About a year ago I started the journey switching my then 13 year old daughter over from "HE" to I/R using strictly info from this board and have had great success with it. She is doing great and actually has pitches that spin the right way and also has great movement. About eight month,s ago my 10 year old decided she wanted to try her hand at pitching, so I started working with her also. In less than three months she was pitching games and looking just as good or better than a lot of the girls that take lessons from paid pitching coaches. I watch local girls all the time pitch tournaments, and I stand there and think about all the stuff that I could help them with that would make them better pitchers. In my area, there are very very few pitching coaches teaching I/R (and at this point few pitching coaches at all); and many girls are driving at least 40 miles to go to lessons. I have been thinking for a while now about possibly trying to get started as a pitching coach. My job allows me the time it would take to do it and while I am no expert, I feel confident that I could teach someone that is willing to learn. In dealing with my two daughters, I quickly found out that it really is a marathon and not a sprint. I have learned that there are some days that they just don't have their head in it and there is no need getting upset because it won't change a thing. I don't have a huge softball background, nor do I have coaching credentials, but what I do have is a love for the game, a desire to help any girl that needs help, and a willingness to keep learning myself to help others. Is this crazy? If so please let me know. If it is not crazy, what is the best way to get started without offending anyone? As always, I am FOREVER grateful to this site and the people that contribute to it.
How did you guys actually get started as pitching coaches---Am I crazy?
- Thread starter Da-T
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I'm not a PC but I know I could get a HE or newbie started in the right direction to turn over to a true PC. While I like you work well with OUR DD's it helps because we know them so well and there quirks. The thing that I consider that makes a good PC or BC is not only knowledge of the material but the ability to apply it to different students. I'm sure you have noticed you DD teammates and all the different personalitys and how they all respond differently. One breaks down to mild criticism and the next excels following an appropriate butt chewing. Not trying to dicourge you at all since good PC are hard to find just a couple of thoughts to keep in mind should you decide to learn to become a PC. Good luck.
Idk, you said it well.
Bucket dad neighbor helped DD more then anyone else. When you catch thousands of pitches you learn some things.
DD is the same age as your DD, she helps if asked. Somehow I have been the pitching coach a few times, I grab my DD.
Bucket dad neighbor helped DD more then anyone else. When you catch thousands of pitches you learn some things.
DD is the same age as your DD, she helps if asked. Somehow I have been the pitching coach a few times, I grab my DD.
Learn how to pitch for yourself. Study from the best in the world. Pay extreme attention to details and take notes. Spend time studying (or speaking with) Pauly, Balswick, Tincher, Hillhouse, Gillis, White, Boardmember, Javasourse, and Scarborough just to name some of my teachers Ive learned from over the years. Learn the differences between styles and absolutes. Never stop being a student. Never assume that you fully understand anything. Accept the fact that you will always need more work.... Its imperative that you have a solid understanding of the biomechanical aspects of the human body so that your maximizing their energy and not potentially causing injuries. Always remember this is not about you....
- Sep 29, 2014
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I would like to second this, I thought I had a pretty good handle on things until I tried them for myself. It helps you "FEEL" what you are talking about, lucky for me my DD wanted to start catching just as I was trying to start helping our pitchers out. If you have played ball before and are athletically inclined you should be able to throw batting practice in a two or three months. Also study, watch video it will amaze you all the different things you hear different people tell you but when you watch top pitchers they all have certain basic things they all do and the reason is because to throw the ball the best certain things work and other don't.
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- Jul 17, 2012
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What I would be concerned about is the ability to troubleshoot problems. Simply understanding what it needs to look like is a bit different than getting a young athlete to understand and actually perform that activity. That would be MY personal fear of calling myself a pitching coach. It's also a lot easier with your own child, because you are there with her not only for the hour a week of instruction, but also every workout/practice/game etc. There would certainly be a learning curve as you work with different athletes at different levels, with very different natural abilities. But for that matter...every pitching coach had to start somewhere right? So give it a whirl!
FR
So true......just when I think I've seen it all, a new problem surfaces and I find myself scratching my head. I probably have 4-5 cures for most problems...it is just finding the one that clicks with that particular student.
Da-T
Go for it......no time better then the present.
Relative to what I just said above, if you go back to the basics of how the body moves you can usually find a cure. A big thing to keep in mind is that rotational movements start proximally (center of body) and move out distally (extremities like feet/hands) and just the same when a movement is stopped...proximal first/distal second.
Maybe start with one of your 10 year old daughters friends who also pitches and offer them free (or discounted) lessons to see how it goes teaching a non-daughter student. The one advantage you have in teaching your own kids is that they can have lessons every day from you if they have the time. Teaching once a week will be more difficult and a new experience.
Thanks so much for the replies. All of you have really hit on points that have already been rolling through my mind. The sticky threads in this section have been super super helpful on the problems that I have had with my two daughters during this journey.I never played softball but I have been slowly teaching myself to pitch right along with them. My BIGGEST fear is trying to help a kid and do something that may get her hurt.I have used the sticky threads and many hours watching clips and videos to try to fully understand the I/R pitching concept.So far we haven't came across a problem that the sticky threads couldn't help me with.My daughters I phone 6 video with the slow motion has been a great tool too.I FULLY understand that I am no expert but I think I could do a lot of good if someone needs help. I plan to start helping a few that want my help and we will see how it goes.Every expert was once a beginner right?
