Considering who your DD is, I think you know more about the subject than 99%+ of softball parents.
Radar gun enemy
- Thread starter Crystal Brown
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Considering who your DD is, I think you know more about the subject than 99%+ of softball parents.
Ok Crystal, here's what you do. Get yourself a set of batteries that look like the ones in the gun but that are dead. Substitute the dead batteries for the good ones, then complain the gun won't come on. That will get you by at least now and then. 
IME, as soon as the gun comes out during practice speed goes down. That's why I rarely use mine, and I have both a Ball Coach and a Jugs. When I think speed has increased I will bring out a gun to check. Or if I'm looking at where one pitcher is relative to another I will bring out a gun. But for the most part, I'd rather just focus on helping pitchers learn how to get hitters out. Which requires more than raw speed.
IME, as soon as the gun comes out during practice speed goes down. That's why I rarely use mine, and I have both a Ball Coach and a Jugs. When I think speed has increased I will bring out a gun to check. Or if I'm looking at where one pitcher is relative to another I will bring out a gun. But for the most part, I'd rather just focus on helping pitchers learn how to get hitters out. Which requires more than raw speed.
ArmyStrong
Going broke on softball
I used to be that guy too! While being gunned, DD put her all into throwing fast and ended up slower. Finally, I came to the conclusion that speed comes from optimizing mechanics, not trying to throw fast. Now, the PRBC only comes out when we're finding out speeds of other pitchers.
I will only gun DD when:
1. She asks me, and
2. She has a good reason.
If you're the primary person catching for your DD, you'll know when she's throwing faster than normal. For me, that's good enough.
I will only gun DD when:
1. She asks me, and
2. She has a good reason.
If you're the primary person catching for your DD, you'll know when she's throwing faster than normal. For me, that's good enough.
I agree with Ken. In my pitching facility I have a radar gun with a digital readout screen that shows the speed of every pitch.........it tells me (and eventually the student and parent) so much. When working on things like arm whip, IR, Brush Trigger, drive energy, energy transfer, etc., etc. it is an invaluable tool. When a pitcher or parent becomes infatuated with top speed it can be an issue.
Typically, I carve out a short section of every lesson to throw for just top speed.....again, a very valuable piece of information. I measure average speed and top speed from several different back chained positions.....again, this gives me a lot of information regarding if there is a problem with arm whip, arm speed, stability, or drive energy, etc....it points to the area to work on the most.
If a pitcher or parent can't get over the obsession of throwing 70 mph then IMO that may be a very limiting factor in overall progression. This kid will probably never surpass the description of being a "thrower" vs being a "pitcher.
shaker1
Softball Junkie
Seen the setup in videos, Nice! I think a kid could get used to that fairly quickly. Use it as a tool, instead of a distraction.
I think it can be used as a helpful tool...if combined with other means. If you are lecturing after every off pitch or not pitching fast enough, it becomes a problem. Last lesson when you asked Dom about being clocked she hesitated then dad answered...that was why. Dad does have OCD(which has been diagnosed with a dr). The radar is a new toy for him. I know he isn't the only parent who does this...have seen it before. I thought it is a good topic to bring up because like him, other parent don't see how it can be hindering. I remember a team DD recently guest played with who told her her she was trying too hard. I didn't know what it meant...now I understand.
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