As always, I struggle with the "where do I go from here?" with my DD when it comes to her pitching development. With that said, I appreciate any advice from the experts that have been there and done that. I know everyone has opinions that vary and every pitchers development is different. I will give you description of where we are and so I ask from you...what would you do next?
Okay, first a little background...DD is first year 12U, second PC we have been with for 6 months, first PC was HE so we had some changes to do. DD has come a long way with second PC from getting pulled in one inning due to walks to this weekend throwing a no hitter, 5 K, 2 BB (would say this was an average travel ball team as far as competition goes that we have seen just to put it in perspective, not a miracle, but great progress).
Now, she basically is locating fastball and CU. We were starting to make good progress adding a roll over drop (breaking enough to make me nervous on the bucket) , but within the last several weeks she cannot seem to get any break when she throws it. PC seems to think her "whip" is faster and she is not "rolling" her hand fast enough so it ends up like a FB down the middle of the plate. Currently she is better off just throwing a low FB in a game instead of drop. When she started with second PC her top speed was 51 or 52...was clocked a few weeks ago at 57 once and hit 56 4 times. PC makes them hit a speed at least twice before she counts it as their top speed (she rarely clocks them).
Here is why I get unsure and question myself...
1) Do you see pitching development as cyclical or linear? (I think those are the correct terms?) In other words, at what point to do move to another pitch or decide if mechanics are sound enough, and how do you determine when to do that? or are you working on many things at one time...mechanics, better location of FB, better break on drop, etc? I'm probably asking a "chicken and egg" question?
With DD, she still will let her butt drop from time to time so it keeps her from being really tall at end of pitch and she still needs to work on her drive off the mound. She has moments when she can hit corners with her FB with ease and sometimes she will throw 5 pitches and cannot hit the desired location....so there is a lot to work on.
How close to perfection to work before adding more? Keep working drop or work more to prefect her mechanics, FB and CU? Maybe I'm just going crazy thinking about all of this all the time!!?? I just know I don't like to waste developmental time doing things the wrong way or not the best way so I am very thankful for all the advice and knowledge I get here. I hope I have not confused you all as much as I confuse myself when I think about this. If your advice is for me to seek professional help I will not take offense! Thanks again!
Okay, first a little background...DD is first year 12U, second PC we have been with for 6 months, first PC was HE so we had some changes to do. DD has come a long way with second PC from getting pulled in one inning due to walks to this weekend throwing a no hitter, 5 K, 2 BB (would say this was an average travel ball team as far as competition goes that we have seen just to put it in perspective, not a miracle, but great progress).
Now, she basically is locating fastball and CU. We were starting to make good progress adding a roll over drop (breaking enough to make me nervous on the bucket) , but within the last several weeks she cannot seem to get any break when she throws it. PC seems to think her "whip" is faster and she is not "rolling" her hand fast enough so it ends up like a FB down the middle of the plate. Currently she is better off just throwing a low FB in a game instead of drop. When she started with second PC her top speed was 51 or 52...was clocked a few weeks ago at 57 once and hit 56 4 times. PC makes them hit a speed at least twice before she counts it as their top speed (she rarely clocks them).
Here is why I get unsure and question myself...
1) Do you see pitching development as cyclical or linear? (I think those are the correct terms?) In other words, at what point to do move to another pitch or decide if mechanics are sound enough, and how do you determine when to do that? or are you working on many things at one time...mechanics, better location of FB, better break on drop, etc? I'm probably asking a "chicken and egg" question?
With DD, she still will let her butt drop from time to time so it keeps her from being really tall at end of pitch and she still needs to work on her drive off the mound. She has moments when she can hit corners with her FB with ease and sometimes she will throw 5 pitches and cannot hit the desired location....so there is a lot to work on.
How close to perfection to work before adding more? Keep working drop or work more to prefect her mechanics, FB and CU? Maybe I'm just going crazy thinking about all of this all the time!!?? I just know I don't like to waste developmental time doing things the wrong way or not the best way so I am very thankful for all the advice and knowledge I get here. I hope I have not confused you all as much as I confuse myself when I think about this. If your advice is for me to seek professional help I will not take offense! Thanks again!