- Jul 14, 2008
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- 63
Would you elaborate on what you recommend as velocity practice?
Whether you guys/gals realize this or not.......The FASTPITCH delivery is a BALLISTIC ACTION/MOTION......
Simply put, velocity practice is a portion of a lesson or workout dedicated to speed, usually toward the end of a session because the physicality/exertion of this portion of the training pretty much drains the student to the point that further technical training is all but impossible to accomplish due to muscular and mental exhaustion.........
Velocity training does NOT involve rapid successive/repetitive motions/deliveries. Velocity training is a series of BALLISTICLY MOTIVATED FULL PITCHES that focus on FULL EXERTION of the windup/load, leg drive, arm circle speed and I/R wrist snap..........WITHOUT interjection/distraction of mechanical correction BY THE INSTRUCTOR........It is also done WITHOUT the distraction of a radar gun..........
During velocity practice, the student is simply required to take his/her position on the rubber.........Take a deep relaxation breath in and out........And then perform the fastpitch motion with TOTAL EXERTION OF ALL PARTS of the delivery........This should INCLUDE an EXERTION BREATH at the moment of snap that can be anything from a small focused grunt, to a louder more ballistic noise that helps the student focus in on the last bit of kinetic transfer/action at the MOMENT OF TRUTH..........
After completing the delivery of EACH pitch.........There is NO interjection by the instructor/dad/mom/otherwise........Except "MOTIVATIONAL SPEAK" that CHALLENGES the pitchers aggressiveness and encourages her to "LET IT GO"........This includes praise for a job well done during this session.........
The student returns to the rubber.........And repeats the BALLISTIC PITCHING MOTION..........STARTING WITH a relaxation breath, and focusing on the "ALL IN MOTION"..........Followed by another "MOTIVATION SPEAK" from someone who the PITCHER TRUSTS........
Spots/Spins are totally disregarded, except to attempt to throw to the CENTER OF THE CATCHER'S STERNUM.........During this practice.......THERE IS NO GLOVE TARGET from the catcher........The catcher/coach/dad simply holds the glove close to the target area ready to receive the pitch, while trying to MINIMIZE the distraction of the "glove target"........
After performing velocity practice, finish with a cool-down series of easy tosses from closer range.........You will know when the pitcher is "done" with velocity practice. The key is to DISREGARD the importance of distractions of targets, mechanics, etc., and tap into the BALLISTIC NATURE of pitching.........By encouraging the ALL IN MOTION........
Velocity practice IS NOT ABOUT actual MPH..........It is about training the student to TAP INTO HIS/HER INSTINCTS for aggressiveness as a pitcher in charge of her own athleticism........
IMO.........This is as IMPORTANT to the pitchers development as ANYTHING ELSE you can offer to your student......
There are those days that YOUNG pitchers just do not have the focus required for intense or repetitive technical training.........On those days........VELOCITY PRACTICE is a great short term workout that is motivational to the student without all the other stuff............And is limited to 15-20 minutes including warm up and cool down.......
After all.........Name me a pitcher who's goals do NOT INCLUDE being the fastest pitcher on the team/league.......
This practice is NOT a substitute for spins and spots..........It is how the two are melded into "The TOTAL PITCHER"..........