What would you start with first?

[Fitz1210]

Hi! I’ve been casually working with my almost 8 year old daughter introducing her to pitching. We haven’t done a lot of drills. I would like to zero in on some of her mechanical issues. She is young so I would like to keep it fun, but what would you start working on first? Crow hop, stride, drag, etc?
thanks!

 

[Gags]

Hi! I’ve been casually working with my almost 8 year old daughter introducing her to pitching. We haven’t done a lot of drills. I would like to zero in on some of her mechanical issues. She is young so I would like to keep it fun, but what would you start working on first? Crow hop, stride, drag, etc? I would like to
thanks!

Wow - she’s only 7?!

I wouldn’t focus on anything really, maybe just work on getting her laces facing down, which in turn may eliminate the leap (She doesn’t really re-plant from what I could tell, just leaps).

If your profile is correct, you’ve been on the board for awhile, so you probably already know about the usual response of “read the stickies”.

Other thing to possibly remove the leap is to focus on playing catch underhand. If she realizes she doesn’t need to “pitch” to throw the ball accurately and with speed, then it may resolve itself in time.

Just be careful about discouraging a strong push off too much when back in the circle.


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[Fitz1210]

Wow - she’s only 7?!

I wouldn’t focus on anything really, maybe just work on getting her laces facing down, which in turn may eliminate the leap (She doesn’t really re-plant from what I could tell, just leaps).

If your profile is correct, you’ve been on the board for awhile, so you probably already know about the usual response of “read the stickies”.

Other thing to possibly remove the leap is to focus on playing catch underhand. If she realizes she doesn’t need to “pitch” to throw the ball accurately and with speed, then it may resolve itself in time.

Just be careful about discouraging a strong push off too much when back in the circle.


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Thank you for the response.
she replants sometimes. Also, I signed up but haven’t been active in a while! Read the stickies?

 

[Gags]

Stickies at the top of the pitching forum - start with IR in the Classroom, and Java’s videos for basic drills.

ETA: I must of been channeling my inner DNeeld with my previous suggestion (hopefully the quote comes through from the phone app - it’s from the Lily - 10U Crow Hop thread)

I'm not Ken, but my suggestion would be don't worry about it, don't mention it, don't address it at all. You'll do more harm than good.

If you are concerned about it, have her focus to turning her drag foot laces toward the catcher and dragging the foot in over the top of her toes, not on the side of the big toe. That will solve the problem without you ever mentioning a leap or crow-hop. Best thing is you won't discourage a strong drive, which is what addressing a crow-hop directly to a young pitcher will often do.

Young girls often have difficulty understanding or feeling the difference between "out" and "up". Don't make it an issue.

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[thecat]

Teach her to throw underhanded. That's what I did with my girls early on. They were 10 though

 

[BigSkyHi]

Like this setup a dad built for his DD

 

[Shawn]

She looks really good for her age.

 

[uncdrew]

Teach her to throw underhanded. That's what I did with my girls early on. They were 10 though

My DD is 11 and started pitching 2 years ago.

If I could go back in time, I'd spend the first month or two just playing catch underhand. If not for the full session (of 15 minutes or so), for at least the first half or more.

It would have sped up everything else if she would have started just being comfortable throwing underhand. Using IR of course.

 

[Fluid Fastpitch]

It looks like he's read the stickies. She's throwing with I/R. Yeah, I'd start with the leap. Just tell her that the rules say she has to have that foot in contact with the ground. See what she does. If it's weird after a few tries, then maybe the laces down/ drag the big toe cue.
Post a followup!

Edit: on another watch, it's hard to tell, but from her shoulder position I think her hand may get on top of the ball behind her. Make sure she stays palm up/ball up for as long as possible down the backside. I've started teaching my littles to lead with the knuckle of the middle finger like it's being pulled on a string - first the string pulls your knuckle straight at your target, then all the way around the circle, as long as you can hold it. When it comes to release, think lead with the pinky and finish palm down.

 

[fanboi22]

I agree with the learning to throw underhand, but would stress that when you do, make sure that she has brush interference. Just 'throwing' underhand without the Bi will not be beneficial. As other posters have stated, make sure she is palm up as she pulls down thru 9 oclock, then IR's thru the brush. Stickies for IR and Brush are critical to read and understand.