Palm Up Curve

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Nov 27, 2012
197
18
Real pitcher throwing a real curve ball:
sydney_littlejohn_curve2_zpsbhtmhynb.gif


Old guy doing his best to demo how a real pitcher does it...
IcYFay.gif


The key differences being about 15 MPH, 30 years age difference and um...., and one other thing....

IS there any correlation between her wrist Littlejohn's ( I am assuming it's her) wrist position on her down swing and her spin? She is known for her spin than speed and I am wondering if that cocked wrist helps her impart that ridiculous spin.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Positutely! It's darn near impossible to get good spin orientation AND spin RPS without a cupped wrist. I can get good axis by just flicking my middle finger up the inside of the ball at release, but it won't move near as much as a release with the fingers whipping around the outside of the ball.
 
Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
Positutely! It's darn near impossible to get good spin orientation AND spin RPS without a cupped wrist. I can get good axis by just flicking my middle finger up the inside of the ball at release, but it won't move near as much as a release with the fingers whipping around the outside of the ball.

Funny you mentioned this Pauly and my husband had a conversation on how it seemed D had better spins when she used a cup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nov 27, 2012
197
18
Makes both the curve and rise spin SO much better!

I agree, this is my daughter, curve, change and rise are her best pitches with really high spin rate, but don’t have really high velocity. She is still learning to throw drop because her future college coach asked her to develop a down pitch.

8567CC5F-6336-4493-9EA7-6B8702AC7833.jpg
 
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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Hoping she can dial in that drop. For me it’s the primary pitch and foundation for the rise and off speed.
 
Jun 23, 2018
222
63
Texas
My point is, Girls are all different. What works for one may not work for others. As a hard headed dad that spends way to much time searching and lurking trying to figure it all out, I finally realized to let her excel at what she is good at instead of focusing on what is difficult for her. She loves pitching and loves the game.
I hope this post will help at least one Dad and DD.

Thanks for this!!!! As the primary ball stopper and money machine for a very hard headed almost 11yo pitcher, this is a great reminder that they are going to make happen what THEY want. The biggest gains have come when I have shut up and let her figure it out. After all, I'm just there to stop the ball and pay the man.

DD just made a HUGE improvement over the last 2 weeks because SHE went and researched pitching one day during Spring Break. I came home from work and she showed me the Amanda Scarborough slow-mo video that I had seen a thousand times and told me this is how she wants to pitch. As the humble ball stopper I am, I told her I thought she had a great idea and to let me know what I could do to help.

Moral for me: Make it her idea and get out of her way. She will amaze me every time.
 
Oct 10, 2012
502
16
Oklahoma
My point is, Girls are all different. What works for one may not work for others. As a hard headed dad that spends way to much time searching and lurking trying to figure it all out, I finally realized to let her excel at what she is good at instead of focusing on what is difficult for her. She loves pitching and loves the game.
I hope this post will help at least one Dad and DD.


Some of the best advice I have seen on this board. My DD started her journey at 10 and just turned 17 and is committed to a very reputable college. I feel like I have hindered her a little due to the little complexities of pitching we have worked on over the years. Im not saying the little things dont make a difference, because they do, but trying to pound little details of pitching (like exact foot angle at landing) when they are worried about a thousand other things tends to muddy the waters. My point is, kids dont have the body control to do most of the things we are demanding of them until they are about 16-17 years old. Someone that tells you otherwise is plain wrong in my opinion. Work on the major mechanical things when they begin and over time (years not weeks) then the little details tend to work themselves out. If they dont, well then, focus on them only when the child is ready to do it. Thanks for the insight ELKAHOLIC.
 
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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I’ve had a couple people ask me about the corkscrew curve. I may not be doing it right, but I can’t get near the movement (high enough RPS) that I get with a palm up curve.
 
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