- May 17, 2012
- 2,807
- 113
I am trying to teach my 12U pitcher how to throw a curve ball and I am doing a poor job of it. I do not understand how exactly you achieve the horizontal spin when using the infamous IR pitching method. Perhaps BoardMembers head just exploded as one does not have to do with the other.
I have tried:
She can throw fastballs and change ups for strikes on command and she is ready to learn a new pitch. She doesn't throw fast enough to throw a rise so I haven't mentioned that one to her. Her fastball has a natural cut in towards the batter so we want to learn a curve.
Is the hand cupped (facing the sky) on release to achieve the horizontal spin (utilizing the fingers to spin the ball)? It is my understanding you always lean or step in the direction you want the ball to spin so in this case she would be stepping slightly to the left of the power line? I understand the connection between spin and speed in order to achieve the required movement but I can't even get her to spin the ball horizontal (hand too small?)
I apologize for my ignorance,
Any help is appreciated (there is cash involved if you can help me ).
Thanks,
I have tried:
- Spine rite spinner (yellow hockey puck throwing aid) - She can throw this horizontal every time but never with the ball.
- Pitching Coach - He always tries to teach her some knuckle curve, he doesn't seem interested in her learning this pitch.
- YouTube videos - Lots of videos none that I have found helpful
- Books - lots of books comment on how to do it and drills to utilize but I haven't found the right book apparently
- forum searched - I have read most of the curve ball threads but I still haven't found any concrete answers
- RightView pro for iPhone - All pitches on the iPhone look the same to me at that resolution and frame rate.
She can throw fastballs and change ups for strikes on command and she is ready to learn a new pitch. She doesn't throw fast enough to throw a rise so I haven't mentioned that one to her. Her fastball has a natural cut in towards the batter so we want to learn a curve.
Is the hand cupped (facing the sky) on release to achieve the horizontal spin (utilizing the fingers to spin the ball)? It is my understanding you always lean or step in the direction you want the ball to spin so in this case she would be stepping slightly to the left of the power line? I understand the connection between spin and speed in order to achieve the required movement but I can't even get her to spin the ball horizontal (hand too small?)
I apologize for my ignorance,
Any help is appreciated (there is cash involved if you can help me ).
Thanks,