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Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Be gentle. First video post of my DD. Just turned 12. Had trouble with strike zone this past weekend, so just had her simplify her backswing and throw into the net. This is in slow motion, so i know it is hard to see, but she needs to go faster. Can throw a long ways in long toss, but can not maximize her speed from the rubber. Don't know what the odd finish is. Seems to have popped up lately when she is trying to maybe guide the ball instead of turning it loose. Drive foot is a bit of an anchor. Trying to get her to work on that with the cue of scraping the toenail polish off. Let me know what we can work on. Have read tons on here and it has been very helpful. Thanks

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oLfJgAZt0r8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
She does have a lot going right here. It is weird to see her without out a glove not sure what the point is of not having it. Its hard to really see the drive from this angle but it seems OK probably hard to be too aggressive in the grass, looks like maybe she could have a larger up component her upper leg is not quite parallel but she is driving knee first and not just sticking her foot out which is good. Side angle off a pitching plate will let us see better whats going on. You pegged the foot anchor issue (I really should make a video walking through this concept and demonstrate how you can walk a player through the difference in the FEELING of not releasing your hip which is more of a drag than the foot itself). The odd finish seems like the "Jennie Finch" she releases with IR but then has the HE finishing motion. I would start with the drive since done correctly it will help eliminate the foot anchor issue and the beginning is always a good place to start love her arm at 9 o'clock so not sure I would mess with anything regarding arm circle. Brush and front side resistance look OK as well. I don't see any side or forward leaning.

I would really like to see her side angle off a pitching plate for a better analysis but looks like a pretty good foundation so far, I don't see any huge issues requiring some kind of complete restart I'm seeing working on a few things slowly to make improvement.

Finally I know it's hard but do NOT under any circumstances fall into the results oriented trap don't not let her take something off or just aim the ball over the plate to get strikes...just keep practicing sound fundamental mechanics and the strikes and speed will come.

good nine oclock.jpg
 
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Mar 8, 2017
78
8
I really like the advice from djcarter1966. I think a bit of weight shift could help her as well. The drive foot seems to be bearing much of her weight while flat on the ground, ideally, it should be bearing minimal weight until it engages the ball of the foot (into attack posture) to drive off the plate. The stride leg looks to be planted on the ball of the foot, ideally, she might have an easier time thrusting that knee and getting the upper leg in a parallel position, by lowering the stride foot heel to the ground while keep the back leg straight in alignment with the spine - until the drive starts and stride knee engages.

She looks great btw, the corrections she needs are the easy fixes, she's got much of the important points covered.
 
Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Thanks for the input. There was no point in her practicing without a glove. She came home from middle school practice and was hitting into the net. Didn't want to go to the house to get a glove. its a slow process. The cues I catch myself using most is to go harder and get tall. I'm still an idiot bucket dad so much of my advice is met with a little push back!!
 
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2br02b

Trabant swing
Jul 25, 2017
303
43
That anchor may be because of a weak ankle or knee. Notice that she is turning her foot to push rather than keeping it straight(er). That is a sign of compensating for a weak joint. If she can't straighten that out on her own, she may need to strengthen the legs a bit to get past that heavy drag.
 
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Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Will get side view tonight. PC is a D1 pitcher. She sent me almost this same still today. Said this may be her biggest issue because her hand isn't in the right position for a fast ball and her back side is collapsed. "DD is in a rise ball position which is why she pulls the ball high and the arm comes through with the hip because of the angle of the elbow. Said the hand and arm position need to be broken down and corrected." I like the position of the arm and the hand. I do think she needs to get her hand behind the ball a little more at release, but felt like the drag and the frontside resistance needed more work than the arm and hand. I'm getting confused.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
I'll throw my 2 cents in. First off there are some good things going on. But two issues I'd work on are

#1 - Get more flex in the arm. Thing about "leading with and pulling down with the elbow". For me her arm is too straight in the circle which will limit her whip and restrict velocity.

#2 - Better balance at finish and stronger front side resistance.

I don't know if I'd try to work on both at the same time. Pick one then move on to the other.

Anyway that's my advice as a bucket dad.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Will get side view tonight. PC is a D1 pitcher. She sent me almost this same still today. Said this may be her biggest issue because her hand isn't in the right position for a fast ball and her back side is collapsed. "DD is in a rise ball position which is why she pulls the ball high and the arm comes through with the hip because of the angle of the elbow. Said the hand and arm position need to be broken down and corrected." I like the position of the arm and the hand. I do think she needs to get her hand behind the ball a little more at release, but felt like the drag and the frontside resistance needed more work than the arm and hand. I'm getting confused.

Can you clarify what the PC meant by "rise ball position," "pulls the ball high" and "arm comes through with the hip"? I like her whip and would focus on drive to help get her into a better posture at release. Not sure what she means by "fastball?" I'd focus on drive and posture because it sets the stage for brush and if you're not doing these three things, there's no reason to work on spins. I probably sound like a broken record, but I truly believe that the 2 Step sequence is magical in correcting, or making it much easier to correct many issues at release.
 
Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Ken, will get some clarification tonight. I believe she was talking about how often she has been missing up and in and struggling with outside pitches. She recently started dipping low and having a huge backswing. I thought she was struggling with getting all the knees and elbows back in good positions. I've been hoping we could work on drive and shorter backswing to tighten up the mechanics some.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Missing high/in-->missing brush, however, I would not be concerned with control. When her posture improves and she's finding more consistent brush, she should be missing down and in to high and out. I don't focus on backswing as much as foot work and the forward pump. Again, control comes with practicing good form. Dial in form and control usually takes care of itself.
 

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