Two infield throwing questions regarding technique

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May 9, 2019
294
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My DD who is a pitcher needs to find another position as a back up.

First, personally when I throw, I've always had a bit of a sideways rotation to the ball based on the way I release. It's worked well for me and I can throw accurately etc. However it is my understanding that the ball should have a 12-6 rotation instead. Is that the hard set rule? Or can there be variance with success?
My DD throws with 12-6 but I'm wondering if I can improve things changing the spin a bit

Second, when should, if ever, I teach my DD a side arm throw? I've flirted with it a little to show her but she was very inconsistent.

Can she be a good third basemen without learning how to throw side arm? If not, should I teach her that now? She's 9yo btw.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
My DD who is a pitcher needs to find another position as a back up.

First, personally when I throw, I've always had a bit of a sideways rotation to the ball based on the way I release. It's worked well for me and I can throw accurately etc. However it is my understanding that the ball should have a 12-6 rotation instead. Is that the hard set rule? Or can there be variance with success?
My DD throws with 12-6 but I'm wondering if I can improve things changing the spin a bit

Second, when should, if ever, I teach my DD a side arm throw? I've flirted with it a little to show her but she was very inconsistent.

Can she be a good third basemen without learning how to throw side arm? If not, should I teach her that now? She's 9yo btw.
I like 12-6 for outfielders.. infield either or IMO. My DD is 3/4 and she use to play infield (3B), now CF. Personally I find pitchers to some of the most athletic kids on the team, not always, but generally. So they are normally well suited for SS and CF. However, if I had a DD for a pitcher I want her playing a less exhausting position as her back up.. I am thinking 3rd or 1st. Pitching/catching takes a lot out of a player. That's just my opinion and I could be way out in left field because I don't have a kid that pitches. I did have one that caught and she played RF as well
 
May 9, 2019
294
43
I like 12-6 for outfielders.. infield either or IMO. My DD is 3/4 and she use to play infield (3B), now CF. Personally I find pitchers to some of the most athletic kids on the team, not always, but generally. So they are normally well suited for SS and CF. However, if I had a DD for a pitcher I want her playing a less exhausting position as her back up.. I am thinking 3rd or 1st. Pitching/catching takes a lot out of a player. That's just my opinion and I could be way out in left field because I don't have a kid that pitches. I did have one that caught and she played RF as well

So by 3/4, you mean kind of a diagonal spin? That's more what I personally use when I throw. For an outfielder I can see why 12/6 is optimal.

Any thoughts on the side arm? Should it be used, and if so is it ever too early to teach it?
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
So by 3/4, you mean kind of a diagonal spin? That's more what I personally use when I throw. For an outfielder I can see why 12/6 is optimal.

Any thoughts on the side arm? Should it be used, and if so is it ever too early to teach it?
By 3/4 I mean halfway between side arm and Top down thrower. I'm not speaking about spin. But there will be some side spin evident in a 3/4 thrower... so yes diagonal. I don't think there's any reason to force side arm, however during some scenarios it's very useful. Personally if your DD has a good arm from 12/6, why not stick with it, no reason to force side arm IMO.. I'm not an instructor, just speaking from experience
 
May 9, 2019
294
43
By 3/4 I mean halfway between side arm and Top down thrower. I'm not speaking about spin. But there will be some side spin evident in a 3/4 thrower... so yes diagonal. I don't think there's any reason to force side arm, however during some scenarios it's very useful. Personally if your DD has a good arm from 12/6, why not stick with it, no reason to force side arm IMO.. I'm not an instructor, just speaking from experience

Well from what I've gathered, there are situations where a side arm throw is appropriate. It allows for a quicker release while on the run etc.
 
May 9, 2019
294
43
Yep that's what I said

Right.. but since you said why switch from 12/6 to a side arm, I was trying to explain that I'm not trying to switch her arm slot release, I'm trying to teach her additional tools that would assist in various situations, such as side arm.

Also just to be clear to others, since I see now I wasn't in my original post,

my first question is specific to ball rotation, not arm slot on release.
So it's not a question of should the ball be thrown side arm or not.

The second question is about ball release.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Right.. but since you said why switch from 12/6 to a side arm, I was trying to explain that I'm not trying to switch her arm slot release, I'm trying to teach her additional tools that would assist in various situations, such as side arm.

Also just to be clear to others, since I see now I wasn't in my original post,

my first question is specific to ball rotation, not arm slot on release.
So it's not a question of should the ball be thrown side arm or not.

The second question is about ball release.
My apologies I thought you wanted her to be permanently side arm.. this is what I said earlier

" I don't think there's any reason to force side arm, however during some scenarios it's very useful. "
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
My DD who is a pitcher needs to find another position as a back up.

First, personally when I throw, I've always had a bit of a sideways rotation to the ball based on the way I release. It's worked well for me and I can throw accurately etc. However it is my understanding that the ball should have a 12-6 rotation instead. Is that the hard set rule? Or can there be variance with success?
My DD throws with 12-6 but I'm wondering if I can improve things changing the spin a bit

Second, when should, if ever, I teach my DD a side arm throw? I've flirted with it a little to show her but she was very inconsistent.

Can she be a good third basemen without learning how to throw side arm? If not, should I teach her that now? She's 9yo btw.
Teach her how to throw correctly first and the rest (e.g. spin) will take care of itself. See Wasserman's stuff.

In terms of throwing sidearm, at 3B it won't be used as much as MI but there are some balls (in particular bunts) where throwing from a lower armslot will be helpful. Plus she is 9, she may end up in the MI at some point. I would just play around with it now when you playing catch. Be ready to chase the ball at first ;)
 

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