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javasource
6-4-3 = 2
Ken,
6-12, 12-6... I got that backwards compared to your illustrations...
What I meant...
1) 12/6 Drop Spin. There should be NO sacrifice in this axis... neither tilted, nor yawed.
Why? All pitched balls in this game need to be released with an upward trajectory to make it to the catcher. As drop spin is opposite the directed inertia of the ball... it only influences the pitch most noticeably once the ball has reached maximum peak and starts dropping. Same goes for a Level 2 rise... they truly flatten out, as there is less upward trajectory at release. But... because the intended trajectory of a rise is uphill the entire way... a slight yaw or tilt still makes it "lift".
To help those that are confused, tilt is an expression meaning OFF vertical. Therefore, a 12-6 cannot be tilted, but it can be yawed. 7-1 is tilt. I don't like any tilt or yaw on a drop ball.
Here's drop spin... 60mph, 20rps, filmed at angle, but 12-6 spin... you'll get the point about movement. Notice... no lines. I like the seams on my softball... like I prefer my coffee... DARK. This way, I can train a pitcher how to recognize their spin with something other than a stripe/dot... that won't be there at game time:
Here's a comparison of three drop balls. Consecutive pitches, same speed (56-58) & spin (16-18 rps), etc. Two of them are 12-6... and one is tilted (5-11... she's a lefty). The green lines represent the "drop" each pitch had. Guess which one is tilted a little? Amazing how much this alters a drop in softball. I put the third pure 12-6 in there to show that the rop distance is nearly identical... albeit a higher pitch:
And finally... here's a 7-1 (tilt) with about 15-20 degrees of yaw. When thrown on 2-seams (as illustrated)... this pitch will move because of the laminar airflow on the left side of the ball... and turbulent airflow on the right. A 7-1 without yaw won't cut in softball. Nor will a 6-12 with yaw... as the air contacts both sides of the ball the same... hence, the reason I teach 7-1 with yaw... and you need to grip this spin on 2... not 4 seams.
I really hate the fact that tinypic is down... photobucket is slow as death to upload...
Edit: I slowed down the gifs in black and white when movement really starts happening.... the first is down... the second is left...
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What does a 7-1 yawed do? Sorry for my ignorance, hoping to learn something? Is it just a 2 seam fastball?
javasource
6-4-3 = 2
Coach, Looks like we were posting around the same time... see my post just above yours for an explanation...
The reason 2-seam FB's movement is so often 'unpredictable' is because most don't ever see the exactness of spin necessary to make the left side of the ball "smooth" to the air passing over it. When you just tilt a 2-seam, both sides are turbulent... and if same applies if you just throw a 12-6 with yaw. Combining 7-1 with yaw produces the most consistent movement, in my opinion.
Thanks java.
*wince*...
I've never warmed-up to the idea of sitting on a bucket to catch like that.
Especially a 55+ drop ball.
Those guys in the vids seem, so... well... exposed.
maybe they are done having children.... lol
I've never warmed-up to the idea of sitting on a bucket to catch like that.
Especially a 55+ drop ball.
Those guys in the vids seem, so... well... exposed.
maybe they are done having children.... lol
javasource
6-4-3 = 2
Both those guys are warriors, IMO. I have witnessed both take a bunch for the team... the B/W missed one of those exactly placed 2-seamers... and the guy in color has shins of steal. I comfortably remain the cameraman. 
Looking forward to trying this:
Combined with my flamingo drill, I'm hoping this will boost spin recognition with my kids
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