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- Oct 2, 2017
- 2,283
- 113
Mine says I'm obsessed.Oh, yes, I am. Just ask my DW!
- Jun 8, 2016
- 16,118
- 113
I have heard that word, too. More than once. Probably a lot more than once.
My default answer is, as you already mentioned, just playing catch underhand.
But to really be able to help her - you have to try to figure it out for yourself as well. I'm 12-18 months into the process myself - and if nothing else, it's let me appreciate even more how far my own daughter has come during that same time. That doesn't mean what works for you will work for her, but it at least gives you a better reference point than trying to translate "pitcher"-perfect mechanics from a video straight to your daughter. Because as I'm sure you're aware - "Just do [this]" is easier said than done!
To better understand the feel for yourself, the BoardMember video of him swinging the bat back and forth is a good demonstration of going from palm up to palm down. I also like it b/c it's a drill you can have anyone do, and not really have to explain anything ahead of time. (OK - maybe this is the one exception to when "just do this" actually works?).
You may have already come across references to skipping rocks. I've skipped rocks all my life, but for me, that motion just didn't translate at all into an effective underhand motion. But it must work for some people, b/c I keep seeing it as a suggestion (One of the Ken's on DFP has a slow motion video via the link in his signature line). Don't be afraid to try different things, b/c you never know what's going to stick.
If you don't already have some, get a few of the 10" Easton Incrediball to use (or 12", but IIRC, she's 9?). I don't have anywhere to really hang a tarp, so the incrediball ("squishy" softball - it's the standard ball our league uses until 4th grade) is great for throwing against the brick wall at the local school. Depending on your glove skills, it's also much more forgiving on your shins.
Lastly - keep her relaxed during all the drills. She's probably going to want to just windup and start muscling it in there - and that's when you'll see the straight, locked out arm and monkey-butting that you're trying to avoid. If she can stay relaxed, and just "let the whip happen", you just might get to hear her admit "wow - did you see how fast that was - I wasn't even trying to throw it hard!"
But to really be able to help her - you have to try to figure it out for yourself as well. I'm 12-18 months into the process myself - and if nothing else, it's let me appreciate even more how far my own daughter has come during that same time. That doesn't mean what works for you will work for her, but it at least gives you a better reference point than trying to translate "pitcher"-perfect mechanics from a video straight to your daughter. Because as I'm sure you're aware - "Just do [this]" is easier said than done!
To better understand the feel for yourself, the BoardMember video of him swinging the bat back and forth is a good demonstration of going from palm up to palm down. I also like it b/c it's a drill you can have anyone do, and not really have to explain anything ahead of time. (OK - maybe this is the one exception to when "just do this" actually works?).
You may have already come across references to skipping rocks. I've skipped rocks all my life, but for me, that motion just didn't translate at all into an effective underhand motion. But it must work for some people, b/c I keep seeing it as a suggestion (One of the Ken's on DFP has a slow motion video via the link in his signature line). Don't be afraid to try different things, b/c you never know what's going to stick.
If you don't already have some, get a few of the 10" Easton Incrediball to use (or 12", but IIRC, she's 9?). I don't have anywhere to really hang a tarp, so the incrediball ("squishy" softball - it's the standard ball our league uses until 4th grade) is great for throwing against the brick wall at the local school. Depending on your glove skills, it's also much more forgiving on your shins.
Lastly - keep her relaxed during all the drills. She's probably going to want to just windup and start muscling it in there - and that's when you'll see the straight, locked out arm and monkey-butting that you're trying to avoid. If she can stay relaxed, and just "let the whip happen", you just might get to hear her admit "wow - did you see how fast that was - I wasn't even trying to throw it hard!"
- Oct 2, 2017
- 2,283
- 113
My default answer is, as you already mentioned, just playing catch underhand.
