Rich Balswick Drop Ball

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Jan 28, 2017
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Does anyone have an information on how he teaches his drop (fastball)?
Any information on his change?

Thanks
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Here's video of him teaching the peel and off-speed:



As I recall, assuming a kid has good posture and brush, he teaches palm out-ish (toward 3B) at 9 and thumb forward, or even a little inside the ball at release.
 
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Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
Any more info on how Balswick teaches leading with the thumb and the difference with his change.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
The best way to get Balswick's drop cues is from Rich himself. Since he doesn't stop by DFP much, other options are:
-Wait for Fastpitch Foundations to hit the web,
-PM BM, javasource or Pauly and ask for their firsthand take,
-Ask him directly using the contact info on his webpage
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
The best way to get Balswick's drop cues is from Rich himself. Since he doesn't stop by DFP much, other options are:
-Wait for Fastpitch Foundations to hit the web,
-PM BM, javasource or Pauly and ask for their firsthand take,
-Ask him directly using the contact info on his webpage

I'm confused, ask BM, java or Pauly their firsthand take in what? I think Option 1 (if Balswick is involved) and option 3 are your ways to go.

No, Im not saying someone has to have been a pitcher to be a good coach but, I think we all agree that it certainly helps for those that can teach what they can do. For those who cannot teach it... being the all time best may not mean a lot when it comes to learning from him/her. But, most agree Rich is a great source for info. AND he pitched on the National team, National championships, World Championships and won all tournament at both. Given the option, I think I'd seek his help since he was one of the best and the drop is he most important pitch to have in fastpitch softball. And Tango, I can almost promise you the word "fastball" never passed his lips until he started coaching girls! I must've looked like a lunatic when my first ever student was telling me about her "fastball". I literally had to ask what that was, I never heard of it or seen it. :)

Bill
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
The best way to get Balswick's drop cues is from Rich himself. Since he doesn't stop by DFP much, other options are:
-Wait for Fastpitch Foundations to hit the web,
-PM BM, javasource or Pauly and ask for their firsthand take,
-Ask him directly using the contact info on his webpage

I'm confused, ask BM, java or Pauly their firsthand take in what? I think Option 1 (if Balswick is involved) and option 3 are your ways to go.

No, Im not saying someone has to have been a pitcher to be a good coach but, I think we all agree that it certainly helps for those that can teach what they can do. For those who cannot teach it... being the all time best may not mean a lot when it comes to learning from him/her. But, most agree Rich is a great source for info. AND he pitched on the National team, National championships, World Championships and won all tournament at both. Given the option, I think I'd seek his help since he was one of the best and the drop is he most important pitch to have in fastpitch softball. And Tango, I can almost promise you the word "fastball" never passed his lips until he started coaching girls! I must've looked like a lunatic when my first ever student was telling me about her "fastball". I literally had to ask what that was, I never heard of it or seen it. :)

Bill
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I'm confused, ask BM, java or Pauly their firsthand take in what? I think Option 1 (if Balswick is involved) and option 3 are your ways to go.

BM learned his drop from Balswick and has studied his stuff for years. Pauly and javasource are in kahoots with Rich to put together a pitching program that should be released soon. They are very familiar with his teachings and stop by the site regularly and check their PM's. Besides all that, I completely agree. My chats with Rich by phone, email and PM are equally as memorable as my interactions with you. You are both very generous in your willingness to chat and share. (I'm probably due to bug you with a few emails--haven't hit you up in a while!) Glad you're feeling better! Still need to hit your Spokane clinic...

Ken
 
Sep 3, 2015
372
63
I've asked Rich this very question about the release of his drop and this is what he said:

I would say that The visual should be more the palm of the pitching hand facing the in-step of the stride foot as the ball is being released which means the thumb would be pointing more towards the ground.

He only wants 12-6 spin with good brush contact.

As for the change, it also has 12-6 spin and he calls it an off speed drop. The arm pulls back near release to take speed off.


Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
Jul 14, 2008
1,800
63
Rich emphasizes a few basic principles that are key to being successful with the down pitch, all of which relate to release point and posture and spin.

1.) Body position/posture. Stay upright and open to 45 degrees with the hips and shoulders. This promotes the most stable frame structure from which to deliver the ball. Also, maintaining this 45 degree position without allowing the shoulders and hips to continue rotating past this point helps prevents forward bend at the hips which automatically pushes the release point forward of the rear hip. This is death to a good drop. It also keeps the rear hip aligned and in good position for a good brush point.

2.) Lifting the rear hip to promote better spin and pitch trajectory by raising the rear heel from the 45 degree position vs. bending forward at the hip.

3.) Make sure that the thumb is turned forward to slightly inward to promote the purist axis of forward spin. He emphasizes that the brush can assist in alignment of the forward facing thumb.

These principles haven't changed since attending my first Balswick clinic on the drop almost 40 years ago.

Here's what I'll tell you about coaches like Rich, myself and the many other high level PC's. He won't settle for anything but striving for perfection always. We'll never be perfect, but always striving for it tightens the window.
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
Tango,

You've got some good advice to work from already. Agreed with Bill, if you wish to know what Rich teaches it's in your best interest to speak to Rich. Likewise, the same would apply to Bill or Rick, or any other coach for that matter.

While here, if I could add one small addition to the drop ball in general...

If you really hit that strong front-side resistance plant, it should allow the back-side to transition easily out of it's drive and can produce alot of core torque at your release point (brush). That solid resistance can also give you elongated lift at a solid plant. The less the rear-side drag and/or ruddering through the transition to a strong front plant = more potential core torque you will attain at brush with good posture. This can greatly help your daughter in achieving a more forceful up-pull, or up-whip of the fingertips on the strings behind the ball. Your thumb acting as the guide forward. Remember, the tighter the forward string rotation in the area of 12-6, the more movement you should achieve. It's one thing to let the ball roll off the fingertips, but quite another to produce torque (up pull/whip) from the fingertips.

My 9 1/2 cents... ;)

Best of luck,
Chris
 
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