Pitching and Pitchers Discussion parent role at dd pitching lessons?

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i really try to keep my mouth shut and simply catch my dd and pay the bill but fail most of the time. i want to make the relationship between student and teacher, not student/teacher/parent. i'm always constructive and try to add occasional key points the pc may not notice...tonight for example, i made 3 or 4 observations over a 1 hr lesson.

it got me thinking, does she wish i'd just shut the heck up?

what role do you guys play at your dd's pitching lessons?

jay

 

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I don't say anything to my DD. I direct everything to her pitching coach. Whether it be observations or questions about what is happening at that time.

 

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Early on I would catch and try to figure out what the coach was trying to teach so that I could reinforce his lessons during the almost nightly father-daughter pitching practices. Before or after the session, I'd ask whatever questions I'd thought of during the week or during the session. As she got faster and the pitches started moving more, I spent more time trying to stay in one piece, and then asking what she should work on before we'd leave the session. At some point she became too fast and had too much movement for me to do much more than warm her up - that was when I started making sure she always had someone to catch, but also the point that I was able to fully concentrate on what her pitching coach was teaching and able to ask the "good" questions. Too soon after that point it became apparent that she knew what to ask and how to interact with her coach, and it was time for me step back and let her take charge of her skill.

 

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Never to have played fastpitch, only baseball, I expect 2 things during a lesson. 1- to teach my dd 2- to educate me. My dd has been taking lessons since 8u (for 4 years) and is on her 3rd instructor. Her 1st was a high school/travel coach that seemed to be bothered by my questions. I feel like since I'm paying for a service, therefor I'm the customer, and he should adjust to his customers needs as a normal business would. Had to say goodbye. Her 2nd coach was a former college pitcher and had no idea how to teach the art just knew how to do it. I felt like I knew more than she did cause of her experience with her 1st instructor and the holy youtube videos out there. Now she is on her 3rd coach. This man is awesome. Former mens travel player and can wing the ball in the 90s. I have seen this with my own eyes. He never hesitates to answer any questions I may have and my dd loves him.In six months she has increased her speed by 8 mph and has went from 3 pitches to 7 pitches. This man is a true "Pitching Instructor".

 

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Early on I would catch and try to figure out what the coach was trying to teach so that I could reinforce his lessons during the almost nightly father-daughter pitching practices. Before or after the session, I'd ask whatever questions I'd thought of during the week or during the session. As she got faster and the pitches started moving more, I spent more time trying to stay in one piece, and then asking what she should work on before we'd leave the session. At some point she became too fast and had too much movement for me to do much more than warm her up - that was when I started making sure she always had someone to catch, but also the point that I was able to fully concentrate on what her pitching coach was teaching and able to ask the "good" questions. Too soon after that point it became apparent that she knew what to ask and how to interact with her coach, and it was time for me step back and let her take charge of her skill.

Now if other parents would just follow this same philosophy, all would be good.

 

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Never to have played fastpitch, only baseball, I expect 2 things during a lesson. 1- to teach my dd 2- to educate me. My dd has been taking lessons since 8u (for 4 years) and is on her 3rd instructor. Her 1st was a high school/travel coach that seemed to be bothered by my questions. I feel like since I'm paying for a service, therefor I'm the customer, and he should adjust to his customers needs as a normal business would. Had to say goodbye. Her 2nd coach was a former college pitcher and had no idea how to teach the art just knew how to do it. I felt like I knew more than she did cause of her experience with her 1st instructor and the holy youtube videos out there. Now she is on her 3rd coach. This man is awesome. Former mens travel player and can wing the ball in the 90s. I have seen this with my own eyes. He never hesitates to answer any questions I may have and my dd loves him.In six months she has increased her speed by 8 mph and has went from 3 pitches to 7 pitches. This man is a true "Pitching Instructor".

12 years old and 7 pitches?.....sorry, but that's funny...

 

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yes...i didnt make a mistake... 1- drop, 2- off speed drop, 3- change, 4-curve, 5- rise, 6-curve/rise, 7 - screw..all of her pitches move too....top speed clocked at 49...change at 36...last year had 86% target rate..can intentionall throw 2 pitchouts to a batter with no sweat of walking...your welcome to come watch her anytime, if you live in the Dayton area...would never lie about my dd's talent

 

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Early on I would catch and try to figure out what the coach was trying to teach so that I could reinforce his lessons during the almost nightly father-daughter pitching practices. Before or after the session, I'd ask whatever questions I'd thought of during the week or during the session. As she got faster and the pitches started moving more, I spent more time trying to stay in one piece, and then asking what she should work on before we'd leave the session. At some point she became too fast and had too much movement for me to do much more than warm her up - that was when I started making sure she always had someone to catch, but also the point that I was able to fully concentrate on what her pitching coach was teaching and able to ask the "good" questions. Too soon after that point it became apparent that she knew what to ask and how to interact with her coach, and it was time for me step back and let her take charge of her skill.

