Where to start when coaching pitching.

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Aug 31, 2014
24
1
First off let me preface this with; I'm not a pitching coach but I'm all most of these girls in my area have and I want them to be successful or throw the ball over the plate. I have planned to spend the summer training 6 freshman pitchers with little or no experience. I have a senior pitcher that does most of my pitching. But time is running out. Where can I start? I am building a youth program but I'm still about four years out before those pitchers make it my way. I can't defend against walks. What have you been successful with in teaching pitching. What are the best drills for release point? Also do the shoulders have to be back at release point?


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Jul 17, 2012
1,091
38
The priority is proper mechanics.

Your Challenges, assuming you're going to be the "Pitching Coach":
1) Having the proper resources to train a pitcher the correct way
2) Having the proper resources to train a pitcher the correct way and finding kids that have the desire to put the time in.
3) Having the proper resources to train a pitcher the correct way and finding kids that have the desire to put the time in that also have parents that will put the time in and support the kids.

This is almost a culture you need to build in your community.... where softball means something and it's worth the time and effort. It's a monumental effort, and it all usually starts with one coach, and one player that have great success that breeds great interest.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
With HS and college winding down I would have a pitching coach come in to help you. Ask as many questions as you can think of.

Charge all the pitchers $20 or something like that.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
First off let me preface this with; I'm not a pitching coach but I'm all most of these girls in my area have and I want them to be successful or throw the ball over the plate. I have planned to spend the summer training 6 freshman pitchers with little or no experience. I have a senior pitcher that does most of my pitching. But time is running out. Where can I start? I am building a youth program but I'm still about four years out before those pitchers make it my way. I can't defend against walks. What have you been successful with in teaching pitching. What are the best drills for release point? Also do the shoulders have to be back at release point?


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http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/10321-i-r-classroom.html

Here is where I would start. Teach them how to throw underhand correctly.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/10321-i-r-classroom.html

Here is where I would start. Teach them how to throw underhand correctly.

This is really the only weay to go, IMO.

and I would add to this, aside from learning upper-body "underhand throwing mechanics";
if I could go back, I would couple this with proper drag foot/ankle/knee/hip positioning and alignment.

I just see SOOOOoooooooo many pitchers who are lacking in this area.
And my own DD continually works to break the old habits with regard to "rear leg".
Would've been a lot better to have ingrained the proper lower mechanics early on!

And to clarify: I'm not talking full-blown "Drive Mechanics",
just insuring that the rear hip stays aligned with the shoulders and that the rear leg is not left behind, is all.
That's a great foundation to have, and to build upon later on.
 
Last edited:
Mar 23, 2011
492
18
Noblseville, IN
http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/10321-i-r-classroom.html

Here is where I would start. Teach them how to throw underhand correctly.

Agree... Learn and duplicate the IR motion with I/R in the Classroom.

Build on it with Pitching lessons with Rick Pauly

Go in and out of Drive Mechanics for technical understanding


These really are fantastic, top of the line, instruction sets. Before I/R in the classroom, many of us had to learn by hanging on every word of every post. What the experts here have rolled into those threads could have easily been turned into a DVD set, book, or both.

It's a hundred times better than the old way:

step 1. Read for days on DFP
step 2. Post to ask basic questions like what does IR mean
step 3. Discuss new information with pitching coach
step 4. Receive severe tongue lashing
step 5. Drive home telling daughter that PI doesn't know squat
step 6. Repeat
 

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