Softball dads converting their DD to I/R

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Aug 20, 2013
558
0
So we started and it seems to be going ok. However, she seems to be stumped on when to actually "throw" the ball in the motion. Any thoughts on how she can "feel" when to throw it?
 
Jul 17, 2012
1,091
38
GatorGirl, This is a segment from the I/R in the Classroom thread. I found it was incredibly helpful for my DD.

Training the release phase for an internal rotator is MUCH more complicated because of the nature of the "beast". He/She is not only dealing with High/Low, but because of the I/R in the forearm/wrist, and the acceleration that occurs because of it......We must deal with left right AND high low. It's SO MUCH EASIER to be a pitching coach who does NOT teach I/R believe me......And that's why there's SO MANY of those out there........

So how do we train an I/R release phase that both controls the high/low, AND the in/out as well. We must train them to release the ball "mid-snap" so to speak. In order to accomplish this, we must get them thinking about release BEFORE mid-snap. Because IF they release the ball AFTER mid-snap, (turn the ball over) they MISS the acceleration phase of I/R. The best way I've found to accomplish this is to "work into" the mid-point, vs. trying to work "back out of it". Working INTO mid-snap would have the ball releasing EARLIER then later.

IOW........I try to get my students to MISS RIGHT (RH'r) FIRST vs. holding on to the ball through mid-snap and turning it over left (RH'r) without "catching" the added velocity of angular acceleration. I accomplish this my making sure I have opposites. IE the forearm/wrist turning over toward the LH batter, and the ball spinning right toward the RH batter (RH'r). This tells me that the student is working INTO the snap during the learning process. And hasn't "missed the whip" so to speak. This is why I love to get calls from people asking me to take a look at a student who "constantly misses right" (RH'r). IE "My DD is constantly hitter batters"........What does that tell me IF everything else is basically correct?........I HAVE A POTENTIAL FLAME THROWER!

So, bottom line is WHEN TRAINING I/R........Get the ball turning toward the RH batter as the forearm/wrist are turning through toward the LH batter.........

It's hard to accomplish this from the "lock it in drill" but NOT impossible. My best advise is to find a concrete wall and have the student throw a ball underhand from close range until she can get the ball turning right and the forearm and wrist turning left (RH'r)......You can stand off to the side and retrieve early releases and return the ball to the student so that many training throws can be made in one session......

The goal is to accomplish this action and still throw the ball straight ahead, bouncing back to her, vs. loosing it to the right. Believe it or not, the body WILL ADAPT the sequence to spinning it right (RH'r) but THROWING IT STRAIGHT.

BULLET SPIN IS NOT THE GOAL.......INWARD/FORWARD SPIN is the goal........."Catching the Whip"........

This is a view of proper spin from a RH'd pitcher. IF we can catch this spin as the forearm/wrist turns through, we're in really good shape:

348ll00.gif
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
GatorGirl, This is a segment from the I/R in the Classroom thread. I found it was incredibly helpful for my DD.

Great advice!! this was the post that let me know I was on the right track when we first started. My DD was throwing faster than other pitchers but would throw inside (at) RH batters so I was afraid we were doing something wrong. This post from BM kept us on this road.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Look for a loose whip rather than a push. As suggested above, practicing major form mechanics is better done up close into a net, tarp, blanket, mattress, wall or backstop. Trying to learn a major change and hit a glove is very distracting/frustrating.

One cue that has worked for some of my kids is to put a nickel-sized dot between the seams at the narrows. Using a four seam grip, orient the ball so the dot is nearest the pinkie. The idea is to throw the dot at the target using elbow leading and palm up mechanics on the downswing. Most of the time the ball ends up with the spin depicted above, but may be more spiral. Regardless of the spin, the release should look loose and whippy, with no regard for where the ball goes (except as noted above as an indictor that you're on track.)

Another tool that may help is a small football (not one of the little foam ones.) Same idea, but try to throw an underhand spiral.

The last thing to watch for is the elbow pausing (or locking) at the side while the lower arm whips like demonstrated by AS:


It takes several sessions for some to get the feel and muscle memory for whip. Don't go full motion until she's got the feel of the it down. That's not to say she can't work on drive without a ball.

If you feel comfortable doing so, post some before/after videos and I'm sure you'll get some helpful feedback.


Hope that helps,
Ken
 
Aug 20, 2013
558
0
Ok. So much to take in. Are we saying to have them release the ball in the middle of the rotation? It that what mid-snap means? Start releasing the ball as the forearm rotates?

I am just going to work on the net thing for a while just to try and get her to throw the ball at all using the IR completely. She seems to get it throwing it to herself(ala Bill HIllhouse) but when I ask her to throw, She starts IR and then switches to wrist snap mid throw. That would have to be the first goal. Gotta a good lead on an IR instructor if our current PC won't work with us on this.

I am just so glad I came across this forum and you guys now early on so we have all Fall and Winter to work on this! Thanks so much!
 
Jul 14, 2008
1,800
63
Stop Staring At Me! It's creepin me out just a little! LOL!

At least "blink" once in a while ok?
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Are we saying to have them release the ball in the middle of the rotation? It that what mid-snap means?
As long as all else is as it should be, the release point takes care of itself. The important points are: elbow leading and palm up during the downswing, elbow pausing at the ribs and a loose whip.

As she starts to allow whip to happen, have her start whipping at points in her net. As she starts to feel some control, have her play step back games (hit her target 3/4 times to earn a step back.) When she shows control at about three quarter distance, try some underhand catch. If things break down, go back to the net.
 
Last edited:
Aug 20, 2013
558
0
Sounds good Ken. Thanks!

**Follow up: Did the net today and she had a great release, but it was just standing and throwing like the very first drill, but it is start. She managed to pitch in her very first game on Saturday. We had no notice and she didn't warm up. My heart was pounding out of my chest because several other girls hit batters and I really didn't want her to get discouraged. She did wonderful in my book. All walks, but for a 9 year old with no notice, no warm up and never having thrown against a batter--I was thrilled. All pitches were caught by the catcher, no bounces before the plate, no hit batters and she did throw some strikes and some girls swung. I think a few balls were fouled off. She only pitched one inning as they were changing pitchers every inning. Didn't really want much more than that. Sorry, had to brag.
 
Last edited:
Dec 9, 2011
176
0
Just wondered why coaches don't allow pitchers to warm up?? Or they warm up before game.. play a different position on field for 3-4 innings and hour later they yell at her to hit the circle and she hasn't pitched a ball, thrown a ball since before game started. Just thinking out loud. Gatorgirl great for your daughter but I bet mom was a nervous wreck. lol
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top