elite pitchers inter. rotation or not

durwood · Aug 31, 2009

i have learned a lot with the internal rotation thread. does anyone know the
pitching styles of the elite pitchers. i think i can tell now that i am more aware.
just wondering if there is any elite pitchers that do not throw the internal rotation motion. ex. Angela Tincher or other D1 pitchers. trying to change my 11yr over to the internal rotation motion but pitching coach does not teach. daughter has improved tremendously over the past 2yrs. just curious

sluggers · Sep 1, 2009

If you find one, let us know. I was a non-believer until the internal rotation thread. I searched in vain for a video of any pitchers that didn't do internal rotation. My own DD did it, in spite of her pitching coach teaching otherwise. (Slow motion videos weren't as available then as they are now.)

The same forearm motion in overhand pitching is fundamental. It is called external rotation in overhand pitching, because the thumb rotates away from the body at release. But, it is the same motion.

Mike · Sep 1, 2009

I have noticed lately when I watch other athletically gifted pitchers I see a big blur of yellow between 9 oclock to release. And yet most of them will swear they are getting their hand completely behind the ball, as will the parents and coach. I believe now that some kids will pitch with internal rotation, and become great pitchers despite poor practice and instruction (get your hand behind the ball). And some kids get discouraged and quit because they force the issue and actually do get their hand behind the ball and pitch with a bowling motion. Some kids can just do it, most cannot. I have one of each. In my limited expierence I have also noticed that a kid that has trouble throwing overhand, will also have trouble throwing underhand. Finding a pitching instructor that will at very least acknowledge natural motion and internal rotation is important. Watch slow motion video and read the internal rotation thread at least 100 times. (I have poor reading comprehension).

Mike

go4fpsb · Sep 1, 2009

durwood said:
i have learned a lot with the internal rotation thread. does anyone know the
pitching styles of the elite pitchers. i think i can tell now that i am more aware.
just wondering if there is any elite pitchers that do not throw the internal rotation motion. ex. Angela Tincher or other D1 pitchers. trying to change my 11yr over to the internal rotation motion but pitching coach does not teach. daughter has improved tremendously over the past 2yrs. just curious

I don't believe anyone can throw at a high level without some form of internal rotation. I was teaching this mechanic before I read boardmembers thread but it was a result of my original exposure to Cheri Kempf's method of holding the glass of water at 9 o'clock and pouring the water out at release. This causes the forearm to face third at 9 o'clock and then first after release which is a form of the internal rotation boardmember described. I own RVP software and never really noticed the position of the hand at 9 o'clock until the internal rotation thread. Now that I know it, I see it every time I see an elite pitcher's video. Most if not all pitchers that throw at a high velocity get to a palm up position at 9 o'clock and rotate violently from pre-release to elbow release. IMO. As an example I just started working with a new student last week. The first thing I had her do after we warmed up was to have her go through her regular pitching warm up routine. The first thing she did was to swing her arm back to 9 o'clock and had her hand on top of the ball. I said whoa we're done, here is a new set of warm up drills for you, I started her on the drills pretty much as boardmember described in his thread. After two lessons of struggling with the new motion the light went on for her. Big smile, very cool. It is what makes being a coach worthwhile.

BoardMember · Sep 1, 2009

It is fun when that ball suddenly snaps out of the hand with little to no effort and with really good velocity......

Once they get it......you'll never have to force them to practice....It's that fun......

It's like going the driving range and suddenly figuring out how to hit that "high draw"......Such a cool feeling that you can kiss the wife good bye for the next 20 years.......(unless of course she plays too!)

I'm so happy my thread has opened SO MANY eyes in the pitching/coaching community.........

Especially those coaches who sometimes come across that "Pearl" pitcher who just seems to "get it" with out any knowlege, and the coach just smiles and takes credit.......

Allowing the coach to help duplicate the move that makes that special pitcher so good means that it won't be an "accident" when all your pitchers are "specialists" in throwing the ball......

Congrats.........

BoardMember

go4fpsb said:
I don't believe anyone can throw at a high level without some form of internal rotation. I was teaching this mechanic before I read boardmembers thread but it was a result of my original exposure to Cheri Kempf's method of holding the glass of water at 9 o'clock and pouring the water out at release. This causes the forearm to face third at 9 o'clock and then first after release which is a form of the internal rotation boardmember described. I own RVP software and never really noticed the position of the hand at 9 o'clock until the internal rotation thread. Now that I know it, I see it every time I see an elite pitcher's video. Most if not all pitchers that throw at a high velocity get to a palm up position at 9 o'clock and rotate violently from pre-release to elbow release. IMO. As an example I just started working with a new student last week. The first thing I had her do after we warmed up was to have her go through her regular pitching warm up routine. The first thing she did was to swing her arm back to 9 o'clock and had her hand on top of the ball. I said whoa we're done, here is a new set of warm up drills for you, I started her on the drills pretty much as boardmember described in his thread. After two lessons of struggling with the new motion the light went on for her. Big smile, very cool. It is what makes being a coach worthwhile.

Mike · Sep 1, 2009

I said whoa we're done, here is a new set of warm up drills for you, I started her on the drills pretty much as boardmember described in his thread.

I read Boardmembers, but can you please explain the drills you prescribe.

pre-release to elbow release.

Can you explain these please.

Thanks
Mike

durwood · Sep 5, 2009

g4fpsb question about glass of water

just wondering when you stated holding a glass of water at 9:00 and pouring it
out. do you hold the glass like you would to take drink or would you hold the bottom of the cup in the palm of the hand. trying any little thing to make that
light bulb go off.

Amy in AZ. · Sep 5, 2009

I just went outside and tried the glass of water drill.

I am glad no one was watching.

It works.

Amy

Amy in AZ. · Sep 5, 2009

Mike you have hit the nail on the head, about students that have problems throwing overhand. M. Candrea, will tell you that if they can't throw OH, they can't hit, either.

I worked with a 3rd grader just last night. She was all over the place. She had way too much motion going on, like she had watched her HS brother pitch.

I took the feet completely out of it and got her to go to her front toe, load and throw - w/o stepping through it. (That will have to come later.) From the toe touch to heal drop the ball is moving forward, with the elbow high. I had her release at heal drop. So, we started saying "go to the toe and throw."

It worked for her and she was giddy.

lhowser · Sep 5, 2009

Boardmember said:

I'm so happy my thread has opened SO MANY eyes in the pitching/coaching community.........

C'mon boardmember...give credit where credit is due. It was my daughters poor mechanics that you have helped correct that really started the threat!! (Ha!)

(Thanks a bunch...the discussion has helped me get three 9 year olds started on the right track!)

elite pitchers inter. rotation or not

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