Dip-n-Drive

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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
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Pac NW
With Monica Abbott now being softball's most prominent figure and a dipper, it seems like a good topic for discussion.



What are the advantages of dipping?
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
I'm going to step out on a limb here.... I see Abbott's huge dip prior to her actual drive as purely style and not directly adding anything in terms of more speed and/or more spin to the ball. I dunno... Might be a action taken to wake up, or activate, the legs. Might well add to the intimidation effect (gets small, then GOLIATH). I have a lot of clips of Abbott pitching, all show her bending forward. But, this is the first one I now have of her dipping down like this, so I assume this huge dip is something relatively new to her style.
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
She's added it in the last few months. There's another college pitcher from the last couple years who was also a dipper, but I don't recall who it was? I think PC referenced her once.

We had a local PC who taught dip and I really never understood why.

I've tried it and can feel how it seems to promote the urge for a strong drive. Seems like dipping 100+ times per game would take a toll on the body? Guys--If you try it yourself, I'd suggest not wearing jeans... Just sayin'. ;)
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
Seems like dipping 100+ times per game would take a toll on the body? Guys--If you try it yourself, I'd suggest not wearing jeans... Just sayin'. ;)

I was just going to say that the sit down in a chair thing (or this dipping down) sure would be a great leg-strengthening/conditioning activity at the end of practice.

I'd also like to point out to others that the actual thrust of Abbott's drive isn't even part of this dipping action. She appears to simply dip, come up into her old bent over style, then stands up driving the hips forward as she gets into-the-h-and-GOES (THRUST) we are all familiar with.
 
Last edited:
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
She's added it in the last few months. There's another college pitcher from the last couple years who was also a dipper, but I don't recall who it was? I think PC referenced her once. We had a local PC who taught dip and I really never understood why.

I've tried it and can feel how it seems to promote the urge for a strong drive. Seems like dipping 100+ times per game would take a toll on the body? Guys--If you try it yourself, I'd suggest not wearing jeans... Just sayin'. ;)

Hoover... I think ??? Not sure if she is a "dipper" but she goes way lower than most...
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
Hey...liking this thread... we were kinda spilling over in the other one.

For me the chair is just away to get the feel for... no long term usage in mind. Although I did see Lauren Hagger in her new teaching clip showing the chair. For me bringing the ball back past the hip... or until you feel the left foot heel raise on its own. That que's to dig in toe & push to push to start the drive of right foot.

As far as a exercise... only need the pistol squat... once you can do 8 times, and have moved to doing them on a stability disc... I think you'll be done lookin for anything else... :cool:

I know you 2 know ...both YU & MA put in a step. My DD probably won't be able to pull that off. @ 6'3" MA don't need to do the stuff YU has to... she can just put in stuff to kill time...
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Carley Hoover

hoover_back2_zpsbrsiyosv.gif
 

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