Brush- Drills vs Full

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May 8, 2016
4
0
Had a question on brush in drills vs full. We have followed this forum for awhile and use many of the drills (lock it in, etc..), read the advice, and watch the videos. Here is the dilemma. When we do drills standing still, my daughter gets excellent brush ( I would say aggressive)with good ball lag, ball mostly facing up at 9 o'clock, and release from the proper spot with solid IR.

When we get to full she misses her brush (arm is further away from body, not sidearm but its a good visual), the ball is more towards 3rd and a little less lag, she appears to be clearing her hips a little which is something I have read about on here as well, and most importantly because she misses the brush she tries to force the IR however it ends up farther in front of her body when she throws.

I have pictures of her in drills and in full that I am trying to upload to compare but its not working, so I will figure it out and post ASAP

My questions while I work on the photo's are a) anyone else deal with this and b) does it just take a ton more repetitions during drills for the body to "learn" to brush every time or in your experience is it something else in the drive phase that is simply too much for the arm to overcome, forcing the arm to miss. (Again I realize we need some pics as well, just wanted to see any thoughts for now)

Thanks!!!!!
 
Mar 8, 2017
78
8
have you tried sticking a piece of duct tape out, folded to make a flap on her upper leg (quad), where brush should occur? Have her focus on hitting the flap at full speed?
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
This is very common. Often because at full motion she is throwing to you on a bucket. Correct? Hang a tarp and get her to throw full out into a tarp a few feet away. This will focus her on brush, posture, and all things mechanical and not on the results of the pitch. Throw only into a tarp every day for at least a week. Keep at it until brush is always there. Then have her go full to someone standing at full distance. If she can maintain brush then and only then should you squat. If she regresses go back to the tarp and start the process over.
 
Jun 19, 2013
753
28
One other thing I will add is do you have full arm circle in your progression of drills? we were doing 9 o'clock and show it and throw it and then going straight to full motion. I think adding a full circle to drills was helpful.
 
Apr 12, 2015
792
93
How old is she? Brush requires good posture and good posture in a full pitch requires core strength. Could be she just isn't matured enough to have the strength to hold her posture in a full pitch.
 

shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
Had a question on brush in drills vs full. We have followed this forum for awhile and use many of the drills (lock it in, etc..), read the advice, and watch the videos. Here is the dilemma. When we do drills standing still, my daughter gets excellent brush ( I would say aggressive)with good ball lag, ball mostly facing up at 9 o'clock, and release from the proper spot with solid IR.

When we get to full she misses her brush (arm is further away from body, not sidearm but its a good visual), the ball is more towards 3rd and a little less lag, she appears to be clearing her hips a little which is something I have read about on here as well, and most importantly because she misses the brush she tries to force the IR however it ends up farther in front of her body when she throws.

I have pictures of her in drills and in full that I am trying to upload to compare but its not working, so I will figure it out and post ASAP

My questions while I work on the photo's are a) anyone else deal with this and b) does it just take a ton more repetitions during drills for the body to "learn" to brush every time or in your experience is it something else in the drive phase that is simply too much for the arm to overcome, forcing the arm to miss. (Again I realize we need some pics as well, just wanted to see any thoughts for now)

Thanks!!!!!

Upload your videos to youtube. Post the link here, then everyone can view it.
 
May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
This is very common. Often because at full motion she is throwing to you on a bucket. Correct? Hang a tarp and get her to throw full out into a tarp a few feet away. This will focus her on brush, posture, and all things mechanical and not on the results of the pitch. Throw only into a tarp every day for at least a week. Keep at it until brush is always there. Then have her go full to someone standing at full distance. If she can maintain brush then and only then should you squat. If she regresses go back to the tarp and start the process over.


My daughter has a lot of the same issues as the OP. Thanks for giving this advice. Going to give this a try. Would you recommend after throwing into a tarp from say about 5 feet away to progress into throwing into the tarp from 10 feet away, and gradually working your way to 15', 20' etc?
 
Last edited:
May 8, 2016
4
0
Great idea on youtube. Will set that up tomorrow. Tried the tarp today as it makes complete sense, unfortunately it did not work for her. HOWEVER I did notice one thing which helped, did not fix it, but it was better. Her foot has a tendency to drive out, get flat on the instep, and then sometimes kick to the side. When we strictly focused on keeping just the big toe in contact the entire drive, she tended to be in much better position, no lean forward, and closer to getting her brush. Again, was not perfect, but she looked so much better.

I will get youtube up asap as I am excited to get the groups help!!
 

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