Is there a simple definition of HE?

I have not been able to find a simple definition of HE on this site, is there a thread that explains it?

DD started with a new PC today. The coach had her bring up her arm after the release and stop her arm so the her elbow was pointing to the catcher. Is that HE?

Sounds like it.

I am not sure the word stop ever came up with DD, she never stops. That would concern me right away.

Bob,

Ken B posted this in another thread recently, and it's the best simple HE vs IR breakdown I've seen:

Ken B said:

"Hello Elbow" might look like these:
Softball Pitching: How To Pitch a Softball | Softball Drills & Tips Video Library | PlaySportsTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc99t_g9RUs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83tC79baMU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDUC-B-eGA

Hello Elbow can be characterized by these points:
-Ball facing 2nd base at 12 o'clock
-Wrist cocked back--ready to snap
-Arm speed is critical
-Ball is pushed down to release
-Wrist snaps violently at the "release point."
-Hand/fingers peel up the ball
-Arm forcefully pulls up hard and finishes with the fingers touching the shoulder and elbow pointing at the target
-Hips snap through and face squarely to target after release


Arm whip (IR) looks like these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5X86nD_WS4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmiG4ji3onQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6z39S19x8o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQz7CKn0SS4

Whip/IR might be characterized by:
-The ball is pulled around the circle
-Lower arm is loose and relaxed, resulting in a lagged lower arm and ball
-Palm is facing upwards from 9-8 o'clock
-Upper arm pauses at the ribs allowing the lower arm/ball to accelerate
-Upper arm internally rotates, elbow stays flexed
-Lower arm wraps/rolls/brushes around the hip--triggering release
-Lower arm/wrist/hand rotates from a palm up/supinated position to a palm downish/pronated position
-Overall follow through is relaxed and natural

Click to expand...

I would say yes when you here snap the wrist, bring the elbow up, finish with patting yourself on the shoulder those are all signs off hello elbow type instruction. Ken B's breakdown is great.

In my mind the simplest thing I ask myself is does it look like she is bowling.

Thanks, I am beginning to understand it, but it seems like it will be a while before I fully, if ever, get it.

BTW, why is it called Hello Elbow, because at the finish "elbow pointing at the target" detail?

The simple explanation "PUSHING the ball down the last half of the circle vs. PULLING the ball down the circle"

Bob516 said:

Thanks, I am beginning to understand it, but it seems like it will be a while before I fully, if ever, get it.

BTW, why is it called Hello Elbow, because at the finish "elbow pointing at the target" detail?

Click to expand...

I think the best way to understand the difference is to feel the difference. Try the cues for yourself. If you are able--learn along with your pitcher. It makes a huge difference in your understanding of what she is going through and makes communicating with her SO MUCH easier.

"Whip" is maximizing the amazing and God-given articulations of the shoulder, elbow, lower arm and and wrist. The shoulder alone is an amazing joint. When you combine each of their abilities, you have a complex, bio-mechanical machine than can produce a whipping action. The muscles alone can't achieve the maximum potential of the human body when it comes to propelling a ball. Muscles, combined with the crazy articulations of the arm joints--can whip the to amazing speeds.

"Hello Elbow" seems to have been coined and perpetuated by dear and respected members of the softball community in an attempt to explain the pitching motion. The Hello Elbow motion emphasizes muscle-dependant actions like arm speed, wrist snap and pulling up from the elbow joint.

Study of slow motion video of the world's best pitchers has unequivocally proven that maximum speed is much more the result of technique than major muscle actions. Think about a bullwhip. There are no mechanical mechanisms contained within the length of a bullwhip, yet, a skilled operator can send a power wave down it's 8 foot length to the tip--propelling it past the speed of sound!!!

Whip is out there. Every successful pitcher uses it regardless of how they think they generate their speed. Misconceptions abound--just like in hitting and throwing. Hello elbow is just like the "L" position and wrist flicks often taught in overhand throwing or "squish the bug" in hitting. The concepts and instruction unfortunately are wide spread.

My hope is that continued study will lead to validation and the spread of more effective instruction.

Ken B said:

I think the best way to understand the difference is to feel the difference. Try the cues for yourself. If you are able--learn along with your pitcher. It makes a huge difference in your understanding of what she is going through and makes communicating with her SO MUCH easier.

Study of slow motion video of the world's best pitchers has unequivocally proven that maximum speed is much more the result of technique than major muscle actions.

Click to expand...

I would imagine trying it myself would help to understand, I have some physical limitations. I could not do any of the legwork. I probably could try the arm motion a few times.

I just started look at video of top college pitchers today, still trying to see everything I am supposed to be finding. I did notice the ball position at 12 o'clock, the lagged lower arm, and the upper arm rotating toward the torso.
What should a relaxed and natural follow through look like?

Thanks.

Generalaction and not goal.

IR pitcher's arm will come across thier body opposed to throwing shoulder.

Bob516 said:

I would imagine trying it myself would help to understand, I have some physical limitations. I could not do any of the legwork. I probably could try the arm motion a few times.

I just started look at video of top college pitchers today, still trying to see everything I am supposed to be finding. I did notice the ball position at 12 o'clock, the lagged lower arm, and the upper arm rotating toward the torso.
What should a relaxed and natural follow through look like?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Here's a good look.
https://youtu.be/k5X86nD_WS4