Windmill - Arm position at 3/4 down position

Somehow I became our 10U teams pitching coach and am also helping an 8U Team when I have time. For the most part none of these girls have pitched fast pitch before and I am trying to work with them and their parents on the proper mechanics.

Most the girl’s arm circles are not what I would consider windmill. When their arm starts the downward motion the ball is either way over their head or way away from their body. I have been placing my arm, or another object, in the way so that they will hit it if their arm gets too far off track. Am I doing the right thing? Does it matter where the ball is located at the “top”, as long as they have a relaxed full arm extension?

I think that you are doing the correct thing. Always work with a power line and have it go about 3 feet passed them. The ball stays outside their body, but does not disappear behind their shoulder. They should almost brush against their hip, on release.

During the complete circle, the ball stays above the power line, so that if they drop it, it would hit the line.

Tell them to imagine drawing a huge circle on a white board and the ball is the marker.

Put them up to the fence, facing it and maybe 10 inches away from it. Have them pitch from there, just using the arm circle.

As far as the ball "lassoing over their head", start them with the ball at 12 o'clock.. I call it the statue of liberty. Thumb is rotated away from their body. The ball is then as high as it can be, without actually locking the elbow.

I like that a lot, thanks.

They also do the same thing with their knee drills so I think it makes sense to start from there.

Instead of them doing a full motion with this drill, on their knees, ball at 12 o’clock, thumb pointed away, come down and release.

Thanks again

Amy in AZ. said:

As far as the ball "lassoing over their head", start them with the ball at 12 o'clock.. I call it the statue of liberty. Thumb is rotated away from their body. The ball is then as high as it can be, without actually locking the elbow.

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Amy, at 12:00 shouldn't the thumb be facing the body, ball towards the catcher?

At 12:00 the thumb should be pointing at the 3rd base side for a righty and 1st base for a lefty.

Dana

3/4 position

At this point the arm should be flexed and the pitcher should be leading it down leading with the elbow to create whip.

Left that off my other post.

Dana

ifubuildit said:

At 12:00 the thumb should be pointing at the 3rd base side for a righty and 1st base for a lefty.

Dana

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Am I missing something here? Isn't Jennie Finch's thumb pointing towards the first base side in this picture?

I love and hate this forum, I am so confused.

quincy said:

I love and hate this forum, I am so confused.

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Just to confuse you more I will add my .02. If you are teaching "internal rotation" to your 8U/10U pitchers, then finch's "show it and throw it" above would have the ball (i.e. palm) facing home plate and the thumb pointed towards 1B, to maximize arm whip at 6 o'clock through release. However, PCs for new pitchers might teach back of the hand towards home plate at 12 o'clock, with thumb pointed towards 3B to "lessen strain on the shoulder and elbow" i have been told?. The latter technique will promote a "bowling" follow through which in my opinion is NOT ideal.

I believe if you advance the finch arm a frame or two it rotates toward palm facing third. shoulders do not rotate very far beyond th epic shown with the palm facing forward, try and you will understand