M's Progress -- Fixing that Leap

Doug Romrell · Jan 4, 2014

As many of you know, especially Javasource and Rick Pauly, pitcher "M" (the tall lanky girl) has had quite a time with her legs.

We focused on things a bit differently today. She leaps over that big baggy ball on the floor and thinks about taking her knee with toe up to the ball on the tee, then tries to kick the ball on the tee.

Well, there's a lot yet to tweak here, but I think I'm finally feeling that she's well on her way to correcting her leap issues.

Doug Romrell · Jan 4, 2014

Here's another angle...

She's got to kick a bit more, followed by the need to come down on a firmer front leg. All-in-all, however, I'm excited that she may actually end up getting a decent leap. I had my doubts until now.

Thanks to suggestions from Javasource and Rick Pauly!

splinterpicker · Jan 4, 2014

My dd has the same problem. I wrapped the drag foot shoe with athletic tape. Not the whole shoe,but around the toe and top of foot. Then I put chalk on it so she could see the drag mark. She was pitching on a pitching mat that had the line down the middle. Helped her see the toe drag. Also took away the excuse of not being on dirt.

Doug Romrell · Jan 4, 2014

As mentioned, I believe that if she can land on a much stiffer (less bent) front leg that it will help a lot with the heavy drag with the back leg she's getting.

Also, she's not really popping the hips open all the way. I think that will come. She's raising her stride knee MUCH better, but isn't quite getting the kick-out, which I see as important in getting the hips to pop open.

javasource · Jan 4, 2014

Doug Romrell said:
She's got to kick a bit more, followed by the need to come down on a firmer front leg. All-in-all, however, I'm excited that she may actually end up getting a decent leap. I had my doubts until now.

Thanks to suggestions from Javasource and Rick Pauly!

Wow, Doug... looks like a different pitcher... definitely see the progress... and you mentioned some good things. Couple of other notes...

The top of her circle is a bit active... needs to get open a little sooner... and a decent 'cue' for her might be to allow the side of her DRIVE foot big toe to drag... when her stride 'kick' happens. The kick is also timed with the foot leaving the plate... She'll be in a much more powerful position with drive leg thigh out... so that it can turn in during the release phase... This is that hip/thigh adduction torque post... a force coupler with the whip.

Doing great things, Doug.

Doug Romrell · Jan 4, 2014

javasource said:
Wow, Doug... looks like a different pitcher... definitely see the progress... and you mentioned some good things. Couple of other notes...

The top of her circle is a bit active... needs to get open a little sooner... and a decent 'cue' for her might be to allow the side of her DRIVE foot big toe to drag... when her stride 'kick' happens. The kick is also timed with the foot leaving the plate... She'll be in a much more powerful position with drive leg thigh out... so that it can turn in during the release phase... This is that hip/thigh adduction torque post... a force coupler with the whip.

Doing great things, Doug.

In getting open sooner, I think it's more that her arm is a little ahead of where it should be. I've really been working to get her arm to be later than it is. She's always tried to initiate her drive forward (after the back-swing peaks) by quickly bringing the arm. I would say that the arm is more of a lagging thing when initiating the drive. At least I think it should be with her, where she has a good arm whip and seems to be quicker with her arm than she is with her legs.

javasource · Jan 4, 2014

Wow... Doug... the timing of our posts and PM's... and the fact that we're completing each others sentences... bizarre! lol

Doug Romrell · Jan 4, 2014

Dude, I'm light-years from being able to complete your sentences! There is no question about it, some girls pick up this leap stuff easier than others. To M's credit, it isn't natural ability. She's got heart! She really wants it, albeit late in the game, so to speak (i.e., starting so late). I'm energized by this gal and her desire and her slow, but sure progress.

M's Progress -- Fixing that Leap

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