Can you teach yourself to pitch?

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Nov 18, 2015
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Though still only at the coach pitch level, the girls will start pitching at some point next year. (IIRC - mid-way through the 3rd grade spring season).

For those of you who taught themselves to pitch as an adult, what helped you the most?

I'm not looking to step in the circle for a local men's fastpitch league, but I would like to be able to teach the basics, without needing to send the girls to a pitching coach or clinics just to try a new position.

Underhand I can throw strikes, and I think I can feel a little bit of the arm whip action, but my brain is so hardwired for overhand, that the few attempts I've made at a full windmill are a disaster. I've read most of the I/R thread, but also need to add the disclaimer that I haven't really gotten out there yet and practiced pitching myself.

Any advice on what the biggest hurdles for you were, what you had to envision or feel your body do differently, or best drills, is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

--Gags
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Just do it!! I did it just to be able to throw BP to my 12U rec team.

I your DD won't catch for you, just throw into a tarp or net.

Burn thru the IR thread, also Java's back chaining stuff...not sure if that's in there or separate. Also just read thru some of the pitching threads from the last year or so at you can see all the flaws and fixes recommended. Lots of underhand throwing correctly. Also working on drive. It was actually lots of fun.

Video tape yourself and self diagnose your errors most of them will be the same things we talk about on here all the time. You can probably get yourself to throwing BP in a few months assuming you have some athletic acumen.

I was actually terrible mechanically but I could get the ball over pretty consistently.
 
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shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
I learned right along with my youngest. Truth be told I probably like to practice more than her. Just step and throw for me, but you can get pretty good speed after awhile. Figured it would help the oldest dd with hitting too, she hates the pitching machine, plus it helps with timing someone actually pitching to her. Like mentioned above, just throw into a net to get the mech down, then just work on control while playing catch with your dd. It'll come
Won't do anything but help your team, wish I'd found this place when our bunch was 3rd graders. Dang!!
 
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Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
#1 is the same way you get to Carnegie Hall in New York - practice! A lot. Obsessively.

The threads mentioned above are great places to start. Pick up Bill Hillhouse's video, and a few other videos along the way. Study everything, see where the similarities and differences are.

A big thing a lot of adult males have to learn to do is relax instead of trying to muscle the ball in there. Let the arm swing freely instead of tightening it up. Tight muscles don't whip.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I HIGHLY recommend doing this!!! I think every parent and coach should attend at least one session with a PC! The experience makes it so much easier to see what they're doing, feel it and be able to communicate with them. Working through mechanics, spins, grips and control will give you a whole new outlook on what these kids go through. I'm hoping the Fastpitch Foundations will be live soon so you'll be able to get all your info in one place. Meanwhile, hit the I/R and Drive Mechanics Stickies and check out these videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxecAGYoi5Hav_GIfV47yA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqeXLsGFXa0xsGdguEPYU9w
https://www.youtube.com/user/PaulyGirl1

Have fun!!!
 
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Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Thanks for everyone's input so far.

This would be so much easier if I could watch youtube @ work! (proving once again - work has that annoying habit of getting in the way of what's really important.
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
It can be done, but it's really hard. I had a player who taught herself to pitch by watching youtube videos. She was good for an inning, once in a while two, in 8u, struggled in 10U but was ok for one inning. The biggest thing that held her back was that she had no idea how to correct herself if things started falling apart.
 
May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
I HIGHLY recommend doing this!!! I think every parent and coach should attend at least one session with a PC! The experience makes it so much easier to see what they're doing, feel it and be able to communicate with them. Working through mechanics, spins, grips and control will give you a whole new outlook on what these kids go through. I'm hoping the Fastpitch Foundations will be live soon so you'll be able to get all your info in one place. Meanwhile, hit the I/R and Drive Mechanics Stickies and check out these videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxecAGYoi5Hav_GIfV47yA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqeXLsGFXa0xsGdguEPYU9w
https://www.youtube.com/user/PaulyGirl1

Have fun!!!

Don't you know people got to go to work in the morning? << Sarcasm. You just kept me up for almost 2 hours watching pitching video's by Balswick, Pauly Girl, and Hillhouse. Watched some of them twice.

Thank you for posting those links.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Seriously, if yuou haven't already, check out Mike's stuff. The dude studies like you wouldn't believe then breaks it down from his perspective. Really looking forward to seeing what the Fab 3 put out with Fastpitch Foundations!
 
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