Leg Slapping?

My daughter pitched her entire 9U season (still age 9), and did pretty well. She is definitely the most consistent pitcher on her team, and has good velocity for her age as well (compared to other teams we've faced).

As part of her windup, she slaps her leg with her glove. I've seen other pitchers do this, also. Her pitching coach commented on it (not his preference, but up to her), and let her continue with it. When this became part of her windup last winter, I did some research on it and found some commentary on how it's probably not a big deal at this age, but as she gets older good hitters will learn to time her pitches from the noise of the slap. Other than the bruises that she constantly has on her leg where she hits it (and the looks we get when she wears shorts in public), is the pitch timing issue a big enough reason to work on changing her windup during the off season? Or are there other reasons that we should work to change this now as well?

As a side note, she went to a pitching camp this summer at a local university (mid-season, maybe not such a great idea) and did change her wind-up for the next game based on what she'd learned there - which did not include a leg slap (along with other things - because a 9 year old thinks this is totally okay to try new things). After the first batter, the coach got my attention in the stands and asked me if my daughter planned on only pitching change-ups for the whole game - it changed her velocity that drastically. After that game, I told her that if she wanted to change her windup, it had to be done in the off-season. Just curious now as our season is wrapping up if it is really something we should work on.

Also - if it matters - her coach informed us that he intends to play only Class A level 10U ball next season and going forward.

Thank you!

The audible sound from the glove slap does not enhance a hitters ability to time the pitch.

FiveFrameSwing said:

The audible sound from the glove slap does not enhance a hitters ability to time the pitch.

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I agree.. but even if it did, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
If the batter is counting on the slap sound to time the pitch, an off-speed pitch with the same slap sound will fool the batter easier

I wouldn't worry about the leg slap at all. IMO, its a no teach but if she does it and it helps her from "swimming" the glove, continue to do it. My DD didn't glove slap until she attended a UCLA softball camp as a 9YO and one of the pitchers taught her to do it. Initially I was pissed but she has been slapping ever since and hasn't been an issue. One caveat is that I would have her pitch with pants and/or sliders under her shorts so she doesn't bruise her thigh.

Lastly, I have also heard the argument that you don't want to slap because the "verbal" cue will have the batters more easily time the pitch. I think this is BS. In fact, if you watch slow motion video of most elite leg slappers like Cat Osterman, Sarah Pauly, Amanda Scarborough, etc. the ball is already released and on it's way to the plate before the sound of the glove slapping. So I really doubt it's much of a factor, if at all.

She slaps her leg to start her windup - right? You are not talking about slapping her leg as she releases the ball?

We see some girls in our league that start their motion by slapping their leg with the recoil bringing both hands up to then have more force to throw into the backswing. The initial leg slap is like a kick start mechanism.

Like GoCabo asked...is she slapping the leg at the beginning of the windup or during release?

It's at the beginning of the windup, and not on the release.

I would discourage especially if at the beginning of the wind-up. Why have DD give herself a hematoma when there are so many other ways to obtain one during he course of a game.

IR a Pitching Dad said:

I would discourage especially if at the beginning of the wind-up. Why have DD give herself a hematoma when there are so many other ways to obtain one during he course of a game.

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If such a mechanic is to be removed, I would take note of any accompanying positive movement pattern and be careful not to remove it also.

I don't allow my students to do it, but you are right to investigate. Here a link to a recent discussion. http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/24615-opinions-about-leg-slap.html