Lock it in drill

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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
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Dallas, Texas
She’s only missing 2 things really. A little more relaxed Fluidity and EXTERNAL ROTATION on the way up to 9:00.

It’s a fluid drill by starting at the bottom with the ball Facing inward. As she moves up the back she should turn the ball upward as she moves to 9:00. Some kids seem to position the ball better at 9:00 by thinking “back of the hand faces the ground“ vs. ball or palm up.

On the other hand, some kids just don’t understand the motor skill of how to turn to palm up going backwards because it’s counter intuitive. Using a modified form of the magician drill where she literally throws the ball backwards as she moves up to 9:00 will help her body learn to get to palm up through an external rotation ball toss to the rear.
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Did you ever think when you those first posts on DFP that you would start a revolution in pitching?

One of my goals was to have a framework available so parents would have a resource to teach their DDs the basics of pitching. I feel like we are about 90% of the way there. (Aside: At some point, a kid needs a PC. But, a kid pitching rec ball shouldn't have to pay $$$ to pitch a few games.)
 
Aug 20, 2017
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Feb 25, 2020
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Me and my DD are starting out as well.

If you're not doing the drills with/back to her I would think about trying it. (I did because I think Hillhouse recommended it in a video I saw before we started.)

Adds a lot of good elements to the process I think.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
I’m not sure if you have seen the bat drill but it also help give the feel of IR and ER.

Take a light bat and let it hang down, and gently swing it back and forth. Focus on painting the bat away on the back swing and letting the hand/forearm IR when going forward. I’m sure there is a video but I’m not finding it.
 

BigSkyHi

All I know is I don't know
Jan 13, 2020
1,385
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Had the pleasure of working with a group of eight beginning 8 and 9 year-old this fall. One of the things they were absolutely most proud of was learning to throw it to themselves. The key is that both arms work in unison. The keys is both hands go out together to 9 o'clock, pulling the elbows out. Then the elbows pull back to the slot and the foreman comes to create the snapping release of the ball to the glove. You know they are good when they no longer have to look at the glove.

Just send them out into the yard alone to play. When they are able to learn something new by themselves, they are grinning from ear to ear.
 
Nov 22, 2019
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Me and my DD are starting out as well.

If you're not doing the drills with/back to her I would think about trying it. (I did because I think Hillhouse recommended it in a video I saw before we started.)

Adds a lot of good elements to the process I think.


Thanks, trying to go very slow, so just doing the first drill. Her 1st instinct seems to want to bring the ball back in a very unnatural way for the shoulder instead of the nice pendulum downswing, so carefully trying to get that instilled 1st.
 
Jul 14, 2008
1,800
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Trying to get my DD to "go under the table" was a bit like pulling teeth, but hopefully this mostly looks better today. Please let me know. Thanks.

www.flickr.com/photos/43444487@N00/49754978042/in/album-72157713822311021/

Ok I’m completely confused by this clip. Someone’s not teaching her correctly. I’d like to see a clip of dad performing the drill he’s trying to teach her to see if he understands.

What the heck does “go under the table” mean?

Why is she starting with the ball in front of her and her elbow bent 90 degrees ball forward to 3:00?

Why isn’t she starting at the bottom any more? Did I miss something?

Why isn’t she externally rotating to palm up behind her at 9:00. Maybe it’s time to start her at Palm up and 9:00. I see zero evidence of even an attempt to get to that position. Without achieving that position, the rest is half baked..

Why isn’t she getting to 9:00? Did no one physically show her? I’m gonna say no. Even if you have to stand right next to her and MAKE HER achieve ball up AND 9:00, do it.

This is baffling to me that she is allowed to continue to use poor mechanics. Stand next to her and SHOW HER WHAT IS CORRECT. If your not going to do that you shouldn’t be teaching her to pitch. That’s the harsh reality.

I’ll tell you that a lot of the time her little flip move at the bottom to throw the ball isn’t half bad.

So get next to her and show her what is correct until she gets it. Even if YOU HAVE TO MOVE HER ARM.

And don’t post another clip until she gets to palm up AND 9:00 Got it? (Mostly kidding). Mostly.......
 
Jul 14, 2008
1,800
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Did you ever think when you those first posts on DFP that you would start a revolution in pitching?

Ray, I always new that there was a HUGE misunderstanding about actual pitching mechanics. Especially after attending some “high level clinics” that purported to teach high level mechanics.

It became painfully obvious to me that MOST pitching coaches had no clue how high level pitchers achieved such an awesome ability to throw the ball underhand With such velocity and grace.

When I found this forum and began reading the advise being given, I knew I had to speak up. I’m proud of what has happened in the fastpitch world after that initial I/R post.

Pitching coaches all over the world are now using proper terminology and mechanics to teach pitching and it’s been fun to watch it propagate.

Some one once said on here that I was like Columbus.. I didn’t invent internal rotation, and Columbus didn’t invent America.
 
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