Can't find any brush instructors

[Sweet Lou]

I don't think that's true with all change-ups. I'm having success with one of my pitchers throwing a knuckle change just like she does her fastball. Catching for her I see her really selling it as it looks just like her fastball delivery, brush and all.

Agree. There is more than one way to skin a cat. DD's PC just prefers that method and it seems to be working for DD right now but she's admittedly just starting what I hope will be a long pitching odyssey.

 

[Classof2020]

Looks like Escobedo might get a bit of brush -

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.town...1e0-af36-001cc4c002e0/4dee8d390c0ef.image.jpg

http://www.thesundevils.com/pics33/800/QR/QRZXUAJGTVLBHLC.20130510012008.jpeg

 

[Softballs]

I can't believe it, but I have to agree with OILF on this one. Brush is not an absolute imo. Is it helpful to some pitchers? (many of them being high lvl) yes, absoulutely. Is it a requirement for being a high level pitcher? Probably not.

Every pitcher has their own style, what works for some may not work for others.

My interpretation of brush is to aid in the timing of release, nothing more. I believe that a pitcher that has a consistent release point will be more accurate. Brush aids in developing a consistent release point.

There is no doubt that there are varying degrees of "brush" among the top pitchers. Heck go look at the model pitchers sticky, there are many different styles captured on these vids, and you can bet that all of these pitchers have been successful, or else they wouldnt be in that thread.

On another note, I have always wondered how a younger pitcher that has been taught brush mechanics transitions into her new body when she goes through puberty. What happens then? Do the wider hips get smacked more?

 

[JJsqueeze]

just one...just one specific example of a high level pitcher not using brush. literally every time I look at a pitcher I think is really good I see the brush.

 

[riseball]

I can't believe it, but I have to agree with OILF on this one. Brush is not an absolute imo. Is it helpful to some pitchers? (many of them being high lvl) yes, absoulutely. Is it a requirement for being a high level pitcher? Probably not.

Every pitcher has their own style, what works for some may not work for others.

My interpretation of brush is to aid in the timing of release, nothing more. I believe that a pitcher that has a consistent release point will be more accurate. Brush aids in developing a consistent release point.

There is no doubt that there are varying degrees of "brush" among the top pitchers. Heck go look at the model pitchers sticky, there are many different styles captured on these vids, and you can bet that all of these pitchers have been successful, or else they wouldnt be in that thread.

On another note, I have always wondered how a younger pitcher that has been taught brush mechanics transitions into her new body when she goes through puberty. What happens then? Do the wider hips get smacked more?

You are correct, brush interference is not an absolute. There are few if any absolutes, but there are best practices. Anyone with even a basic understanding of fastpitch mechanics appreciates the value of brush interference and would consider it a best practice. It is a proven method which elite PC's and pitchers embrace. It is up to each individual coach and pitcher to decide if they want to accept and utilize methods which are proven to be successful. If they decide to use these best practices then they will have a greater opportunity for success. If not, may they find solace in the knowledge that they failed on their own terms doing it their way. However, only a fool would assert that such a proven best practice is not worthy because they could not find somebody talking about in detail on YouTube.

 

[Ken B]

A google search using the keywords, "brush hip release softball pitching" will reveal that brush is taught by a number of PC's and academies:

Here's a sample from the first couple pages of results:

www.elitesportslv.com/camps-clinics/softballPitchingMechanics.pdf
Rita Lynn Gilman's Common Softball Problems
Softball Pitching: Correcting High & Low Pitches - Softball Spot : Softball Spot
Your Resource for everything Sports | Teamsnap | skills-drills | softball | softball-pitching | 525-5-softball-pitching-tips-to-make-you-successful
http://78pyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Softball-Windmill-Pitching-Motion-1-08.pdf
Pitching Fundamentals
Pitching Mechanics Check List
Fastpitch Softball Talk: Softball Pitching 10 Basics You need to Know

 

[Rocketech1]

Before reading it here at DFP, I never even thought of brush interference but when I slo-mo video of my DD she definitely gets some "brush" just prior to release. No one has ever taught her this, but she figured it out on her own. that keeping the elbow and arm close to the body has given her good command of her pitches and I'm sure added velocity. Now I'm curious if she "brushes" on her flip change....?

 

[Doug Romrell]

I can't believe it, but I have to agree with OILF on this one. Brush is not an absolute imo. Is it helpful to some pitchers? (many of them being high lvl) yes, absoulutely. Is it a requirement for being a high level pitcher? Probably not.

Every pitcher has their own style, what works for some may not work for others.

My interpretation of brush is to aid in the timing of release, nothing more. I believe that a pitcher that has a consistent release point will be more accurate. Brush aids in developing a consistent release point.

There is no doubt that there are varying degrees of "brush" among the top pitchers. Heck go look at the model pitchers sticky, there are many different styles captured on these vids, and you can bet that all of these pitchers have been successful, or else they wouldnt be in that thread.

On another note, I have always wondered how a younger pitcher that has been taught brush mechanics transitions into her new body when she goes through puberty. What happens then? Do the wider hips get smacked more?

Who gets to decide if an action is or is not an "absolute?"

I'm starting to see this "absolute" word as over used as the words "fair" or "right."

 

[Rocketech1]

Who gets to decide if an action is or is not an "absolute?"

I'm starting to see this "absolute" word as over used as the words "fair" or "right."

There are definitely some pitching motions that are absolutes and others that are more stylistic. Maybe a better term is "common characteristics" of the best pitchers' motions; techniques that are proven over time to be very effective. I like the concept of the Hanson Principle, the more slo-mo video you analyze of the best in the game, the better the ability to see these "common characteristics".

 

[Doug Romrell]

There are definitely some pitching motions that are absolutes and others that are more stylistic. Maybe a better term is "common characteristics" of the best pitchers' motions; techniques that are proven over time to be very effective. I like the concept of the Hanson Principle, the more slo-mo video you analyze of the best in the game, the better the ability to see these "common characteristics".

Well, we certainly don't want someone with a severe case of cataracts being the eyes that determine what the absolutes are.