DD Getting Frustrated with Speed

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Mar 24, 2014
450
18
Having a similar issue with my DD (check out my thread "no progression in pitching speed). She's been about the same speed for several months and is about 5'3" and 100lbs. Got a lot of good feedback but overall seems like we are doing the recommended drills for progression. A few people have PM'd me recommending working on aspect of the pitching sequence, more video to correct mechanics. Over the past week, we worked on her drive mechanics and have cleaned that up a bit. improvement in her drive mechanics seemed to help with her front side resistance as well. Suggest work on one thing at a time.
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
A trick that makes a pitcher more consistent.

I need to make a desk calendar with all of the gems you sprinkle across the board. A quote of the day type thing.

You do realize, from a strictly logical sense that a "trick" that improves performance is another way of saying it is something good to do?

"she uses this base running trick of rounding to get to the next base quicker"
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Have you never, ever, taken even a minute to consider that coaching is about learning, growing, studying, testing, trying, listening, asking, trying some more, being open minded, or realizing that everything someone once told you might not be correct?

BTW, I completely expect to look back, in a relatively short time from now, and realize that some of what I believe now to be outdated, wrong and misguided. I embrace it and regret it all at the same time. It's part of growing and evolving...
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
OP,

The video you posted makes me think she's getting behind the ball a tad early with her hand... a result of throwing around her body... rather than across it.

Your daughter has relatively decent mechanics. Her frame is petite and the emphasis on generating speed has perhaps (just a guess) created a few compensatory movements that many believe can create power... but instead rob us of it.

Here's a man I've a great deal of respect for talking about a pitcher he has worked with eliminating a movement he calls 'forward effort'... with the idea of quieting the torso... and allowing the arm to do work. There are three videos recently posted, and I do believe you and your DD might benefit from these concepts.



Take a look at your DD's first pitch... and note the movement of the right shoulder in the three frames (starting at 10 o'clock)... as well as her posture. I do think you'll see this forward and rotational effort... something she'd benefit in learning to control/eliminate.

Best, ~JS
 
Nov 7, 2014
483
0
in the 3 frames starting at 10 what I saw is right shoulder starts to turn forward and almost drag her arm around is this what you are referring to javasource or am I not seeing it correctly.

essentially closing shoulders to early ?

also starts to have little lean forward bend at waste.

thanks for the help.
 
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Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
More amazing insight from under the bridge. By all means don't do what is actually successful. Keep trollin so we can keep laughing.
 
Jul 10, 2011
77
6
OP,

The video you posted makes me think she's getting behind the ball a tad early with her hand... a result of throwing around her body... rather than across it.

Your daughter has relatively decent mechanics. Her frame is petite and the emphasis on generating speed has perhaps (just a guess) created a few compensatory movements that many believe can create power... but instead rob us of it.

Here's a man I've a great deal of respect for talking about a pitcher he has worked with eliminating a movement he calls 'forward effort'... with the idea of quieting the torso... and allowing the arm to do work. There are three videos recently posted, and I do believe you and your DD might benefit from these concepts.



Take a look at your DD's first pitch... and note the movement of the right shoulder in the three frames (starting at 10 o'clock)... as well as her posture. I do think you'll see this forward and rotational effort... something she'd benefit in learning to control/eliminate.

Best, ~JS


Great video JS. Light bulb moment for me at the 2:55 mark when he mentions "forward effort with her hand". Definitely one of Liv's problems.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
There are a couple of things going on.

a) If your DD is going to throw fast, she has to have everything perfect. Due to her size, there isn't any margin of error.
b) You have to look at her from the side. You *MUST* video her from the side and then compare that with "the gold standard"-- Jenny Finch, Cat Osterman. Sarah Pauly and Amanda Scarborough.

Anyway, on to the critique:

1) She is overemphasizing IR. So, she is twisting her arm like she is throwing a rollover drop. She should finish with the arm, hand fingers of her hand extended toward the catcher, not down. Here is a video of an IR drill. Note his hand and arm position after the throw.

[video=youtube_share;B6PW4DCqbW8]http://youtu.be/B6PW4DCqbW8[/video]

Because she is overemphasizing IR, she is twisting her body during the pitch.

2) Your DD at 12 looks good. But, at 9, her body is out of position. Around 11, your DD shifts her weight over her front foot too early. So, she is actually throwing the ball close to her left leg, rather than in the middle.

3) Her pre-motion is a little wacky. She really throws her arm backwards...this is something kids usually grow out around 12YOA or 13YOA. Doing a backswing is OK, but violently bringing her arm back doesn't make any sense.

4) Her front side resistance is poor.

5) She has no brush interference. (You can do what OILF says. Or you can do what Osterman, Abbot, Fench and Pauly do. Most rational people would choose the latter.)

Here are some drills:

1) Stork. Have her stand on her right foot. She lifts her left foot off the ground and then she throws. She is to keep her left off the ground until the ball is returned to her. Make it a game. See how many pitches she can throw without every touching the ground with her left foot. (Great ab exercise as well).


2)
 

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Nov 7, 2014
483
0
Yea I know the "BACK SWING" oh how I have tried when she is throwing 80 percent 44 to 45 constant she does not throw it up like that but the second she goes to throw harder it is just mental I guess I have tried everything to get rid of the forceful up swing.

Thank You for your help.
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
All three of the Balswick clips that come up on youtube are fantastic!!! There is much to be gleaned from them!
 
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