desperately need help!

gonna do some video, and show and discuss with her hours or days after. she always insist she is not leaning in, not slowing down, not reaching. I think if I show her video of her with good mechanics, vs video of her with bad, it might help her (video will only be of her, not result of pitch, that will be out of frame).

as for # of pitches, right not time we can work on pitching is limited, because of LL games, TB practice, soccer practice, soccer games, and my availability. I do not want her practicing without some feedback from someone, since it might reinforce the bad habits. definitely gonna have her throw from about 10-15 feet into our driveway gate (about only area we have), so she can focus on mechanics, not result, when I am not around. she ends up throwing many more pitches in games (counted one inning, she threw about 45 pitches in one inning, lots of 3-2 counts, foul balls, and it was pretty typical, most games are 5 innings now), because LL HC generally will not pull either her (or #1 P, not a lot of difference between then, DD when "on" is better, but is off more than #1 pitcher, kinda evens out), they want to let them work it out if they can, and get them experience.

think we will do a "reset" in august, and see if she really wants to continue pitching, knowing the time commitment it will mean. if she shows real time commitment (ie double digit hours per week, in addition to soccer, TB, etc.), then we will move into lessons probably.

Our PC tells us to simply take them out if she isn't throwing hard or throwing her mechanics as he puts it. It only took twice. Baby, I love you but your not throwing your mechanics. We were pitching at very high level for a 10 year old playing 12U. Spotting the FB, good change, curve not good, screw good but not in the game yet, and awesome overhand drop. DD was 5-1 with the TB 12U and he made her go back to only drills because her mechanics were starting to go off. We just started throwing again after a month of drills. FB, change, and curve is all he will let her throw now. Thank goodness it"s him and not me.

Video is a lovely thing, DD's best line ...

I know, I just can stop myself.

On a different note. I recommend teaching them about the mental side as early as possible while teaching pitching. The sooner they can learn how not to get frustrated in the circle, the better off they will be. Teaching 10u players that it's ok to get hit is a big one. If your calling them to pitch strikes, then hits are going to happen. Many young pitchers don't seem to realize that. It seems like most 10u pitchers are going to lean and guide from time to time. It's what they do.

update, practice rained out yesterday, field soaked, but rain stopped late afternoon. I asked if she wanted to practice pitching (we do it in our driveway with gate as backstop). initially, she indicated no, so we had a conversation. I told her if she wants to pitch, especially playing TB, she needs to practice outside of team practices and and any eventual lessons. after good heart to heart, we went out and she threw probably 75 pitches, probably about 50 minutes. much better session than day before (of course, absence of DD1 and her mouth was probably part of that )

just need her to understand that her pitches are just as accurate if not more (especially height wise) when she throws hard as opposed to slowing down and reaching. and if she can consistently hit about the same spot throwing hard (regardless of where it is, strikes or not), we can then start to make adjustments to bring that spot into the zone. but if she is all over the place, no consistent speed, adjustments are pointless and counterproductive. she wants to throw strikes NOW though. part of that is my fault, because as HC for her team last two years (and two years before that, but that was CP), I stressed strikes not speed. then I learned just a little bit about windmill pitching (mostly from here), and I now realize that was a mistake for the development of her as a pitcher (but of course HC part of me in rec games wanted strikes), and have told her that.

CoachBroker said:

On a different note. I recommend teaching them about the mental side as early as possible while teaching pitching. The sooner they can learn how not to get frustrated in the circle, the better off they will be. Teaching 10u players that it's ok to get hit is a big one. If your calling them to pitch strikes, then hits are going to happen. Many young pitchers don't seem to realize that. It seems like most 10u pitchers are going to lean and guide from time to time. It's what they do.

Click to expand...

this is going to be critical for her. one game she came apart in circle because no one was fielding behind her (and by this I mean she was no longer anywhere close, not even one in ten pitches, and frustration was evident in her face, she got pulled). trying to teach her every pitch is a game unto itself, and to focus on winning THAT pitch. the P needs to be able to shut out anything that came before (this goes for every player really, but I think it is heightened for P because they are INITIATING all the action, where all the other players (defense, batter, runners) are REACTING to the pitch and subsequent results (ball hit, past ball, etc.), so less thinking involved).

My daughter used to get upset when I talked to her during games. Actually her tb coach forbids it. I agree with others that recording her and discussing after the game is much more affective. I use an app called technique that works really well. Also I think lessons are the best way to go. It bothers me a little how she listens to her coach and instructor and not to her father. But showing her videos is the only way I can get through to her.

There is something about 10yo daughters not wanting Dad's help with ANYTHING...

If you can't say anything during game, buy a GoPro (or some other camera) and video each game, then go through some of it with DD and offer your advice then. Be sure to point out good things along with the bad.

Oh, and next time she asks you to stop telling her to "stand tall" during games, just tell her you will when she stops leaning...

I suggest that you play catch with her. Have her throw long toss, both overhand and underhand. The only comment you are allowed to make is "nice job."
As a pitching coach, the only types of comments that i make are about the situation we are in, I do not offer pitching advice. I do call time out, frequently and I go out and see if any thing is wrong. "Do you need a drink?" "This batter hit to first base, last time." That sort of thing.

In the dugout, I might tell her more about her pitching and where the batters are in the line up.

Amy in AZ. said:

I suggest that you play catch with her. Have her throw long toss, both overhand and underhand. The only comment you are allowed to make is "nice job."
As a pitching coach, the only types of comments that i make are about the situation we are in, I do not offer pitching advice. I do call time out, frequently and I go out and see if any thing is wrong. "Do you need a drink?" "This batter hit to first base, last time." That sort of thing.

In the dugout, I might tell her more about her pitching and where the batters are in the line up.

Click to expand...

we are not remotely anywhere close to this type of situation yet. situational pitching is only useful if she has control. right now, there are pretty much equal chances of her a)smoking one somewhere in the zone b) throwing hard, but to either batters box, not the plate, or c) looping one over the umpires head, and often off line as well. I have started to introduce her to the idea that at 0-1, 0-2, 1-2 counts, it is Ok to "waste", but this is theory only right now (ie talking while wathing someone else pitch, especially watching NCAA on TV), we need to limit WP/PB in games to keep runners honest (see b and c above). we are just focusing on throwing hard, trying to find a consistent location. then we will adjust and build from there.