Queen of the hill drive trainer

[jdavitsky]

If this tool could get my DD an extra 4-5 mph it would be worth it to me...Leg drive is where she is weak...but I am a bit skeptical that it will make that type of difference for her. As some of the previous posters have mentioned, it would be great to be able to try it out before buying. Pretty expensive to buy on a hunch.

 

[coach james]

The spring loaded aspect of this device makes me wonder if it is possible that once the pitcher stops pushing backwards on this device, does the spring portion of the device going forward contribute to stronger drive for the pitcher? My guess is its too small or not enough strength to make a difference, but anything is possible.

The spring is adjustable in the amount of ground force applied. It only moves back about 1/2"... thats not enough to really aid in launching you forward. The benefit comes from the power the launch, the angle in which she launched, and the second audible click aids in the timing aspect.
I've noticed if in her "first h" of the drive, if she isn't postured forward at the correct angle, her foot will push not back enough to create the first click! It'll push down and no click is achieved. This will instantly tell you if shes driving out with her pivot foot or reaching out with her stride foot.

 

[Tatonka]

Admittedly, I haven't had enough chance to really see or think this one through but in light of some of the other discussions surrounding quad vs glute dominance and hip thrust vs leg drive, ball/mid-foot vs. toe push, etc.. could this device, which is reacting to only the ground force pressure at the toes not be capturing (and reinforcing) the whole story when it comes to creating drive and separation? *sorry for the run on sentence! Hope it made sense?

 

[sluggers]

Used to take Jake to the baseball field and have her throw off the mound to get the feel of getting up and out.

This is a fantastic idea. Any warnings or advice about hwo to do it?

 

[MattM]

could this device, which is reacting to only the ground force pressure at the toes not be capturing (and reinforcing) the whole story when it comes to creating drive and separation? *sorry for the run on sentence! Hope it made sense?

Since it only measures lateral force not downward force, it seems to be promoting a lower launch angle to get the click. This may be why initially the girls were falling forward. Unlike sprinting start you only have one stride to get up. Would be interesting to see if Jame's students can make adjustments to get the click and still get good FSR.

 

[coach james]

Since it only measures lateral force not downward force, it seems to be promoting a lower launch angle to get the click. This may be why initially the girls were falling forward. Unlike sprinting start you only have one stride to get up. Would be interesting to see if Jame's students can make adjustments to get the click and still get good FSR.

rule of 1/3....
2/3 energy out and 1/3 up... if they are 2/3 up and only 1/3 out...no click

 

[riseball]

Used to take Jake to the baseball field and have her throw off the mound to get the feel of getting up and out.

This is a fantastic idea. Any warnings or advice about hwo to do it?

I may have gotten this from Jennie Ritter and it was to help with the drop. Throwing downhill got them to feel what it was like to get their weight on front foot, nose over toes, etc. The by product was a longer stride. Jake, who never did learn to throw a drop tried it and we saw the benefit with regard to the increased stride length, weightlessness, and so on.

I strongly suggest throwing into a tarp or a bow net as the last thing you want to focus on is accuracy. As with any drill they need to fully understand the purpose. I start dry with no ball so they can get used to it and then introduce the ball. It will feel strange so build up to full speed. Throw a few from the mound and then got to flat ground. Repeat.

 

[STRIKE3]

Drive Foot Turnout

This girl is brand new. Has only been taking lessons for 4-1/2 months. Its obviously a work in progress.
These clips are intended to show the differences in her drive


[video]https://youtu.be/NJ-0chXhoR4[/video]
[video]https://youtu.be/LTlwKmHOifo[/video]
[video]https://youtu.be/7EGtGJ2IuMU[/video]

In this last clip, notice her falling forward? This is that extra forward momentum shes not used to...

Coach James, I was looking back at your videos as I truly have no life as it is 37 degrees here and in-between College games on ESPN+.

I was very impressed with video number 3 and the girls drive foot turnout. Any thoughts as to if the Queen will help promote that or not. I cannot think of any but I have no experience with it. And when I say promote I mean just that as a positive thing. The girl in that video (and I am glad you shot it in slow mo) has excellent drive foot turnout IMO. I can't tell if it changed any or not from the first video but wanted to get your thoughts.

So much bad information on the internet that DFT (drive foot turnout) is bad. Just the opposite in my opinion. I recently read a tweet that a girl had posted a few weeks ago that she was so excited to leave a camp she had been at and the fact her dad was going to buy her a foot prison (she used a different name for the device of course). I can't for the life of me find the dang tweet so I could say which camp she was at but it made me cringe....

S3

 

[coach james]

I dont put much emphasis on this... I simply want a forward drive that opens as a result of the stride and the arm circle...

 

[coach james]

Ok.... Had 3 girls scheduled this morning... Only 1 could make it. Here she is.
14u freshman. This is her 4th lesson with me.
Shes slow for her age and size. Peaked at 48 this morning.
Worked on drive, posture, and resistance.
Final on the pocket radar at the end was 51.
[video]https://youtu.be/ikj11wRmF68[/video]
[video]https://youtu.be/VJYsUYlJVCI[/video]
[video]https://youtu.be/HbwJ1BMkDYg[/video]

This last clip show her learning Riseball spin with the queen placed on the front side.
[video]https://youtu.be/2Jc4BHb2fLc[/video]

Again she's new to me and my style. Was a HE kid, and still tends to avoid brush and not whip as much as we'd like. Overall she's making good progress, and I feel like using the queen today really helped her feel both drive and resistance!
3 mph increase today!!