But to really be able to help her - you have to try to figure it out for yourself as well. I'm 12-18 months into the process myself - and if nothing else, it's let me appreciate even more how far my own daughter has come during that same time. That doesn't mean what works for you will work for her, but it at least gives you a better reference point than trying to translate "pitcher"-perfect mechanics from a video straight to your daughter. Because as I'm sure you're aware - "Just do [this]" is easier said than done!
To better understand the feel for yourself, the BoardMember video of him swinging the bat back and forth is a good demonstration of going from palm up to palm down. I also like it b/c it's a drill you can have anyone do, and not really have to explain anything ahead of time. (OK - maybe this is the one exception to when "just do this" actually works?).
You may have already come across references to skipping rocks. I've skipped rocks all my life, but for me, that motion just didn't translate at all into an effective underhand motion. But it must work for some people, b/c I keep seeing it as a suggestion (One of the Ken's on DFP has a slow motion video via the link in his signature line). Don't be afraid to try different things, b/c you never know what's going to stick.
If you don't already have some, get a few of the 10" Easton Incrediball to use (or 12", but IIRC, she's 9?). I don't have anywhere to really hang a tarp, so the incrediball ("squishy" softball - it's the standard ball our league uses until 4th grade) is great for throwing against the brick wall at the local school. Depending on your glove skills, it's also much more forgiving on your shins.
Lastly - keep her relaxed during all the drills. She's probably going to want to just windup and start muscling it in there - and that's when you'll see the straight, locked out arm and monkey-butting that you're trying to avoid. If she can stay relaxed, and just "let the whip happen", you just might get to hear her admit "wow - did you see how fast that was - I wasn't even trying to throw it hard!"
Thanks for the tips. She told me again today when I picked her up from school that she still wants to do it. I'll most certainly be learning the stuff myself. As I have learned from the hitting forum of this site, you have to be able explain what you want her to accomplish is many different ways.
I haven't heard the skipping rock thing, but I was trying to think of different ways that I could explain some of the concepts. One I came up with is that the Video's of Javasource, Hillhouse, and other who teach lock it in, 9 o'clock etc. kind of remind me of the Carlton Dance move if you know what that is. I know its not exact but it is close to E/R and I/R. LOL
The relaxed thing, I think she could pick up on fairly quick (Hopefully) That's literally all she has been working on for the last 2 weeks or so on her hitting sessions with me.
She is only 9, so they use I think a 10".
- May 20, 2019
- 132
- 43
I am in the same boat as you with a 9 yo pitcher and no local instructors that teach IR. I am using the Hillhouse videos and they have been very helpful thus far. Best advice I can give is get a comfortable bucket and a big backstop ;-)
- Aug 1, 2019
- 81
- 18
come to Dallas, Tx. I will teach you how to pitch.
@clemenslee1 That is awesome to hear that your daughter wants to become a pitcher.
Both my daughter wanted to pitch (8/10) and I knew nothing about the sport or pitching.
So... it was a long road... a lot of hard work... and a roller coaster of emotions... but we made some wonderful memories.
In addition, it taught them many life lessons that made them amazing people as well.
P.S. I would offer you and your daughter some FREE help, but last time I did that... the discussfastpitch.com website owner deleted my post because they said: "It was considered advertising..?"
Oh well... I guess we can only help others for FREE... on their website...
“To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success.”
– Henry Ford
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
– Mohammed Ali
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
– (Matthew 7:12)
Both my daughter wanted to pitch (8/10) and I knew nothing about the sport or pitching.
So... it was a long road... a lot of hard work... and a roller coaster of emotions... but we made some wonderful memories.
In addition, it taught them many life lessons that made them amazing people as well.
P.S. I would offer you and your daughter some FREE help, but last time I did that... the discussfastpitch.com website owner deleted my post because they said: "It was considered advertising..?"
Oh well... I guess we can only help others for FREE... on their website...
“To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success.”
– Henry Ford
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
– Mohammed Ali
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
– (Matthew 7:12)
