Teaching brush interference

[JJsqueeze]

I think Charles Bronson used that in death wish 3 to beat the crap out of thugs.

PC- love ya man but that device does not look like it will teach whip or BI.

 

[Doug Romrell]

I think Charles Bronson used that in death wish 3 to beat the crap out of thugs.

PC- love ya man but that device does not look like it will teach whip or BI.

I ain't gonna use such a thing.

 

[FastPitchCat]

that looks like something i built to mimic the Xcelerator. dd used it for a little bit very early on and then stopped. IMHO, not helpful

 

[Perfect Circle]

that looks like something i built to mimic the Xcelerator. dd used it for a little bit very early on and then stopped. IMHO, not helpful

Exactly....I was testing the concept, after having seen the product posted and poopooed here...as I have tested everything I am interested with...(*here) Would love to see your rendition ? I think I had reduced it to it's simplest form...K.I.S.S. (keep it simple Sir) I did find it helpful for several other things, and too include hitting. It later turned out to be a place for "the depressed" softball & white ones, and even the old waterlogged BB we found. Much better retirement than my SwingThing....once you drill the hole...

I posted this concept, way back, but still used it even this year! Confidence Builder. A unique and priceless Pitching Certification. What I mean is a demonstration or proof of taking extra pitching study....lessons. Just like me wearing a jacket of a prime PC to practice....or setting here @ coffee shop writing this on my Surface w/mouse & keyboard and getting looks of wondering who I'm working for? The constant reminder that the sheath is in control... as I labor to transition once again to stay relevant to DD & trade in my xp/w7 skills for Windows 8.

DD (*easily... this year) was the starter over 2 older girls, because of the rule of being able to come back in...I was not a coach, and explained I would prefer her to start catching (*as her warm up), and be used as "the Closer".......not. DD would be out throwing in the field, as the pitches and catchers would be warming up in front of grandstand, & Her knowing she would be starting. She was getting sour. Both pitchers could zip it, & one was a full fledged flamethrower that only DD could catch. I asked what do you want to do up there??? K's lol... She is sold on her mechanics, but was still miffed. I added watchin them warm up like that has to put the fear of god in all the non-school players. No help....then it came to me after a couple more games... Bring out the balls and rope...(*not named) I stuffed it in her "catchers" Bag... plenty of room.

I told DD I wanted her use it...(*30 rotations) on each arm, right before going out to pitch, because it looked like she was getting out of Balance on her right side. Also on just the left before batting, as the throbbing would remind her of the front hand's role.....

By the time they seen it, and she went through the explanations of how I made it for her, or whatever she told them... End of Story >pouting is the necessity of invention.

Rest assured I'm thinking about how to teach BI >>>>>>




*here=DFP...love Windmill Trainer
*easily= Rec. Class 10u-14u all together, with MS players & fun loving artist....ect.
*as her warm up= Girls equal to Boyz...Overhand is the same as underhand...pitching is one continuous motion, not to be segmented.
*not named=closest I've can come to a label, is Ball & Chain....that would need to alter the design. ~When I revisit ...."if I can add a usage for BI" I would love to call it "the Ball & Chain" to commemorate my first feeling's of having to teach DD BB by the real former Ball & Chain, now AD (athletic Dictator...Mom)
*30 rotations=not sure if I got 60 from the AD for the original, or just started DD with 60 ? I found out later from a 14u'ers Dad that was using my rendition, that she got sored from it. I dropped the 12" softball to a BB, and started the 30 rotations. DD hadn't said a thing and was only 9yrs old???

 

[FastPitchCat]

Dead-stops can definitely help... as the focus is on controlling the arm... which becomes much easier the closer it is to the body.

So... you need to figure out what it is that prevents her from getting better arm proximity, and move your focus to that. Quite often it's a bend in the waist, a rear leg that's heading in the wrong direction, etc...

Once you've done that... the fix is best reached *IMO* by starting at the end of the sequence, and slowly working your way back... up the circle. As someone mentioned, the I/R drills work wonders... as they are a great example of a progression... chained backwards.

Not sure if you're familiar with shaping and chaining, but it's a method I've been using for years. Summarized... I break apart the motion that needs correcting... into a chain of movements. Focus is put on successfully performing one link (part) - not the entire chain. It's identified, communicated to the student, and then feedback is minimized... to only that link - and only if performed correctly. Clickers are handy feedback devices... as they prevent you from talking. One click if it's correct... nothing if it's not. If she performed other motions incorrectly... I don't care... I'm only looking for the one. Once that's done a bunch of times, you move onto the next link. The key is to communicate what it is you expect... and that they understand that. From there, you get total concentration and effort directed towards performing one motion correctly. After you put together a bunch of correct singular motions (link)... you usually end up with a chain... connected.

