Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Where to start when teaching 9u to pitch?

[frenchy101010]

Okay my daughter just finished up her 8u travel season. After the last game was over she said "Dad, I want to pitch". Where do I start, she wanted to practice it all season, but I told her to wait til her season was over first. So last night I got the buckets of balls out. I put her at 20ft to work on the throwing motion. From balls over my head to ground balls she was all over the place. I told her we would just work on the throwing motion, and throwing strikes and slowly move back to 35ft.

How soon should we go to a pitching coach for lessons or should I just let her work on it for awhile?

 

[wow]

I am sure as there are coaches there will be ways to pitch. My suggestion is to learn as much as you can. Videos, books, clinics, and here on the forum. Make it something you do with her. The time you put in will be not only making her a good pitcher but very memorable. If she catches on quickly and likes it then you can look at a instructor. When you do find a instructor find one who will work with your DD and not try to change too much. Pitching is a attitude for sure. 9u is a great try out year. You will have another year at 10U to dial everything in.

 

[weekendsoftball]

I agree with Wow. Go to youtube and google as much info as you can. Start her with what makes sense to you. At 8 going into 9, definitely introduce her to 35 feet right away. The more she throws, the more consistent the pitches will become. My DD showed interest in pitching during her 7 year old year of coach pitch. She was throwing off and on for about 5 months. In that span, her passion definitely grew and she did show some natural ability. So I started to digging around and found a pitching coach. Best thing we ever did. DD has learned so much from her in the physical aspect of pitching as well as the mental. In October, we will be with our pitching coach for 2 years. So we are still new to this too and learning every day. It is a fun ride, enjoy it!

 

[brownsfan]

I started my dd with sitting down, legs open and knees bent, with her pitching arm under the knee with wrist exposed in center of body to dowrist flips. We did that for a good two-three months before I felt comfortable advancing her and getting her lessons.

Can be done watching television (wouldn't recommend until after she gains control). As soon as she's able to start popping that up into the air with proper spin. also have her stand up with pitching arm in center of body doing wrist flips. I wouldn't go past that until she starts popping the ball in the air while sitting. She can't control that, she'll have problems when you add arm circle, swimming (other arm), and driving.

 

[coachjwb]

If you can afford it, I would go to a pitching coach sooner than later, if even only infrequently. Much of pitching is about repetition and muscle memory. If you don't do it right from the start, you're going to have that much more of a difficult time to break the bad habits. A pitching coach can help you get started the right direction, and then you can practice on your own and go back occasionally to make sure you're on the right track or learn the next step.

 

[ThompsonUSSSA]

1st step: Get a 2nd job to pay for lessons
2nd step: Learn as much as you can teach so step one doesn't become a 3rd job!

J/K...sorta!

One other good idea is have your daughter talk to an accomplished pitcher...(good HS/college that you may know!)
Have her get an understanding on the amount of time / dedication it will take in her future so she is fully aware of what it takes "to get there!".

After that, concentrate on fundamentals and proper arm motion as much as possible. Don't EVER shortcut good / safe mechanics for strikes!

Good luck!

 

[Welling]

I agree with coach. That is about the same age that my DD started. We found a very good pitching coach that could break down the motion and made sure to emphasize the mechanics more than throwing from distance. At first it was more about making sure everything was done properly with less emphasis on throwing strikes from 35'. The bad habits can not only rob speed and accuracy but cause injury as they get older. Find the right pitching coach, grab your bucket and enjoy the ride!!!!

 

[Louuuuu]

In the meantime, there are things you can do to get her started.

First one being Wrist Flicks. With the forearm stationary, and hanging vertically, practice flicking the wrist to put the ball in catchers mitt a few feet away. This is all wrist - just let the ball roll off the fingertips. And it's done across the body - new pitchers have a hard time with the fact that you're "sideways" when they're in the pitching motion - left foot, right foot, and target are all in one line.

After perfecting this, now add arm movement by raising the arm out to the side to shoulder height. So you're now using 90 degrees of arm rotation + a wrist flick to get the ball in the catcher's mitt. (Catcher moves a bit farther away for this.)

Eventually, you'll be adding more rotation, leg drive, etc... But this is a starting point.

