How Critical is Brush

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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
"butt out posture" I experience this almost every time I post in the hitting forums!

Rick,
It's really good to have you back. I'm itching to ask about the "thumb off" rise if you're able to comment...

Ken
 
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javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
Brush is a byproduct of a couple of things... all relating back to posture and the position of the throwing side thigh as the pitcher heads into release.

So... where is your DD's posture creating an issue with her throwing side thigh... being in a position to receive the arm? IOW... why is her throwing side thigh not in a position to receive the arm?

An effort to bring the arm into the body is a futile one... but perhaps we could 'bring' the body into the arm...
 
Sep 10, 2013
603
0
Brush is a byproduct of a couple of things... all relating back to posture and the position of the throwing side thigh as the pitcher heads into release.

So... where is your DD's posture creating an issue with her throwing side thigh... being in a position to receive the arm? IOW... why is her throwing side thigh not in a position to receive the arm?

An effort to bring the arm into the body is a futile one... but perhaps we could 'bring' the body into the arm...

I have looked at several of my DD's slow mo video and noticed that her drive leg was dragging then kicking out to the left side instead of driving it forward towards the catcher.

this caused her lower body to turn left and preventing brush from occurring. so java's explanation is right on! to bring the body into the arm.
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,827
0
I have looked at several of my DD's slow mo video and noticed that her drive leg was dragging then kicking out to the left side instead of driving it forward towards the catcher.

this caused her lower body to turn left and preventing brush from occurring. so java's explanation is right on! to bring the body into the arm.

DD pitching coach has a camera that can really slow the pitching motion down and can tell the coach and student a lot. Sometimes what a pitcher or hitter think they are doing is different and seeing it in slow motion can be an eye opener JMO.
 
Jun 7, 2013
984
0
DD pitching coach has a camera that can really slow the pitching motion down and can tell the coach and student a lot. Sometimes what a pitcher or hitter think they are doing is different and seeing it in slow motion can be an eye opener JMO.

With my iPhone 6 and its 240 fps feature, I do a lot less "coaching" for my DDs. I just inform them that I took some slomo video and they watch it.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Brush is a byproduct of a couple of things... all relating back to posture and the position of the throwing side thigh as the pitcher heads into release.

So... where is your DD's posture creating an issue with her throwing side thigh... being in a position to receive the arm? IOW... why is her throwing side thigh not in a position to receive the arm?

An effort to bring the arm into the body is a futile one... but perhaps we could 'bring' the body into the arm...

Bold ... IMO what often occurs is a pitcher learns to adapt their posture to avoid brush-assisted-whip. They think it's wrong. I had one pitcher that naturally brushed ... she constantly tried to "not brush", despite me telling her "to brush". She threw hard and would obtain a red bruising-like mark, and this made her think it was wrong. Later she went to work with Rick Pauly, and she returned telling me that I was right all along about the "brush". She had always been suspicious, because she would show/describe her reddness to others and they would always tell her NOT to brush.

Don't cringe ... it isn't uncommon for a pitcher to have brush-assisted-whip trained out of them by an instructor. I've seen this frequently ... even at what should be a fairly high-level of ball. An instructor will complain to their student in frustration ... "you are brushing again ... you need to stop that." A pitcher being trained NOT to brush will learn to adapt, and one adaptation is a change in posture.

Red-Bold ... I don't agree with that. Mike White made no bones about it. He taught elbow to hip for power and lower arm whip. Claimed it resulted in speed and spin. Didn't see it as futile at all.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Class,
She definitely gets it as demonstrated in the last videos you sent me. As already shared, making change permanent is not always easy, but your DD’s transformation from the first day is awesome to see. Her drive (thanks to javasource) has improved as well as her posture at release. The reading that Rick suggested might be good for both of us.

I think riseball’s suggestion to look at her whip is particularly helpful. In drill, she pulls the ball, locks and whips nicely with brush. During full motion/drive, she straightens out the arm, misses the body and loses some whip. As you know, change—especially during mid-season is tough. Continue to focus on correct mechanics in practice, but during games, she needs to pitch. If there’s a cue or two that she responds well to, have her chat with her coach about it (or maybe she’s open to having you give the top-secret reminder signs ;) )

FFS/Rick’s former student is in town and I’m hoping to schedule a clinic with her later this summer. Really looking forward to this and maybe we can ask her to spend some time on brush. (She speaks very highly of her mentors.)

Ken
 
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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
An effort to bring the arm into the body is a futile one... but perhaps we could 'bring' the body into the arm...

I think this is a really great way to look at teaching BI. It might be helpful to think of the body brushing the arm rather than the arm brushing the body.

That should bring the student back to thinking about adjusting the body rather than adjusting the arm.
 
May 9, 2014
474
0
Umatilla, Florida
My dd brushes, but sometimes she will lose her brush. I can tell when she has it without even looking at her. The sound of the pop of the glove will tell me. When she's got it she throws hard, when she doesn't she's slow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Sep 19, 2013
420
0
Texas
Can u have to much brush? My dd's forearm swells sometimes. It seem she hits with her elbow to far in on her hip which seems to cause the forearm to hit hard on the thigh.. Most of the pics Rick posted show the pitchers arms r perpendicular to the thigh. My dd seems to come across it. Could it b the hip is not in the proper place? Not sure what to change.

Maybe a better question would b where should the elbow hit the hip?
 
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