How do I get my daughter to relax her muscles while pitching?

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My daughter started out exactly where yours is now. Watch some Bill Hillhouse videos on YouTube how to pitch into glove. This drill will fix many issues she is having. It will be hard make her learn it to fix the issues.
 
Aug 20, 2017
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Look up Rick balswick videos on YouTube. Posture is her problem! May want to work on staying more upright in premotion
 
Jul 22, 2015
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I think she could really benefit from work very close to a net/tarp so she can't see where the pitch ends up. It appears to me she is trying way too hard to control the finish. There are problems with posture upstream that may be linked to trying too hard to get her hips open instead of just letting it happen naturally. Working close to a net would allow her to focus on the mechanics you want her to without fear of making "bad" pitches. Do your best to disconnect from the result and focus on the advice that has already been given here.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
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Pac NW
It appears that having a flexed elbow and leading with the elbow are taken too literally with this pitcher. Flexed and leading are results and although sometimes they can be cues, ultimately they need to happen because the arm is loose. Let whip happen--don't make it happen. Some cues I'd try with this one:
-Long and loose
-Loose as a goose
-Loose like a spaghetti noodle (DD's fav)
-Feel it snap.

Release should feel out of control at first and should happen as a result of whip/snap and hopefully brush. I second the advice of throwing into a net, or towards a person in front of a net--with no emphasis on control is great for learning this stuff.

In addition to the Balswick and javasource videos suggested previously, here's a clip where Coach Pauly addresses the rear leg action that promotes good posture:
 
Last edited:
Aug 21, 2008
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Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see anything sidearm. I just see her body in awkward positions. NO... DO NOT GIVE UP. If she loves pitching then she just has to work harder than others to fix some issues. But giving up would be sad.

Look at the device called "the perfect circle". Google it. If she practices with it slowly, she will get rid of her butt sticking out and learn to hit the flag with her arm/ball. This will fix the posture quickly.

Bill
 
Aug 21, 2008
2,359
113
My daughter started out exactly where yours is now. Watch some Bill Hillhouse videos on YouTube how to pitch into glove. This drill will fix many issues she is having. It will be hard make her learn it to fix the issues.

You can get all 5 of my instructional videos for $100. It's a non-advertised sale. Just PM for details and I'll be happy to send them. that's about 1/2 price in total when its all said and done. (Same price for everyone reading this).

Bill
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
You can get all 5 of my instructional videos for $100. It's a non-advertised sale. Just PM for details and I'll be happy to send them. that's about 1/2 price in total when its all said and done. (Same price for everyone reading this).

Bill

What?!?!?!? So for those who have already paid full price, can I submit a refund request form ? LOL
 
May 15, 2017
29
1
Thanks everyone for the tips. We've all had strep throat this week and it's been raining so our practice has been limited. I'll set up a net for her to throw into. Unfortunately I already know she'll pick out which hole in the net she wants to hit and tense up.

That windmill trainer/perfect circle looks promising too.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
One of the things when I have a girl who is stiffening up is to have her throw a few pitches with her eyes closed. Tell her not to worry about where the ball goes. Just throw it. By closing the eyes it takes the aiming part out of the pitch and lets them feel what their body is doing. They don't have to pitch full speed. The idea is to let them not worry about the result and focus on the process.

Be warned... The ball will go everywhere.
 

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