Wind Up Swingback

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Jul 15, 2016
115
18
Well, in the most recent search for the lost pitch our PC made what I thought was a big change. She eliminated DD's swingback. Eureka!! We've found it!! At least we have for the last 2 days. I just wanted to get some feedback on the swingback. Is it advised or is it thought of poorly? Does it provide any benefit? The elimination helped DD stay balanced and drive forward off the rubber. As mentioned earlier, its only been 2 outings since but she seems to be more comfortable and mechanics are improved. Keep in mind shes 9 so any change that gets her back on track is a pretty big deal to both her and I. Looking forward to hearing what the experts say. Thanks for all the great info on this site!
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Disclaimer: I am not an expert

Just using the Hansen principle I would say yes most women use a swing back of some kind, not all just most I looked at and some are bigger than others.

Now Bill Hillhouse is going to shoot me but using the same Hansen principle most men do not. I'm not going to start some big discussion because Bill has forgotten more about pitching than I will ever know there are a few reason why I think that is but maybe that's for another thread.

In the end I think swing back would fit into the "style" versus "must haves" as far as mechanics go. I understand why you would not want to but again for women there might be more gained by using a swing back than lost by doing it.
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
YOU...Simply stand in the pitching position... get 6" between your feet...roughly spread them 23". Act like you got a ball & glove, hold hand over fist, and bring back to your pocket...Now bring them back past your pocket... That's exactly how far back you need to crouch & coil... for your size... That's all the further the ball needs to come back. You want more drive, bring it past your leg it will lift your heel of back foot... it will auto set you down as far as you need to go for your size... JMHO :cool: Do the same when hitting...

anything else takes too much thinking & syncing...this game is easy
 
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Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
When dd was 9 or early 10 we worked with no backswing as a drill and she was 1-2 mph faster consistently. As soon as she would go to full back swing, she slowed down. But she didnt like the feel of no back swing. Mostly she doesnt like doing what others aren't doing (that is a whole other problem).
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
When dd was 9 or early 10 we worked with no backswing as a drill and she was 1-2 mph faster consistently. As soon as she would go to full back swing, she slowed down. But she didnt like the feel of no back swing. Mostly she doesnt like doing what others aren't doing (that is a whole other problem).

That's it !!! All it takes is getting bombed .... try it you self.... it's the default setting. :cool: It is a absolute JMHO
 
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Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Plenty of very elite pitcher have a good sized swingback, does that make it right or wrong...no...just sayin' If it makes you feel better go for it either way with or without...my vote is it is style :rolleyes:

Be happy to look at any of the big name players we throw around on here as model pitchers Amanda, Jennie, Monica, Sarah, Yukiko, Cat, Keilani, Whitney...I can go on all day...we can say well no you should not or no it does not help but one thing this sight is famous for is actually looking at what elite level players do and barring some really compelling reason its probably hard to label that thing as a bad thing and you should probably not be afraid of emulating what great pitchers do.
 
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Dec 5, 2012
4,143
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Mid West
I'm completely an advocate of what ever SHE likes because Id consider this a style choice and less of an absolute. However if you do decide to load in the glove, be aware of any premature rotation. Most girls will inadvertently have their shoulders and hips already open when they come off the rubber. Just continue to encourage her to drive straight towards the catcher with square hips and shoulders. The pitching store doesn't open til 3:00... :cool:
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
Plenty of very elite pitcher have a good sized swingback, does that make it right or wrong...no...just sayin' If it makes you feel better go for it either way with or without...my vote is it is style :rolleyes:

Be happy to look at any of the big name players we throw around on here as model pitchers Amanda, Jennie, Monica, Sarah, Yukiko, Cat, Keilani, Whitney...I can go on all day...we can say well no you should not or no it does not help but one thing this sight is famous for is actually looking at what elite level players do and barring some really compelling reason its probably hard to label that thing as a bad thing and you should probably not be afraid of emulating what great pitchers do.

All the above are sub 75mph... LOL...JK :cool:
 
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Apr 12, 2015
792
93
I consider the backswing largely a personal preference. Its part of the individual style and as long as it doesn't get in the way of any of the absolutes or is completely out of whack I'll tend to leave it alone. A lot of people will advocate pitching from the glove to hide the ball and grip longer.

That said, I did have one girl whose backswing was so out of whack it threw the rest of her motion off and effected the rest of the pitch.
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
Hi mikfish711,

Congrats, and you have some good advice offered to you so far.

I'm just curious, did your daughter's pitching coach explain his/her reason for making a big change to you? That would be very important. Perhaps they have, but you just wish to compare some notes.

On my little dust particle in the world, we don't promote either the single, or double swingback. There are many reasons, of which Bill has already outlined. He has more tape out there than Scotch Brand, take a look for yourself. It's very well explained.

That said, there are times when a double swingback can help dexterity in beginning pitchers, so that's ok in very early development. At a minimum, it promotes the four quadrants working in synergy. However, I highly promote loose elbow "hinges" in that process as to maintain a level of natural front side & back side bend. Never a front or back side locked "hinge".

Otherwise, the goal is to always promote hands working together in a natural power-line flow. Benefit = pitcher, as they advance competively.

Of the 60+ girls participating at the DFF pitching clinic, a minimum 30% were already wearing elbow wraps. Not a surprise, as maybe 90% of those participants pitched with a locked front-side pitching elbow. Ironically, many of those same kids had nice natural bend & hinge movement in the non-pitching arm. I urge parents to super slo-mo that type of movement around the stop-and-go point in the back swing. The amount of stress directly placed into the shoulder & elbow joints is incredible. We don't want that, and always look to minimize any injury chances.

Best of luck to you & your daughter's continued training successes!

:D
 

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