Trying to help HE pitchers

HE is still solidly ingrained in our league. As a result, all 3 pitchers on our 9U TB team use HE mechanics.

I've started helping them warm up between innings (we're not at the point where there's one main pitcher, so we're rotating through all 3). Of course, there's things that to my untrained eye look incorrect, but I'm hesitant to offer advice that may be correct in an IR-world, but contradicts the (paid) pitching instruction they're currently getting.

My few suggestions to date has related to posture (not leaning forward), pushing off strong, and getting "open". I did introduce the concept of walk-throughs as a warm-up technique - the player said she hadn't done those before, but really liked it.

I'm not going to touch release (oh goody - more wrist flicks), ball direction (push vs. pull), or follow-through - just wondering if there's any other differences to be aware of in case a parent asks something along the lines of "how does she look / what do we need to work on".

Personally, I'm an all in or all out type of guy. Either I will teach them right or I won't say anything at all.

For example, what are you going to say when you do get the "how does she look/what do we need to work on question"? Vague answers about posture, drive mechanics and so on that will do absolutely no good when the core mechanic of the throw is wrong?

In my opinion, if you aren't going to touch release, ball direction, or follow-through, you shouldn't touch anything. If you aren't going to tell parents when they ask "How does she look/what do we need to work on" that they need to work on learning to throw the right way then you probably shouldn't get involved at all.

All in or all out is my opinion.

LOL "the right way".

Gags said:

HE is still solidly ingrained in our league. As a result, all 3 pitchers on our 9U TB team use HE mechanics.

I've started helping them warm up between innings (we're not at the point where there's one main pitcher, so we're rotating through all 3). Of course, there's things that to my untrained eye look incorrect, but I'm hesitant to offer advice that may be correct in an IR-world, but contradicts the (paid) pitching instruction they're currently getting.

My few suggestions to date has related to posture (not leaning forward), pushing off strong, and getting "open". I did introduce the concept of walk-throughs as a warm-up technique - the player said she hadn't done those before, but really liked it.

I'm not going to touch release (oh goody - more wrist flicks), ball direction (push vs. pull), or follow-through - just wondering if there's any other differences to be aware of in case a parent asks something along the lines of "how does she look / what do we need to work on".

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FYI... When a parent who is paying for lessons asks, "how does she look?" from an "untrained" assistant coach who is warming up their kid, they are not looking for a breakdown on how their child fits into your pitching methodology. A simple, reassuring "looks good" is all they want to hear. If she is missing her spots, or telegraphing her change up, just keep it to yourself.

Just have them keep a loose and relaxed arm (cooked spaghetti, not raw) Then have them really emphasize the pulling of the upper arms into their ribs. Then teach resistance in its most basic form. (stand behind her when she's locked into the 9:00 drill, then give her a hard shove towards her catcher as her front foot lands. She'll either learn how to push back or learn how to fall down) Then, like magic, IR and brush will slowly just happen with out them realizing it...

coach james said:

Just have them keep a loose and relaxed arm (cooked spaghetti, not raw) Then have them really emphasize the pulling of the upper arms into their ribs. Then teach resistance in its most basic form. (stand behind her when she's locked into the 9:00 drill, then give her a hard shove towards her catcher as her front foot lands. She'll either learn how to push back or learn how to fall down) Then, like magic, IR and brush will slowly just happen with out them realizing it...

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First, you steal signs and now, you are pushing little girls down! what the heck?? LOL totally joking with you! I think I'm going to try that technique~!

2 of the 3 are all pretty much brand new pitchers - it's either "near the plate" or "not even close" - the parent can see for themselves if they're missing their spots.

I'm not yet convinced "all or nothing" would even be the right way to go for me. Should they switch to IR? Absolutely - I'm all in that regards - and also know that behind the dugout in the top of the 3rd is NOT the time to have that conversation with a parent. But even if I was a straight-outta-the70s hitting coach, who only believed in hard hit ground balls, why would I ignore the power hitter who's swinging with his eyes shut? Doesn't matter if you swing up or swing down - you still need to have your eyes open! He's still on the team, I'm still an AC, and wouldn't helping him see the ball better help the team? If I only tried to help those who used the same mechanics I agree with - I would quickly become HC of a team of none.

I'm not looking to change overall mechanics, or secretly convert them to IR, but if I can help them become even just a little bit better of a pitcher, isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing as a coach?

Re-reading my OP - I probably shouldn't have included any reference to the parents.

I'll attempt to re-phrase my original question - "What are some "universal" pitching mechanics that occur in both IR and HE deliveries?"

ETA: Started my response before Coach James made his post - thanks - already used the noodle reference - like the resistance idea. Will need to make sure I have the pitcher's (and parents!) trust before I try that one though.

If accuracy is the initial goal.... your priorities are a little off.
Gotta have timing, resistance, posture, and brush figured out to some degree before you start gaining any kind of consistent accuracy.

As far as my shove them technique, I don't actually shove hard enough to make them fall down.... LOL
But they don't know that (not at first anyway), I imply if they don't resist my shove by pushing back, they'll need a Band-Aid for their forehead! (that always works!!! lol)

What does the HC say that he wants your role to be?

Many times too much advice is worse than none with the exception being that it is your stated role and everyone knows it and nobody else offers their own suggestions.

The same goes for hitting so it isn’t just pitchers or catchers and the coachable kids are the ones that usually dip in performance.

FPD - excellent point regarding "too much advice" - that's something I've become increasingly concerned about in the past few weeks, and has also started me thinking a bit more about my own goals and limitations as a coach. It's going to be a constant struggle to minimize the corrections/information we give, no matter how useful we believe it will be. There's danger at both ends of the coaching spectrum - if we don't turn athletes into robots with 5-step hitting plans and 4-step throwing motions (do this, then that, finish here), we still run the risk of "paralysis by analysis" via information overload (re: golf video that can be summarized with "for a good swing, you only have to think about [insert doctoral dissertation here]"). And like you mentioned - it's the coachable kids that are most likely to be impacted.

And I expect there will be a conversation or two in the near future about everyone's roles. In a sense, being HC is so much easier!