IR vs "Non"

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Mar 22, 2017
3
0
I am sure that I am going to get ripped for this, but just looking for some honest advice. My DD is a 10u pitcher who has been pretty successful. She throws it hard, good speed and accuracy. She works hard, putting in lots of time during the week. So here is the question I have. I know very basic about IR, Ive read posts and watched videos. I don't feel comfortable enough to try to make changes to her "working" form. We have used a few different pitching coaches, non of them use IR. We live in Arkansas, and we have even driven 2hrs to one who alot of girls use in the heart of the state, but feel more like it is a money maker practice, rather than a form evaluation. I know that there are many on here, if not all who are die hard IR, but my question to you is.. Is she going to be successful throughout her career not using IR? How much will not using IR hurt her in the long run? Not looking to get run down for this question, as I stated above, I'm a novice in this area. Just looking for some advice.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I would suggest you watch some college games and come to your own conclusion.

They do throw a lot of fastballs so I would ignore the argument that they are throwing something besides a fastball all the time.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
if she is "pushing" the ball down the backside of the circle (hand turns backward, toward 2B at the top of her circle, and ball remains facing rearward, and then downward as she comes into release....)
rather than "pulling" the ball down the backside of the circle (hand faces forward, toward HP at the top of the circle, and ball remains facing forward, and then upward as she comes into release....)

then she will likely top-out in the low-50s for speed as a high school pitcher,
and her control will likely suffer, as well.

but, there are very few pitchers out there that have any degree of success, at any age, that are 100% strictly HE mechanics.
many are taught to "finish" (arm position after release) like they just bowled the ball, but slo-mo review will reveal otherwise...
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
If your daughter was talented enough physically and mentally she could still have a fine career pitching with sub par mechanics.

Mind you I am not talking about stylistic movements I am talking about core pitching movements. What you will find is that those pitchers (pitching without IR) don't scale as they age. Sure some outlier somewhere is pitching college with sub par mechanics.

Your daughter could hit .290 standing on one leg holding the bat upside down but why would you?
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
With all of the misinformation out there, it amazes me how many kids do their routines of push down, wrist snap and pull up--yet throw with pretty good mechanics. Watch your daughter in slow motion. Does the upper arm pause at the side while the lower arm whips? Does she have good posture at release that promotes brush? If not and she is getting the job done now, unless she learns to whip, her pitching days will be limited at 12U and after.
 
May 20, 2016
433
63
My DD is the same age, though we do strictly IR, even though her travel coach teaches push. They'll do fine through 12U getting it over the plate, after that it will become a struggle. Kids at that age are quick learners, it will be much easier to start the change now as opposed to 4 years from now.
 
Dec 8, 2015
249
18
Philadelphia, PA
My DD did HE for 2 years and was pretty successful at it (she was throwing mid 40s as a 9 y.o.). A couple weeks prior to her tournament season (and against her HC wishes) as a 1st year 10u I switched her to IR. Not going to lie, it took a good 6 months before the HE movements disappeared, but now she's throwing harder and with more control.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Comparing and contrasting my DD's PC's students (control, speed, how fast they learn, etc) with another instructor locally who does not teach IR would be enough to convince me to switch if I were an outside observer. It's pretty stark. I'm sure some of it is individual talent but certainly not all of it.
 

SB45

Dad, Coach, Chauffeur
Sep 2, 2016
150
28
Western NY
There are lots of factors...but IMHO, the two big things most coaches fail to get are IR and brush...without those your kid will plateau...somewhere from 12-14. You will work really hard to break through the plateau or just to keep up...spending the next couple of years instilling muscle memory you will eventually have to try and break...making the transition progressively harder the longer you put it off.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Have your daughter do a glove snap. Then ask her to do a couple more, really hard. IME what you will see is IR not HE. If you video her you will probably see some IR components already in her motion. Why, because it is the natural way to throw. Even kids who learn with HE end up with IR as they evolve into better pitchers. Some great pitchers like Finch will steadfastly claim they throw with HE and even teach it, but video does not lie. The best in the game throw with IR. So are you trying to build a stud 10U pitcher or someone who will have a chance to become a stud college pitcher?
 

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