To swim or not to swim glove hand

knightsb · Sep 14, 2011

SoftSocDad said:
But here's where common sense comes into play. It's safe to say that the DDs of 99% of the posters here are not (yet) at the respective levels of the model pitchers. Doesn't it stand to reason that the world's elite pitchers can achieve great success with styles that do not fit our 8u/10u DDs?

I agree. My question is more in line with Boardmember's point that the glove hand may be a no teach (let the glove hand do what comes natural to the respective pitcher). There are several threads of parents asking for reviews of their DDs pitching and invariably, you will see the comment that she needs to stop swimming her glove hand. I am seeking input on whether swimming of the glove hand is something I need to start working with my DD on. DD and I refer to the Model pitchers thread frequently to compare our progress. She sees, as I do, that many of the pitchers in that thread are swimming their glove hand... ...or am I missing something like the glove hand typically swims on a particular pitch, like a curve ball?

Jojo · Sep 14, 2011

I think with younger pitchers you should encourage them not to swim, this will help them with opening up and keeping their glove shoulder in.
As they get older and are keeping their shoulder in, you can ease off on harping about the swimming.

NVfishing · Jan 7, 2016

I've posted some videos where my DD is working on her rise ball. I use a string strung between two traffic cones to prevent swim. She still has the circle but more than that and it pushes her pitches inside.
[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eSRQHbKeNMw&feature=em-upload_owner[/video]

knightsb · Jan 7, 2016

Thanks for the bump Ken.

The approach we've taken on the glove hand swim is to focus on the throwing arm shoulder and evaluate if the glove swim is causing too much shoulder rotation at the time of ball release (ie. pulling her off the power line). Too much glove swim does not allow her shoulders open enough. One trick we use is to start her glove hand slightly across the power line during her stride.

WARRIORMIKE · Jan 7, 2016

My dd's pitching coach told her it should feel like your throwing the ball to the glove to prevent some of the swim action. Personally I feel it looks more professional not to swim...

mothgirl · Jan 7, 2016

I think it depends on what your idea of swim is, your glove arm should whip with your throwing arm and that causes a bit of swim. My dd does a very stiff arm glove movement, I would take a swim over that because she's tense.

I hate tacos- said no Juan anywhere

colin · Jan 8, 2016

was working on this tonight as dd3 really throws her glove out to the left. i think it is ok if not too crazy and rest is ok. i do think it is hurting her getting good bi though. throwing arm comes away from body too much.

Ken B · Jan 8, 2016

I don't address swim. I encourage a good drive and ask the kids to use the glove to assist the drive and whip. Up together/down together. Drive out hard towards the target with the backs of the hands and pull down together. javasource has a different take on this and I think it's worth checking out the DM thread and his videos. Like BoardMember and many others, he doesn't focus on fixing swim, but on improving drive mechanics. The glove side will do what it needs to do to balance out and work with the whole body. Same kinda deal with drive foot turn: don't try to cure a symptom--address the cause.

Ken B · Oct 2, 2017

I was going through some posts I had tagged for review and found this one from [MENTION=2313]knightsb[/MENTION]. Hoping he finds time to stop by and share. Miss his input as well as [MENTION=9158]JJsqueeze[/MENTION] and several others....

Hoping the gif sitch can be fixed--so many great ones lost...

Rocketech1 · Oct 2, 2017

Ken B said:
Miss his input as well as [MENTION=9158]JJsqueeze[/MENTION] and several others....

Hoping the gif sitch can be fixed--so many great ones lost...

Spoke with jjsqueeze earlier this year to see how he's doing and he said that he has moved on from the pitching forum as he has other interests. Got the chance to meet him last year at a tourney in OC and he is a fun guy to be around.

To swim or not to swim glove hand

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