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Jan 25, 2011
2,282
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You don't need a backswing and if the pitcher does not, she should not be forced to do one for a drill or by the PC due to timing difference and often, load difference. The showcase I went to--the top pitcher gunned at 58--no backswing, no load on the back foot, no overlap. I'd leave her alone as the college coaches were fussing over her.

Is this the part of the instruction where the PC forces the pitcher to take the style he or she espouses, per JJ thread? OR is it OK because it goes with the board's general view that pitchers should have backswings. Just asking.
My dd doesn't do a backswing and like I said Hillhouse himself doesn't say you can't and Java likes the backswing, but after reading most of Java's post, I can't see him changing a pitcher if they don't. If my dd and I ever do run into Java, I would let him work with my dd and show her what he likes and have her try it. What would it hurt, maybe he would see something. Maybe 58 could turn into 60?
 
May 23, 2012
365
18
Eastlake, OH
As stated in the video, the 2-step becomes a legal pitch... and is the goal after all the proper drive leg mechanics are learned

Dredging up an old thread. Watched the 2 step video online (and thank you for it). In your video you said you have to get past the "illegal" elements and in this thread you mention the 2 step becomes a legal pitch. My DD is 11 and first year 12U and we are just starting to take pitching seriously after a couple seasons of dabbling at 10U. So... my understanding of pitching rules isn't great enough to understand what's not legal about the drill and how it becomes a legal pitch. Of course I'm coming from the base understanding of starting with two feet on the rubber and not stepping back. Can you explain?
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Great bump!

The push foot cannot break contact with the rubber and step back on again. When learning the 2 Step, breaking contact/unweighting the push foot is helpful in learning the feel of the sequence. Once you have it down, you transition into dragging the push foot lightly while still unweighting.
 
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May 23, 2012
365
18
Eastlake, OH
Great bump!

The push foot cannot break contact with the rubber and step back on again. When learning the 2 Step, breaking contact/unweighting the push foot is helpful in learning the feel of the sequence. Once you have it down, you transition into dragging the push foot lightly while still unweighting.

So this drill starts in front of the rubber with the stride foot stepping back to toe the backside of the rubber?
I think my answer is in Mike's footwork from 9:45 to 9:47 (right after the insightful commentary on duck racing :)). Does that seem correct?

 
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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
So this drill starts in front of the rubber with the stride foot stepping back to toe the backside of the rubber?

Front side/edge of the rubber.


[MENTION=6172]BadMonkeys[/MENTION]
I reread your question and I don't believe I answered your question. Go to about the 7:20 mark in this clip for a run down:

 
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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Anyone know of another video that may represent the drill with the mound and another that may represent the end result, in-game?

I'm not sure a pitching rubber is critical to have when first learning the 2 Step in drill. Here are examples of game footwork:

lw4_zps4bx6x0zf.gif
monica_abbott_side_zpsym6imvdb.gif


I'll look for better gifs. Ignore Abbott's dip and look at her feet. I like the way she (and Waldrop) quickly load onto their back feet and immediately push--almost sprinting off the rubber using both feet in a push-push sequence.

lw_drop_62_zpsnsakq1qr.gif
 
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May 23, 2012
365
18
Eastlake, OH
Here's one:
lw4_zps4bx6x0zf.gif
monica_abbott_side_zpsym6imvdb.gif


I'll look for better gifs. Ignore Abbott's dip and look at her feet. I like the way she quickly loads into her back foot and immediately pushes--almost sprinting off the rubber using both feet in a push-push sequence.

lw_drop_62_zpsnsakq1qr.gif

Well this is all interesting indeed. So the game action shown in 2 of the gifs is more of a right to left (for the right hander) slide across the front edge of the plate pulling to the back stride foot to center versus the north to south pull I saw in Java's YouTube video? This is how it's accomplished with both feet on the rubber?
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
There can be rearward movement of the push foot if the heel starts at the front edge and slides (paws) back.
 

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