Feedback appreciated as dd makes comeback

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Jul 22, 2015
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I posted these in the "striding left" thread but thought I'd just ask for feedback in a new thread. DD has started her comeback and we're looking to correct some flaws that became exaggerated after her initial injury then layoff after elbow surgery. Primarily, looking for the best way to correct the way her drive foot "flips" out to her right instead of dragging. I'm thinking it could be connected to her hip/thigh angle, but I'm very open to being wrong about that. I don't want to do anything to diminish her drive and I don't really think her foot turn-out is excessive but I'm open to all ideas. Project 1B is her front side and/or right shoulder closing (or is it left pulling out?). Any and all help on how to correct/improve these (or other) flaws is appreciated.

https://youtu.be/B0PiB_pohIE
https://youtu.be/QXK95aoptMg
 
May 9, 2015
263
18
West Virginia
Agree with Ken, correct the posture and the FSR will improve but will still likely need work but fixing the posture will get ya a long way I think.


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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Front side resistance is non-existent. She is taking a step forward after she lands.

This is the drill she needs to do. It is called a walk through. Notice the way the pitchers stops herself after release...and the pitcher in the video is throwing 60MPH. Now look at your DD almost running to the catcher.

Also, she needs to work on brush interference (BI)> She needs to brush her right side with her right arm right before release.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTTxqjdjtHg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Last edited:
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
We certainly do lots of walk throughs. Always throws best from that drill. Any other ideas on developing that FSR? When I watch in slow-motion the extra step is somewhat of an afterthought, but I know she can be much, much better there. I feel like all of it (posture, FSR, brush) has something to do with pulling her left shoulder out or pushing her right shoulder through but I don't know how to fix it (or if I'm right). She's had good success, moves the ball well, and throws fairly hard (topped out at 60 before the injury, 56-57 at this stage of rehab) but I know there's much more in the tank. Appreciate the feedback and would love all opinions.
 
May 9, 2015
263
18
West Virginia
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It looks to me like she doesn’t push her hips underneath her shoulders enough to come out of the forward lean she starts with at the beginning of the pitch. I usually make a mark where her foot is landing then stretch something like a Chinese jump rope across right over or in front of the mark for her foot. She then has to land her foot on the mark but not touch the Chinese jump rope. It really doesn’t take long for them to make the correction this way in my experience. She needs to “hit the wall and stand tall” as Rick says.


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May 15, 2008
1,913
113
Cape Cod Mass.
She never really gets open enough to max her IR. You are on the right track with your thoughts about her right shoulder. She gets her speed by forcing the ball with her right side, shoulder and arm. She needs to reorient her mechanics around getting proper IR, which means keeping the right shoulder back longer and letting her arm drop and whip. My favorite way to do this is to use the slingshot motion, first with a step and then with a leap. This will also improve her front side resistance and brush interference. Once she gets the feel for whipping the ball with the slingshot the next hurdle will be getting her to use that basic action with a windmill motion. Here is a link to Sarah Pauly doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ybZclAsGCA

Did her elbow issue have anything to do with pitching?
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
[MENTION=13317]mmeece[/MENTION] I have looked at these videos a ton over the weekend and kinda has me stumped a bit. Agree with what has been said already. FSR is your first thing but there is something else going on as well. I look at her landing foot stride foot and it really really straight. She lands with her heel first as she is almost straight to the catcher with it. So is Monica Abbott, but it just doesn't seem right with your DD.

I think there might be a combo of having her land more of a 45, push back or up for FSR, that might work well together and help her out. Landing foot straight to the catcher is much harder to brake, ie. put on the brakes than at a 45 or so. I think her drive out looks pretty good, and still trying to understand the flip out of the foot. I see what you are saying and just trying to figure out why she is doing it. Usually, with a backswing (which she doesn't have and not a bad thing she doesn't) helps me time things better but more difficult for me in this case.

If she was a back swinger pitcher, I would tell you to keep the back swing in the "back" as long as possible while pushing. She would feel rushed in the arm and the legs would drag well. Usually there is too much time when the arm and feet are out of whack "timing" which can create a hop, pivot before push, etc. etc.

I will keep looking but start with the above as they may solve the issue. FSR and don't land on the heel, land on the ball of the foot and push back or push up.

S3
 
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
[MENTION=266]ArmWhip[/MENTION]
She had ulnar nerve transposition surgery (moved her ulnar nerve "funny bone" after it had become entrapped). It was causing her hand to become numb and eventually also caused pain in her elbow. Ulnar neuritis is a fairly common problem with throwers of any type. She had an anatomical abnormality in the elbow that caused her to form more scar tissue than would normally happen.
 
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
[MENTION=7284]STRIKE3[/MENTION]
The foot angle is something I think would really help as well. I appreciate your help. I think I know what the individual problems are, I just keep thinking there is one connecting factor.
 

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