to an overuse-related injury to someone who had been pitching since they were a young kid.
You could make a small argument that it's different for FP since the mechanics aren't as similar, but I really don't buy it.
Generally, if you've got it, you've got it.
Regarding the wrist snap, I believe that consciously trying to snap the wrist is not only a waste of time but will actually make you slower. That doesn't mean the wrist snap isn't important - it is. But it's important in the sense that it needs to be fast, and executed with a great deal of suddeness. That requires keeping it loose so the other parts of the arm can create its speed.
Think of it this way: I think we'd all agree that keeping the wrist stiff, or holding it "cupped" so it can't move, will produce the least speed. After that would come using the puny wrist muscles to try to move it. You just can't move it that fast consciously. But if you keep it loose, and get the upper arm to slow down so the lower arm can whip by, that violent whipping motion will create the fastest (and thus most beneficial) wrist snap.
Think of it this way: I think we'd all agree that keeping the wrist stiff, or holding it "cupped" so it can't move, will produce the least speed. After that would come using the puny wrist muscles to try to move it. You just can't move it that fast consciously. But if you keep it loose, and get the upper arm to slow down so the lower arm can whip by, that violent whipping motion will create the fastest (and thus most beneficial) wrist snap.
