I certainly do not want to speak for Java or some of the others that were/are proponents of a short quick backswing but I'll paraphrase my interpretation of their thoughts based on my research of posts made in this forum.Seth, I still don't understand the rational. As I said, I don't agree with it (for the long term) but I also understand why people do it. Heck, I did it as a kid too... until I learned of the consequences. And those consequences are creeping into the women's game rapidly now with better hitting instruction and more male fastpitch influence on the women's game. But anyway, I can at least understand WHY someone would do a back swing, just not a short backswing.
That said, and I rarely comment on videos posted, but your daughter looks pretty good! Good body awareness (rare in younger ages) and you can see athleticism. Both of those things cannot be taught. And don't fret about the size, Mike White is under 6'0. Ty Stofflet was well under 6', probably 5'6 ish. BOTH of them are on the Mt. Rushmore of pitching. Size helps but, it's not the determining factor in someone's abilities.
Keep working hard, I will enjoy watching her progress if you keep posting videos.
A backswing helps generate a stronger drive which of course adds velo. The bio-mechanics involved with that thought can't be argued. Just watch anyone try to do a standing broad jump with both arms going back versus none. It's a no brainer. It creates momentum. So there is a benefit to a backswing. The reason why a short quick one was preferred was to cut down on the ability for the grip/pitch to be picked. Although most pitches are picked while the ball is in the glove, there is that small possibility that you have a Tim Walton wannabe there at 3rd base (or a batter) who can pick one in the backswing so you try to reduce the chances of that happening. So you gain the additional velo because of the backswing but cut down on the ability for the pitch to be picked by shortening it. Best of both worlds kind of thing.
Again this is simply my interpretation based on reading some old threads here. If I have mis-represented anyone's thoughts, please forgive in advance.
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