Please help with DDs pitching

[sportinus]

Here was DD pitching last weekend. I think she can get more efficient please tell me what you think


[video=youtube_share;uVJ4pKhMOPk]http://youtu.be/uVJ4pKhMOPk[/video]

 

[Doug Romrell]

Is she throwing a change-up? I ask that because that's what her release looks like. If not, I think one of the main things she needs to work on is the snapping of the whip back closer to her back thigh. Her release isn't a snapping of the whip, but rather her release is clear out in front of her front thigh, greatly weakening her throw.

It'll be interesting what the real experts have to suggest.

 

[Doug Romrell]

 

[sportinus]

No i do not believe it is a change up. She just started pitching again this season. she pitched 2 seasons ago B level team was taught hello elbow. she throws 46 to 52 for fast ball. I think with some help she can throw harder.

 

[Sweet Lou]

She seems to straight arm in. Work on getting more elbow bend to increase whip action.

 

[Ken B]

I agree with Doug and Lou. Set up the whip early with a focus on a flexed arm all the way around the circle. At 12 o'clock her arm is straight, while Scarborough's arm is flexed:

 

[Ken B]

At 9 o'clock, her arm is still straight:



She's also showing some signs of a weak plant and her release angle might be a bit too open.

 

[Ken B]

At release, her arm never really gets much whip: upper arm barely decelerates and ball speed is dependant on arm circle speed. Notice how Scarborough's upper arm has paused, or locked at ther side? This pause transfers all of the energy into the lower arm and down to the finger tips. Ball speed is generated very efficiently using good mecahnics rather than muscle/arm circle speed:

 

[coach james]

Look at the back foot in the above pics... heavy side of foot with no hip torque or light toe with hip torque.
she does however do a nice job of getting her hand inside the ball at release. keep the glove on the power line too. Lack of proper resistance due to the forward leaning.

 

[Ken B]

Even at about the same point in follow through, Scarborough's upper arm is only now unlocking:



Check out the sticky at the top of the pitching forum called "I/R in the Classroom." Good place to start.

At some point, check out the "Drive Mechanics" sticky for ideas on how to improve her lower body, which sets the stage for optimum whip.


Hope that helps,
Ken