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Apr 17, 2015
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My 15 year old daughter was asked to pitch some for her Freshman team. She hasn’t really pitched much before. She hasn’t taken lessons, and she doesn’t have a pitching coach. She doesn’t want to play college softball. She does want to do the best she can for her team this season, which starts in less than a month. We started working on some basics in the basement this week. (Everything is a muddy mess outside right now). If you could suggest just one or two things that would make the biggest impact on her success, what would it be? Thanks!

[video]https://youtu.be/Xbj0UIeLgZE[/video]

Edited to add that my previous posts were about my younger daughter, who unfortunately no longer plays.
 
Last edited:

shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
1 Thing with a month go, work on throwing with IR. Have the ball facing the catcher at the top of the circle, facing the sky after that. Check out this video, he has more if your interested. She actually looks good not to have pitched very much.
https://youtu.be/cqNnDS2YYzc
Edit, she actually has the ball facing the right way at the top of the circle, just keep the palm facing up, lead with the elbow down the backside. She's currently pushing the ball, you want to pull it.
 
Last edited:
Jan 7, 2014
972
0
Western New York
My 15 year old daughter was asked to pitch some for her Freshman team. She hasn’t really pitched much before. She hasn’t taken lessons, and she doesn’t have a pitching coach. She doesn’t want to play college softball. She does want to do the best she can for her team this season, which starts in less than a month. We started working on some basics in the basement this week. (Everything is a muddy mess outside right now). If you could suggest just one or two things that would make the biggest impact on her success, what would it be? Thanks!

[video]https://youtu.be/Xbj0UIeLgZE[/video]

Edited to add that my previous posts were about my younger daughter, who unfortunately no longer plays.

Carry the ball on the "inside of the circle" not on the outside of the circle...

palm up.jpg

CP
 
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
If I could change one...... No, two things, I would work on the pull the ball down the back side rather than pushing it. Second, she kicks that stride foot all the way forward much too soon. Sure, she needs to blast that stride knee forward, but the kicking forward of the stride foot is more to help extend what the thrust can no longer do. Her stride foot kick forward is over with before her thrust is.
 
Apr 17, 2015
10
0
Thank you for the replies. We will definitely work on pulling instead of pushing. She has surprising accuracy for someone who isn’t really a pitcher. Do you think messing with the arm circle would be too risky this close to show time, or is it worth it?

Doug Romrell- I’ve never thought about the kick of the stride foot before. Hopefully that will be a quick, easy fix. Thanks.
 

shaker1

Softball Junkie
Dec 4, 2014
894
18
On a bucket
Thank you for the replies. We will definitely work on pulling instead of pushing. She has surprising accuracy for someone who isn’t really a pitcher. Do you think messing with the arm circle would be too risky this close to show time, or is it worth it?

Doug Romrell- I’ve never thought about the kick of the stride foot before. Hopefully that will be a quick, easy fix. Thanks.

To be honest, I thought about just telling you to work on throwing strikes. It took my dd a winter to adjust to IR. But who knows, your dd may pick it up with no troubles. I would give it a shot to she how she does. There are kids in my area who know nothing but pushing the ball, and do just fine.
 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Great thread and awesome advice! I’d really have her work on whip. She’s got too much potential to pass on.

Get whippy from the hippy!
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
Kelbrad7,

#1) She has to be 100% certain that this is what she really wants to do.
#2) She has to be 100% convicted to the work and training to be an asset to her team at that position. It's a true commitment with just a month left before the season begins.

Your post suggests that there may be some hesitation in the thought process, which is pretty natural for her under the circumstances which you've described. Was she hoping to compete for JV or V at a field position?

Regardless of the reason the program is short on pitching at this point, her coaches are encouraged enough with her skill set to offer her a special opportunity. Together, you'll have to decide whether that opportunity is one that will enhance her enjoyment of the game, or will deter it.

It may also be a great opportunity which can help to prepare her for the real world some day. ;)

Chris
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Stop her from coming forward after she throws.

Note that she takes a step forward after she throws the ball. She should use her left leg to come to a complete stop.

This is Whitney Canion, the "Queen of Front Side Resistance"...note how her right leg (she is a lefty) doesn't move forward after she throws.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-czxt7uUvXw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

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