Pretty much the same approach I've taken.

 

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i really try to keep my mouth shut and simply catch my dd and pay the bill but fail most of the time. i want to make the relationship between student and teacher, not student/teacher/parent. i'm always constructive and try to add occasional key points the pc may not notice...tonight for example, i made 3 or 4 observations over a 1 hr lesson.

it got me thinking, does she wish i'd just shut the heck up?

what role do you guys play at your dd's pitching lessons?

jay

If the PC is not noticing certain things, then maybe you need a new PC. Maybe it's a difference of opinion between you and the PC pertaing to pitching mechanics. Maybe your observations are incorrect. There really is not enough information to determine the validity of either the PC's or your pitching theories.

Chances are the PC probably does wish you'd shut the heck up.... From the PC's perspective, she's probably thinking in her head, "Geez....if you know so dang much about pitching then you teach her!"

I do not have a dd that pitches but she is a catcher and has been to many pitching lessons to catch. I have been to quite a few of these lessons. The best thing to do IMO is to find a catcher to catch your dd so you can focus on your dd AND the instructor. Listen to what the PC says to your dd. Watch the PC focus on your dd. Take mental notes. Focus on whether or not your dd is getting better and she is not hurting herself. Let the PC do what the PC is being paid to do. If you don't like the results, find another PC.

Len

 

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Never to have played fastpitch, only baseball, I expect 2 things during a lesson. 1- to teach my dd 2- to educate me. My dd has been taking lessons since 8u (for 4 years) and is on her 3rd instructor. Her 1st was a high school/travel coach that seemed to be bothered by my questions. I feel like since I'm paying for a service, therefor I'm the customer, and he should adjust to his customers needs as a normal business would. Had to say goodbye. Her 2nd coach was a former college pitcher and had no idea how to teach the art just knew how to do it. I felt like I knew more than she did cause of her experience with her 1st instructor and the holy youtube videos out there. Now she is on her 3rd coach. This man is awesome. Former mens travel player and can wing the ball in the 90s. I have seen this with my own eyes. He never hesitates to answer any questions I may have and my dd loves him.In six months she has increased her speed by 8 mph and has went from 3 pitches to 7 pitches. This man is a true "Pitching Instructor".

Sir, ask for your money back. While I'm overjoyed for you that you have so much confidence in your new pitching coach, if he's telling you he throws (or threw) in the mid 90's, then you've been snookered. And you should probably wonder what else he's fibbing about. If you go a google search you will see the fastest pitcher at the men's world tournament (called the ISC World Championship) is an Australian kid who throws 86 mph. While I have no doubt this coach is good and was actually a pitcher, the embellishment is comical.

 

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I was thinking the same thing 90!!!!!, ooookaayyyy.
As far as my dd pitching coach. I sit on bucket and say little (she is 15 now). But I do ocassionally say something when I see it. We have been going to pitching instructor and partner in crime (Mr. D) since she was about 9, so we have a good relationship. He tells the pitchers that he cant be there all the time so listen to your fathers (they one's who have been sitting on a bucket for years). But on the other hand and I am sure that some agree; My dd and I get along great, but when we (fathers or moms) say something to correct them....we don't know what the heck we are talking about according to our DD. So instead we have to drive and pay some instructor to tell her the same thing on most occasions. Our instructor is great and we cannot pick up everything while the ball is flying at you.

 

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Its funny how this thread became about my dd and her instructor. Not sure if he threw in the 90s is truely accurate or not. All I know is that he played in the 80s and not exactually sure how old he is , maybe around 50, and I saw him pitch at our local fields and was clocked in the mid 70s.This man has taught my dd more in 6 months than her first two instructors did over a 3 1/2 year period. Not to sure about the league your speaking of, but when I was a kid in the mid 80s , my family and I went to watch The King and His Court and that old man was clocked in the 100s. They were a 4 man fastpitch team that was kinda along the Harlem Globe Trotters style. Man it was awesome. I dont claim to be an expert, I have only coached this game for 8 years and am still learning, but one thing is for sure, I would never lie about anything. Needless to say, I wont be asking for a refund.

