Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Correcting Pitching Mechanics

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Need some help. Is there any drill to help a pitcher who momentarily stops (hesitates) her arm at the top of the windmill motion? Thanks in advance ?

 

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I have seen girls that have had this mechanics problem before, but none that I have worked with. It seemed to me at the time, that there whole motion, seemed to pause, when their arm was at the top of their rotation. That little hesitation might be caused by the pitcher trying to get a little extra on the pitch, and muscling the arm down the backside of the arm rotation.
Not sure of any specific drills to stop it, but you might want to try double, and triple arm rotations then releasing the ball. Trying to keep relaxed in her arm movements, but trying to gain arm speed on each rotation, before releasing the ball. I'm sure someone else may have some better ideas. Good Luck.

 

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Here is an exercise that may work -- Have your pitcher throw to a catcher 30' away and walk to the catcher as the catcher walks backwards to keep the distance correct continuous motion try this in the outfield or a large indoor area -- keeps the motion going along with the proper mechanics of hip release etc. keep moving the distance farther every day up till maybe 50' to 60' ft.

 

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The above suggestions both sound like good sound advice and I would add that remind her to keep her arm long and loose as she completes the circles and release on the last one, without trying to muscle the ball. ?The arm should feel as she is relaxing it going up over her head ?and then phycsically pull the arm through the downside with one complete motion. ?Most of the time when they are thinking speed they are trying to push and use muscle strength to increase velocity, when actually it does not do it. ?To the pitcher it feels faster since she is working the musles more, but long and loose will increase arm speed and accuracy. ?

Here is another exercise that may help and I have my students do it as they warm up. Have her stride 3 steps and pitch on the pivot foot as she releases the ball. ?It should be done without stopping and continous motion throughtout the drill. ? ?It will not allow her to think about the arm and muscle since she is walking at the same time. ?She will probably be concentrating on the steps and forget the pause. ?Remind her to stay tall, keep the long arm and relax. ? She may get discouraged trying to do the drill and if so, try to keep her doing it until she has it down. ?Her discouragement will probably be due to the fact she can't pause and has to change her habit. ?

Good luck and once she sees and as I tell my students "feels" the difference she will know when she is not doing correctly.

Hope this helps. ?

 

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ALSDAD Drill is correct. This is the drill if you go to a Hillhouse pitching clinic that the teach. I would also be concerned that her release point and body are not aligned when she has this hitch. If she has a habit of stepping straight down the line, but the ball is either inside or outside of the strike zone her release point is off.

 

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Go post your question out on this forum. This is the fastpitch analysis forum. Many good pitching coaches on here. Along with a lot of good information on pitching.

Elliott.

http://login.prospero.com/dir-login...tp://forums.delphiforums.com/fpanalysis/start

 

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wow!!

 

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See something you liked there Dobie? ;D

 

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Yes Elliott I love the analysis forum, but I dont like the mechanics thread here. Or maybe I am just misunderstanding. As we both know the pitching motion is not a true circle as (or at least I think) implied here. Where si the elbow in this discussion? I dont know maybe I just missed the point!

 

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Elliott,

P.S. I really do think the rise ball rises and I know you saw it too!

 

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Turbo,

Take a couple of sofballs and put them down in a tube sock. Have your pitcher start slowly swinging them in the windmill motion while standing still. Feet should be shoulder width apart.

DO NOT DO THIS FAST. Just get a nice even pace going with the balls and make sure they are on line with the windmill. If they arent she will find out soon enough anyway. OUCH

20 times a set. 5 sets maximum. Do this for a couple of weeks every day before she pitches. Make sure the arm and shoulder are warm before doing this drill.

This will develop the "Feel" of not stopping the windmill. It will also help strengthen the shoulder muscles and will slowly open up the and strengthen the muscles around the rotator cuff.

I also use it when I get a new student that likes to snap their arm up after release. Another thing I am not fond of with pitchers.

Never FAST and NEVER more than 2 balls.

Keep in touch and let me know how this is working for you.

Elliott.

 

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Dobie,

As we both know the elbow should have a slight bend in it through the windmill.

After watching Bill Hillhouse I know what I saw and I know what gravity does too.

Beyond that I want to join the X files cast and start the investigation into aliens and the rising fastball.

;D

 

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Elliott,

All U guys are hillarious [smiley=laugh.gif]

 

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Ive seeen a drill ..where the girl uses a bat . Hang the bat in the pitching hand ,...straight to the ground Stand open and swing the bat in a pitching motion 1/4 speed of course,..its a drill ,..not full go . The mistake that alot of people make on any drill ,...is ,...they think if its not smoken fast their not getting anything out of it . Focus on smooth proper mechanics rather than speed ,..then once you have created the muscle memory ,..then work up to speed .This just gives the girl the pendilum feel at the sholuder pivot . It is the same prin. as the ball's in the sock .Also ,...don't just show her ,..sit down and talk to her about the science of her whip . Get some dvds of smooth pitchers and let her visually watch what your asking her to change .

 

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Rod,

Good points in your post.

Elliott.

 

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Many thanks to all for the good replies!

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress

TW