With brush... all the movements of I/R are explained in the I/R thread. You're looking for those, the proper starting footwork, the posture, and an arm circle that is on the pitching plane - not behind the body. I'd take special note of that last one... as many kids are guilty of swinging their arm back while rotating their shoulders back (in drill and in full-motion pitching when they open too late)... something that puts the ball/arm on the wrong path. Also, watch the rear leg of pitchers that get good brush... and notice the movements of it, that allow it to be a brush surface. Lastly, good brush results from proper elbow orientation... meaning PALM TO SKY. If the elbow is pointed to the ground... not second base... and NOT behind the body (1B for RHP)... the elbow will be put into a position where it is drawn IN to the body... not by jamming it there... but because it was put in the proper position to ALLOW for it to happen.

Regardless of the method you use... I think you'll have much better success if your DD understands what she is to do... so take the time and organize what it is you're setting out to do... before you do it.

Edit: Just thought of another thing... If she's "clearing her butt" out of the way... one thing that really helps pitchers I work with is teaching them to stay upright by contracting the glutes while performing 9 o'clock tosses. The old 'Crack the Walnut' idea. Sounds horrible... I know ... but have them take the drill position with their butt out... and try to get them to contract the glutes. Then have them stand tall... and contract the glutes. You'll notice it's a lot easier to get a good 'squeeze' when you're upright.... it has more of a feeling of your pelvis coming forward. The rear leg will more easily get drawn in, too... a good trait in pitchers.

DD took a good 2 month break from softball (took up basketball in the mean time) and now we're back at it.

it's back to the tarp and throwing. I've made it a point to DD to understand what she needs to achieve this year. We're back to the brush interference (no, we didn't get very far last year and DD wanted NO softball after the last tourny in november 2014) so i'm re-reading this thread.

funny how some things pop out at you after you re-read them after a few months.

here we go. softball starts this month. woo hoo!

 

[riseball]

Confucious says-

you do not teach brush interference, brush interference teaches you.

Very true!

 

[Ken B]

As for teaching it, one of the easiest homework assignments is to loosely swing the arm back and forth and feeling the contact. It should be a brush/roll of the inside of the forearm and you will be able to feel the hand/fingers whipping as a result. There should not be a bump and the elbow should not make any contact. I encourage kids to do this at home (or where ever) as they walk around. Add a ball then follow JJ's progression.

I saw one of my kids and her mom today and they said they saw me at the store. They said they knew it was me because I was brushing my hip as I walked!

 

[FastPitchCat]

Dead-stops can definitely help... as the focus is on controlling the arm... which becomes much easier the closer it is to the body.

So... you need to figure out what it is that prevents her from getting better arm proximity, and move your focus to that. Quite often it's a bend in the waist, a rear leg that's heading in the wrong direction, etc...

With brush... all the movements of I/R are explained in the I/R thread. You're looking for those, the proper starting footwork, the posture, and an arm circle that is on the pitching plane - not behind the body. I'd take special note of that last one... as many kids are guilty of swinging their arm back while rotating their shoulders back (in drill and in full-motion pitching when they open too late)... something that puts the ball/arm on the wrong path. Also, watch the rear leg of pitchers that get good brush... and notice the movements of it, that allow it to be a brush surface. Lastly, good brush results from proper elbow orientation... meaning PALM TO SKY. If the elbow is pointed to the ground... not second base... and NOT behind the body (1B for RHP)... the elbow will be put into a position where it is drawn IN to the body... not by jamming it there... but because it was put in the proper position to ALLOW for it to happen.

Regardless of the method you use... I think you'll have much better success if your DD understands what she is to do... so take the time and organize what it is you're setting out to do... before you do it.

Re-reading java's post about arm proximity, that just hits the nail on the head.
DD's now more attentive to her 'posture' - need to be stacked (knee under hip under shoulder), drive knee pointing to home/catcher instead of 3rd, no leaning towards 3rd

still a work-in-progress, but i'm seeing the benefits already.

 

[Ken B]

JS once mentioned his frustration with an individual that rates threads with one star in some sort of jihad. This person has no interest in learning or furthering our sport. This thread is worthy of 5 stars or reference in a sticky, yet it only has one star as I write.

To this person with your hateful agenda to anonymously discredit those who put their hearts into helping kids become the best they can be: Go kick rocks.

For those who appreciate the intent of this community: If you find a thread to be worthy of 5 stars, give it and the posters who've contributed some love and let them know you appreciate their help with a quick rating. Don't let the lone troll have their sick sense of pleasure.

 

[4 girl's dad]

JS once mentioned his frustration with an individual that rates threads with one star in some sort of jihad. This person has no interest in learning or furthering our sport. This thread is worthy of 5 stars or reference in a sticky, yet it only has one star as I write. To this person with your hateful agenda to anonymously discredit those who put their hearts into helping kids become the best they can be: Go kick rocks.

If you find a thread to be worthy of 5 stars; give it and the posters who've contributed some love and let them know you appreciate their help with a quick rating. Don't the lone troll have their sick sense of pleasure.

She has vowed to not return so hopefully the one star ratings go away as well.