Pitching critique 11yr old.

Similar situation. You can see Monica's detached from the pitcher's plate (bottom) compared to no detach (top).

I don't have any good video from when she was throwing harder. When all this started happening you could see that she was trying to aim the ball. Her drive hasn't changed. That's how it's been and is a work in progress. I'm thinking that it may be arm lag and whip and probably aiming as well. Looking at the gif that knightSb posted looks like her arm is to straight. What you think?

Another thing I wanted to mention. I know this might sound crazy but is there such a thing as to much brush? One thing that I've noticed is when we are practicing and I tell her to brush. She hits and her arm just slows down and ball comes out slow.

Aiming can be a tough cookie, but once her form is pretty solid, lots of reps can help build muscle memory and confidence. A good catcher makes a big difference...

I think one of the keys with whip is to keep the lower arm loose. The upper arm should pull the lower arm/ball all the way around the circle.

Her posture could use a little tweak or two as well. Compare the drag leg action of your daughter's to those posted by knightsb. With the exception of Finch, you'll notice the laces are down and pulling forward going into release. (When you drag the side of the foot all the way into release, the right hip tends to stay back/open. This can lead to a slight bend and makes it hard to get any benefit from brush.) Ask her to think about dragging her toenails and pulling the insides of her knees together. It's ok if the foot turns sideways when she is completely open/extended, but as she pulls in to release, I'd like it to transition to laces forward/toe down.

catmaster said:

Another thing I wanted to mention. I know this might sound crazy but is there such a thing as to much brush? One thing that I've noticed is when we are practicing and I tell her to brush. It's like the ball comes out slower.

Click to expand...

Yes and no. With a straight arm or forced bend in the elbow--contact can be bad. With a whippy arm and good posture, brush helps. Don't force brush. Set the stage for it to happen with good whip and form. Once she has her whip and posture dialed, that's when I might look for a gap and ask her to release closer to the thigh.

catmaster said:

Another thing I wanted to mention. I know this might sound crazy but is there such a thing as to much brush? One thing that I've noticed is when we are practicing and I tell her to brush. It's like the ball comes out slower.

Click to expand...

Brush with good arm whip is the key
or is it -
Good arm whip with brush is the key

If you do not allow the upper arm to stabilize in order to whip the lower arm, pitchers end up bashing themselves in the hip or bruising the forearm as they blow through the throw zone.



Pauly calls it Brush assisted whip. Good brush can enhance the arm whip and increase speed.

This shot seems REALLY counterintuitive, yet she throws like this hundreds of times per week (which helped her earn a million $ contract.) She doesn't bonk her arm on her hip. As her upper arm pauses, the lower arm wraps/rolls under the hip bone and around the thigh.

Thanks for all responses and advice given in this thread and through private messages. I now have better understanding of what DD needs to work on. Hopefully it all comes together. Thanks