HE vs. IR apprehensive of switching 9yr. old

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 6, 2016
15
3
My daughter is 9 and will hopefully start pitching in 10U this fall. She has done lessons the last 1.5 yrs. and has been taught hello elbow, did not know what it was called until doing research on IR. Due to scheduling issues we can't go to her instructor anymore. We recently started with a new instructor and he teaches IR. Needless to say the first lesson was very hard for my daughter. I am a little apprehensive of making the switch. Please correct me if I am wrong, but with IR it is more natural and puts less strain on shoulder of pitchers. This seems like a good enough reason to go on with the switch. The other thing I have found is that it sounds like it will allow for better speed as she gets older. What would be the pros or cons of switching?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Con is she might need to shutdown in games for a little while, maybe months.

Pros, she will be a pitcher limited by her talent and work ethic.
 
Sep 10, 2013
603
0
i wished my DD had switched earlier... or never started with HE for that matter.
expect some time for a transition and during this time, you and your DD's patience could be severely tested, or it may not, but just to be safe, be prepared should it happen.
switch now and don't look back
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
If she loves to pitch, switching ASAP will give her the best chance of having success in the circle. She (you) won't regret the change to more efficient mechanics.
 
Dec 8, 2015
249
18
Philadelphia, PA
When my DD made the switch she was instructed not to game pitch for 2 months. Since it was the start of tournament season that wasn't an option. It took 6 months to convert but the differences in her pitching is noticeable.
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
I would suggest watching some of the best in the world and do what they're doing. You will find that I/R is the way to go. Ueno, Osterman, Abbott, and Finch are just a few examples. Study up on Drive Mechanics, B/I and I/R and you will be well off in your DDs journey. A ton of good info from some great caring and knowledgeable people on DFP. I would also suggest reading posts from DFPers who have gone from HE to I/R and have posted videos of their struggles and accomplishments. A lot to learn from here but will pay in the long run. Good luck and hope to see some video/posts of the wonderful journey.
 
Apr 12, 2015
792
93
Switch now and don't worry about results. My DD spent her first year 10U being taught HE and her second year 10U transitioning. She was easily one of the worst pitchers in the age group during this time while kids with horrible mechanics could blow the ball by batters and have success.

First year 12U, those pitchers were either wild or getting hammered. Second year 12U now, my DD is among the top of her age group.

IOW, don't be too results orientated at the 10U level. More than half the girls there are studs at 10U aren't even going to be playing in four years.
 
May 6, 2016
15
3
So it has been 3 weeks and my daughter is doing pretty good. She is struggling with the brush contact. Instructor wants her hand to brush the thigh. The videos of IR pitchers I have watched looks more like forearm brushes the thigh. Any recommendations on drills to help with this? She is doing the lock it in drill.
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,474
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top