 

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yes...i didnt make a mistake... 1- drop, 2- off speed drop, 3- change, 4-curve, 5- rise, 6-curve/rise, 7 - screw..all of her pitches move too....top speed clocked at 49...change at 36...last year had 86% target rate..can intentionall throw 2 pitchouts to a batter with no sweat of walking...your welcome to come watch her anytime, if you live in the Dayton area...would never lie about my dd's talent

I think you might want to change pitching coaches again....no such thing as a 49mph "true" rise ball

 

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DD started at 8U and on 3rd pitching coach. 1st one was a college coach and getting lessons scheduled was like me going to the dentist. 2nd pitching coach moved and we are still in contact. 3rd one has been great. Now, I won't say she throws 30 pitches and throws 70, but what I do know:

1) I address concerns immediately during games. I tell her PC what I see. I will not wait for a lesson.

2) At lessons, I try to sit back and watch. I ask the occasional question, but she normally already hits my questions before I ask. She does an exceptional job of explaining things to my dd, especially now.

3) After lesson, ask what needs to be worked on for homework.

 

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I instruct pitching and to be honest, I believe the girls would rather hear it from me than their parent. I suggest any comments you feel are important should go thru/to the instructor and not be directed to your child. There are two reasons; you may actually be wrong and saying the wrong things and 2; the instructor can receive your observation and be alerted to something we are missing or have a chance to respectfully correct you on the subject without calling you out or embarrassing you in front of your child.

Away from the session, parents may be instructing their child and while we understand the pitcher is your family, wrong is still wrong. Always leave a door of opportunity open to let the instructor correct you----or both of you in a respectful manner so you can go home with the right methods and maintain your parental dignity.

 

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I drive her there, pay the bill, and drive her home. During the lesson I watch so I can help her at home when we practice and if I have any questions, I will ask the PC at the end of the lesson. NEVER give your pointers during lessons...just sit, watch, and listen.

 

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...i would never lie about my dd's talent

This is in no way a shot against you VSFPcoach, I don't even know you. But this is the funniest statement I have ever read!!!!! It should really go into the OFC Hall of Fame of statements. :lmao::lmao::lmao:

 

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This is in no way a shot against you VSFPcoach, I don't even know you. But this is the funniest statement I have ever read!!!!! It should really go into the OFC Hall of Fame of statements. :lmao::lmao::lmao:

Agree completely, hun...it's a classic.

 

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Parents role at pitching lessons: Listen, learn, and ask questions. Direct your thoughts to the instructor, not the player. Get on the same page as the instructor so that you're reinforcing those things that are being taught and not offering contradictory advice that would be confusing to the player.

You'll most likely have to pay attention even more than your daughter will because you are the one that will be evaluating and correcting her mechanics in between lessons. Those 2,3,or 5 practice sessions in between lessons are where she is building muscle memory, so you need to know what to look for and why, as well as how to straighten her out. You'll need to be an extension of her pitching coach while they are away.

Most likely, your daughter will listen to you less than she would her pitching coach, so it would help to take a more passive role in how you interact with your daughter in practice. Such things as asking her what she thinks wasn't quite right, rather than dictating incorrect mechanics will get her to think more and she will take a less defensive posture to your advice. Kids often confuse instruction (positive) with criticism (negative), especially when it comes from their parents, so tread lightly to maintain trust and a positive working relationship.

 

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Parents role at pitching lessons: Listen, learn, and ask questions. Direct your thoughts to the instructor, not the player. Get on the same page as the instructor so that you're reinforcing those things that are being taught and not offering contradictory advice that would be confusing to the player.

You'll most likely have to pay attention even more than your daughter will because you are the one that will be evaluating and correcting her mechanics in between lessons. Those 2,3,or 5 practice sessions in between lessons are where she is building muscle memory, so you need to know what to look for and why, as well as how to straighten her out. You'll need to be an extension of her pitching coach while they are away.

Most likely, your daughter will listen to you less than she would her pitching coach, so it would help to take a more passive role in how you interact with your daughter in practice. Such things as asking her what she thinks wasn't quite right, rather than dictating incorrect mechanics will get her to think more and she will take a less defensive posture to your advice. Kids often confuse instruction (positive) with criticism (negative), especially when it comes from their parents, so tread lightly to maintain trust and a positive working relationship.

Preach it, preacher! I agree with this 100%. Fortunately, my daughter's PC also teaches her to recognize when something goes wrong and how to fix it. However, she is only 12, so sometimes we have to "remind" her. For the most part she gets it.

At lessons, I watch and listen and ask questions as needed. But for the most part, it's the Bill and Maggie show. If she needs "correction", he will handle it. Plus, if the PC is working on one thing and you call out correction for another, well, that's bad.