Increasing Speed

Bit off topic but while I am at, two of my pet peeves (just two as it is a long list!)...

First is pitchers constantly throwing to a squatting catcher or bucket parent. If you are working on location you need to be really working on location, not just chucking it. In the circle you are accountable for every pitch thrown, practice should be no different. You need to commit to and own every single pitch. Throw a taped ball so you can observe and evaluate the spin. If you are working on command you better do it with a game tempo. If you are not working on location, then the catcher or bucket parent needs to be standing. Focus on the task at hand and do not worry about where the ball goes. This is why throwing into a tarp can really help as it focuses pitchers on the process on the outcome.

The second is pitchers not throwing to each other and playing with spins. When time permits I encourage my pitchers to throw to each other and experiment with different spins, grips, and releases. Get with that other pitcher who has the amazing rise, curve, or other pitch and see how she throws it. Throw to each other, spin the ball and make it move. Find out what works and what does not. But remember what works for one pitcher may or may not work for another. So keep an open mind. You may be surprised at what you will learn. Throw to each other and have fun with it.

I 2nd the long toss!!! Alan Jaeger and Monica Abbott have a good arm care/strength video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHnKRQ9s0I

riseball said:

The second is pitchers not throwing to each other and playing with spins. When time permits I encourage my pitchers to throw to each other and experiment with different spins, grips, and releases. Get with that other pitcher who has the amazing rise, curve, or other pitch and see how she throws it. Throw to each other, spin the ball and make it move. Find out what works and what does not. But remember what works for one pitcher may or may not work for another. So keep an open mind. You may be surprised at what you will learn. Throw to each other and have fun with it.

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Great input!
Thanks again to riseball and all who share great ideas!

This information is awesome...one question...would you do long toss year round or just in the off season?

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briang said:

This information is awesome...one question...would you do long toss year round or just in the off season?

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My DD does long toss year round unless she is shut down for a period. There is a video on FloSoftball with Lacy Waldrop advocating throwing long toss change ups.

briang said:

This information is awesome...one question...would you do long toss year round or just in the off season?

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

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Every time you lace up your cleats, especially before games.

When time permits I encourage my pitchers to throw to each other and experiment with different spins, grips, and releases.

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My DD didn't learn her drop from her PC...she learned it from another pitcher.

My DD was in HS and struggling with the drop. The pitcher was playing for S. Florida and just happened to be at the facility. The college pitcher came by and said "Hi". We chatted for a few minutes (we knew each other), and she showed my DD the grip and gave her a couple of suggestions on how to throw it. They worked on it for 15 minutes or so, and then Val started throwing this nasty drop ball.

My daughter has been doing a long toss program for the last couple of years trying to increase her speed. She started when she was 14 years old and was throwing between 58-60 consistently. After 2 years of this, she is now at 16 is throwing 61-63. So the improvement was what I was hoping for around 1-2 mph per year. If she continues this route when she is a senior she will be throwing around 63-65. When she heads off to college I am hoping she will be around 62-64, and then I don't have to worry about it anymore.

We started with a new pitching coach in July. DD2 was throwing 54-56 before the switch. 4 lessons in she was already 2 MPH faster when she did what the new coach was changing. She got DD2 to use her legs more and faster. DD2 is now flirting with 60. Has hit it a few times and did so at OnDeck. She had to figure out some of her releases with using her legs more because her arm had to catch up with the legs. She is also doing long toss 3 times a week too.

I think arm circle speed training is generally ineffective, unless combined with speeding up the drive. Here's some cues I find that add speed right out of the box:

-2 Step sequence or other cue to get out quicker with the legs and hands.
-Pull the drag toe into release a little quicker. (Squeeze the knees a little quicker.)
-Use the glove side to pull into release--up together/down together.

You can't speed up the arm without throwing off sequence. Train the whole body to be more efficient for increased speed.