Theory time for the long term contributors of this forum.
I've listened/watched to plenty of pitching clinics from Cat, Finch, etc. None advocate IR mechanics. They teach how they were taught giving no thoughts to how they actually pitch. They are pitchers, not instructors. But how did they end up with correct mechanics if they were taught improper mechanics to begin with? Most girls who have the aptitude and attitude to pitch (and providing they stick with it long enough) eventually get around to learning the rise. My theory is that the rise is where they convert to proper IR mechanics. They have no choice but to whip (palm up), slice with their pinky at the hip and get long with their arm at 6 o'clock with a hard snap. Subconsciously this more efficient and powerful motion will bleed over into all the other pitches.
My number one is now starting her third year, time to learn the rise. Drive mechanics are pretty good, whip is good but not what it can be. We started two-weeks ago working the rise, focusing on spin and getting under the ball at snap. You can really see the difference in her whip, a good difference. She's longer at the bottom of her circle and not muscling near as much with her arm. The snap is much more violent. We even work on the rise during long toss drills. I've seen mention on this forum of girls throwing a rise that jumps, I didn't believe it, I do now. I laughed the first few times I saw it. She's a long ways off from pitching with the rise in a game but the benefits of learning the rise on her drop ball are obvious...much better arm whip, much better spin. She hinges back on the rise and forward on the drop. Some may say don't teach the rise until their whip is near perfect on the drop/FB and change.
Here's the point: you've got a girl that can IR but it's not what it can be, not enough spin, not enough speed, not enough control. Teach and focus on the rise, they'll have no choice but to use a more efficient and powerful motion. I think it was the turning point for all the pitchers we use as reference points on this forum.
I've listened/watched to plenty of pitching clinics from Cat, Finch, etc. None advocate IR mechanics. They teach how they were taught giving no thoughts to how they actually pitch. They are pitchers, not instructors. But how did they end up with correct mechanics if they were taught improper mechanics to begin with? Most girls who have the aptitude and attitude to pitch (and providing they stick with it long enough) eventually get around to learning the rise. My theory is that the rise is where they convert to proper IR mechanics. They have no choice but to whip (palm up), slice with their pinky at the hip and get long with their arm at 6 o'clock with a hard snap. Subconsciously this more efficient and powerful motion will bleed over into all the other pitches.
My number one is now starting her third year, time to learn the rise. Drive mechanics are pretty good, whip is good but not what it can be. We started two-weeks ago working the rise, focusing on spin and getting under the ball at snap. You can really see the difference in her whip, a good difference. She's longer at the bottom of her circle and not muscling near as much with her arm. The snap is much more violent. We even work on the rise during long toss drills. I've seen mention on this forum of girls throwing a rise that jumps, I didn't believe it, I do now. I laughed the first few times I saw it. She's a long ways off from pitching with the rise in a game but the benefits of learning the rise on her drop ball are obvious...much better arm whip, much better spin. She hinges back on the rise and forward on the drop. Some may say don't teach the rise until their whip is near perfect on the drop/FB and change.
Here's the point: you've got a girl that can IR but it's not what it can be, not enough spin, not enough speed, not enough control. Teach and focus on the rise, they'll have no choice but to use a more efficient and powerful motion. I think it was the turning point for all the pitchers we use as reference points on this forum.
