Improving leg drive..ideas and suggestions welcomed

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Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
Recently D has been offered a pitching slot with a D3 school with a great program (academic and softball)and well know former softball player as a coach. Here is the dilemma, D was told she had the tightest ball spin out of anyone there. She needs to get more leg drive. The college coach said to get some mound time, she needs to use her lower body better. We have been working on different drills but she isn't getting it. I figure by asking, maybe a different way of explaining or working on this will help D understand. Right now she is frustrated from hearing the same thing over and over.

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shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
Recently D has been offered a pitching slot with a D3 school with a great program (academic and softball)and well know former softball player as a coach. Here is the dilemma, D was told she had the tightest ball spin out of anyone there. She needs to get more leg drive. The college coach said to get some mound time, she needs to use her lower body better. We have been working on different drills but she isn't getting it. I figure by asking, maybe a different way of explaining or working on this will help D understand. Right now she is frustrated from hearing the same thing over and over.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk


What's the coach after, more speed? Do you have a recent video of her? What kind of things have you guys been working on?
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
As I recall, D uses a rolling start, which really doesn't tap what she's capable of. A two step sequence would really help her make use of her strength and power. Have her watch, then play with the feel of the pushback drill, then move to the 2 step to see what she thinks.

Here's some other ideas to help her feel the fire:
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-30.html#post363672
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gUkiavW-o4
https://giant.gfycat.com/ConsciousFastAlligator.gif
Not what we want--Rolling start/one leg drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v=FYt2F5OwOA0https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-5.html#post229947
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-8.html#post240500
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-9.html
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-10.html#post240869
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-pitching/18135-drive-mechanics-15.html#post280717

lw4_zps4bx6x0zf.gif
 
Last edited:
Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
I think these drills are great and will address D problems. The thing is, DH refuses to do these because he says, "they are illegal in a game. He says why over exaggerate something that you have to change." If DH don't understand the purpose, he won't let her do. I need some other pointers.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
My $0.02
1) Hit the gym - work on leg and core strength
2) Get a pitching mat and tarp
3) Have your DD work on exploding off pitching plate
4) Throw into the tarp so your DD does not worry about throwing strikes and can concentrate on mechanics
5) Work on keeping arm timing in tune with increased leg drive
 
Jun 19, 2014
846
43
Raleigh,NC
My $0.02
1) Hit the gym - work on leg and core strength
2) Get a pitching mat and tarp
3) Have your DD work on exploding off pitching plate
4) Throw into the tarp so your DD does not worry about throwing strikes and can concentrate on mechanics
5) Work on keeping arm timing in tune with increased leg drive
D has been working out in our garage gym.
8f62b3166762d269dbfc323128669ce0.jpg
f0961f8cce5c9b3977a449d34b0313be.jpg


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Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
I think these drills are great and will address D problems. The thing is, DH refuses to do these because he says, "they are illegal in a game. He says why over exaggerate something that you have to change." If DH don't understand the purpose, he won't let her do. I need some other pointers.

Sorry to hear that... Knowing D's training effort and gifts, I can feel your pain... Like any form of cross training, we do all kinds of crazy things to prepare for our discipline: Swimming, stationary bikes, heavy ropes, weights, etc. None of these motions directly translate to the sequence of many athletic disciplines, but almost every elite athlete cross trains to the benefit of their discipline.

Sequence is the key. The pushback and initial phase of the 2 Step are very helpful for creating a feel for the timing and weight transfer. Get the hips moving forward when the weight transfers to the back foot. Maybe start there. I'll try to get some video of Lil DD doing some modified pushback sequence between lessons tomorrow in hopes D can watch and feel the groove...
 
Last edited:
Jan 7, 2014
972
0
Western New York
Recently D has been offered a pitching slot with a D3 school with a great program (academic and softball)and well know former softball player as a coach. Here is the dilemma, D was told she had the tightest ball spin out of anyone there. She needs to get more leg drive. The college coach said to get some mound time, she needs to use her lower body better. We have been working on different drills but she isn't getting it. I figure by asking, maybe a different way of explaining or working on this will help D understand. Right now she is frustrated from hearing the same thing over and over.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

2 things that are great with my students:

Kbands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekeOQYUpmps&t=661s
TRX sprinters drills. Buy the $30 ones on ebay they are the same as the $140 TRX bands:

CP
Kbands
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,661
83
Not a pitching expert but when DD gets her drive foot knee over her toes she throws a couple of mph faster. We do a knee drill sometimes with her drive knee foot on the rubber and then drive and throw.
 

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