Pitcher struggling with overhand throw

14 YO DD is getting some pitching time as a freshman on her varsity team. While her pitching is looking pretty good, we all cringe any time a ball is hit back to her because her throw to first is VERY inconsistent. (Ala Barnhill)

Any ideas on how to help her with this?


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I do not know how it started but one year the people in the stands took cover when ball was hit to DD. No one knew where the ball was going except it would not be even close to 1st base.

I introduced a crow hop to her, like throwing from the OF, and it fixed it. She should have a lot of time so the crow hop doesn't hurt. I am not sure if her thinking about the crow hop got her head out of her way or the actual crow hop helped her.

Spend time working in it, simple. Take time to hit her ground balls with lots of throws to 1st, 2nd, ect. Make sure she is getting time in practice working with infield, making throws

Could be mental... but nothing beats practice. Over and over till she can't get it wrong.

If you have never dealt with this before you are lucky. It is extremely frustrating.

John Lester of the cubs solution was to purposely bounce the ball to the 1st basemen.

Jon Lester tackles throwing to bases one bounce at a time - Chicago Tribune

wasn't working so he just throws it again and takes his chances.

Dd had this problem for a bit. Our solution was just to have her start walking to the bag before she started to throw.( get her feet moving in that direction)

Jj malone said:

Dd had this problem for a bit. Our solution was just to have her start walking to the bag before she started to throw.( get her feet moving in that direction)

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She does that sometimes but it almost always results in her taking too long to get the throw off.


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Sandrahd said:

14 YO DD is getting some pitching time as a freshman on her varsity team. While her pitching is looking pretty good, we all cringe any time a ball is hit back to her because her throw to first is VERY inconsistent. (Ala Barnhill)

Any ideas on how to help her with this?


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Click to expand...

You're answer is probably found within your own question. Without more detail, it's likely more training (remember muscle memory is different for underhand and overand throws), supportive coaching, gaining more experience and learning how to calm her own nerves and emotions to minimize any pressure she's likely feeling as an underclassman. With time and attention, the later should quickly disappear.

It's unacceptable at this point in KB's athletic career, but it's acceptable to her coaches because she's exceptional at earning W's.

A couple of things you could consider would be 1) find a breathing routine or another way to better dissipate stress, 2) lessen the difference between her practiced underhand and overand throwing reps if she's deficient in one. Most balls hit back to the P include plenty of time for overthinking, 3) find ways to shorten her overhand throws to 1st, 4) consider temporary intervention of utilizing her more common 'slingshot' to 1st if she is more consistent with it.

If her coaches haven't already addressed it in practice, she should ask her coaches for input. Be honest, be genuine and follow through with their suggestions. Sometimes, just that first conversation can work wonders for her confidence building and can even take a big bite out of any pressure she may be experiencing as one of the new kids on the block.


Chris

quincy said:

If you have never dealt with this before you are lucky. It is extremely frustrating.

John Lester of the cubs solution was to purposely bounce the ball to the 1st basemen.

Jon Lester tackles throwing to bases one bounce at a time - Chicago Tribune

wasn't working so he just throws it again and takes his chances.

Click to expand...

Great pitcher, but has a hell of a time with an ordinary throw, The Yips, I believe is what it's called

Trust me, take the time to make sure she’s throwing properly and things will work out. We are currently coming off of a two month rehab for my 12 yo daughter cause she fractured her growth plate from not throwing correctly. When she wasn’t pitching, she played outfield and up until this year, it wasn’t a problem that she side armed the ball. Now, since more balls are hit to the outfield, it finally caught up to her.