Is it Too Late to Fix the Drag??

Seeing the video she is the definition of all arm. To [MENTION=332]sluggers[/MENTION] point in addition to the lack of resistance in the leg, her torso is doing the same thing with the bend. Beyond that there is the rear shoulder and hip. Job #1 is to fix the front side, then move on to the torso and get things firmed up. Then you can work on other things like the long arm circle, etc. To the point of the OP, the foot is way down the list. The good news is that with the right focus and hard work she will be a much better pitcher with improvement coming a pretty rapid pace. All that said, do not try to fix it all at once. This will take some time, keep the focus narrow and do not rush the process.

How open is her stride foot at landing? Looks like it is pointed straight toward catcher, can't really tell.

shaker1 said:

How open is her stride foot at landing? Looks like it is pointed straight toward catcher, can't really tell.

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To me her stride foot at landing looks like it would be just about perfect (somewhere around 45 degrees), I don't see how it could be pointed at the catcher (and I've used that cue many times to keep my DD from closing it too much).

Also, while not included in the GIF above but seen in the original video is what seems like a lack of push back "load"? I could be wrong on that as it seems she's getting pretty far out towards the edge of the circle but that initial load and push with the drive foot (aka Sprinter start) could help eliminate some of the foot drag/boat anchor effect (dealt with that also). Then, Riseball nails it with firming up the Frontside/core, bending the elbow, pinning the shoulder, etc... Also, hard to tell from that angle but it looks like a different type of glove swim action is happening also, kind of going out and then coming back in and across with the glove? Stop bending and stand tall. Lots of little things that as you cross them off the list will all result in repeatable mechanics which will bode well for her consistency, accuracy and speed. *Disclimer - I could be full of it and if I knew so much and it was easy my kid would be a lot further along! Good luck and enjoy the process!!

Transfer that energy,

I think yall nailed it and all the opinions above seem to be spot on. As I was watching I thought everything looked really really good until she landed and started sinking down as she threw the ball. Up to that point, I thought alot of good is going on.

Not sure how tall she is but she gets really far out there. Not saying this is the issue, but I have seen others stride too far and they sink like that because of the overstride. I am not saying this is the case but much easier to keep your balance with a more controlled stride that may not be quite as far. Easier to create front side resistance.

As Rise said, fix a few of these things and I would agree you will see a RAPID change for the positive. It is not like you posted a video where everything is going well and really nothing to fix. She has a big fix that will result in big results that honestly shouldn't be that hard to fix.

Good luck!

shaker1 said:

How open is her stride foot at landing? Looks like it is pointed straight toward catcher, can't really tell.

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This was something I brought up on here about a year ago - if more angle of the foot might help lock the knee out a bit. Firmer front side/stay tall has been our mantra for 5 years obviously we have a long way to go. I think ken might post some more video today where you can see another pitch. I don't THINK this was a change cause it usually has a high kind of follow through, but if it is it is her "squishiest" landing. She is 5'7" and I have also wondered if experimenting with a shorter stride might be helpful with being able to control the landing. Maybe that is our next thing to try.

I would put her in front if a tarp, work on unweighting that rear leg. More angle to the front foot, depending on how open it is. Work that rear knee into the back of the front knee. Don't think of it as locking out the stride knee when she hits, start with a bent knee, use the momentum and work up when a she lands. Move that energy up the chain.
Look how she works up, gets taller.

When I first seen the video...I thought...looking good...then oops. Something isn't strong enough for her to stride that far, it gave way.

I would be checking Glutes activation, core strength and imbalances between the sides. Activating her glutes (something like this https://youtu.be/pRKvszxpSSs) and core strength (something like this https://youtu.be/wDTJx_9iNqk) . If she is weak here or has imbalances...it will benefit her greatly. Then I would have her work them some prior to pitching sessions and after.

I would start shortening her stride by 3 inches at a time, to see where remains strong in the hips/core and on the front side to control it.....then start lengthening it by 3 as she gets it and has found her stride length.

She's looking good

It will not take that long.

STRIKE3 said:

Not sure how tall she is but she gets really far out there. Not saying this is the issue, but I have seen others stride too far and they sink like that because of the overstride. I am not saying this is the case but much easier to keep your balance with a more controlled stride that may not be quite as far. Easier to create front side resistance.
Good luck!

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Good observation. Looks like she's somewhere between 9 and 8 when that leg gets weighted.

shaker1 said:

Good observation. Looks like she's somewhere between 9 and 8 when that leg gets weighted.

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And an even better observation Shaker! You are 110% correct on that and really glad you pointed that out.