 

[dannyboy]

In my opinion, don't teach her to throw strikes. Have her throw hard every time. Arm speed comes first, and location comes second. Early on she will learn how to throw inside and outside, which depends on where she steps. Up and down is all about release point. Keep it simple early, when she learns those two things, with a fast arm, then she is 9u ready.

 

[frenchy101010]

Anyone have a good name in southwest Columbus (Georgesville area) that works good with younger kids? And thanks for all the input.

 

[FastBat]

Best advice I received about pitching was, "Never let a stupid 10U coach, tell you, your kid can't pitch!" Someone told me this and I would often say it to myself on the bad days!

Good luck and don't give up!

 

[Louuuuu]

In my opinion, don't teach her to throw strikes. Have her throw hard every time. Arm speed comes first, and location comes second.

I have to disagree with you there.

As in real estate; location,location,location... Get the ball over the plate first. Then "paint the corners". Then 70 MPH.

All the speed won't do you any good if you can't control it. Throw strikes - even if they hit it, you have 8 other girls trying to get the runner out.

 

[GirlonFire]

Check out www.brittanylmullen.com

 

[Fairman]

Louuuuuu
Uuuusually Yuuuuuo are right; but not this time.

If you are want an 18U lights out pitcher the last thing you should to do is even mention the strike zone. Your dd needs to throw with effort, she needs to develop getting her arm in the slot, accelerating to the end and feel the ball snap off of her finger tips. If her hand is small use a small ball (even consider using a baseball) so that she doesn't compensate by pushing the ball like a shot-putter.

Sure start at 10', move her back to 20' then 30' then 40' then more. Most girls are very careful and need to get 'big'. When a kid is throwing a baseball (or a softball) 80' she has to extend and leap and really whip her arm followed by a strong wrist snap through the entire circle. You can use a 300' tape and lay it out on the ground and just have her throw balls down the line. This forces her to get 'big' and stay 'big' but she will have to stay inline and then make maximum effort. (you can call out the distance on each pitch)

If you bring up throwing a strike she will get small; she'll lean forward, shorten her arm circle, and try to be careful. (BTW: Never say 'just throw strikes; ever) She needs to throw with abandon and if it goes over your head great.....move her back. Right or left is caused by poor mechanics and can be corrected. You want her constantly pushing to throw harder and then harder (Read further and further again).

She will be terrible and will walk twice as many as she strikes out. She will hit a ton of kids. If you try to make pitching about putting the ball through a 17"x30" box she won't make it out of 12U. She is asking her body to perform a very precise set of motions, in order, at a very high rate of speed....and then she grows and gets stronger and she has to relearn them again at a higher rate of speed .... repeat.

She won't get it as a 9 year old, but by 18 maybe she'll take the team to States.

Get your dd some lessons even if it is part of a big class or give the local high school pitcher $20/an hour to work with her. Unless you have several dd's, you can't waste one while you learn. Get good mechanics right out of the box and then throw 'BIG' (a lot). Get a bucket of used balls or two, don't pick any up you can't catch, let 'em go, this is about throwing and learning to pitch not about you catching. (Oh and get a bucket: you'll be catching 50,000 pitches a year for 12 years..... and your knees can't take it) (Oh, for gods sake; don't criticize every pitch, find something nice to say or just keep your mouth shut, she doesn't need to hear you constantly yammering)

Good Luck

 

[frenchy101010]

Tonight was our 3rd night, we have around 60 balls, thank goodness for that bucket. I'll have to invest in a pair of shin guards. She's got a lot of spin on the balls right now. I try my best to just let her pitch. Her mechanics look okay to me. Every now and then she will throw what I call a lollipop, up and down that's the only thing that bothers me. I have noticed when I have mentioned throwing strikes she does get smaller and careful, so will remember that.

Meeting with a local HS school coach tomorrow, so we will see what he thinks, and where he can help us.

 

[Louuuuu]

Meeting with a local HS school coach ...

Is that your only option ??

 

[Fairman]

It may not be their only option, but it is a start and perhaps the coach could guide you to a pitching coach in your area that does good work with youngsters.


You can simplify the lesson by having her throw from an open position...one foot on the rubber and the other extended toward the plate...with her glove raise toward home and her lead foot toes pointing to third (first for lefties) she can pitch without the full circle...just the downward motion and release....or pitch with the full arm circle and release....... or spin the arm twice and then release....all without the leap and the body twist to get to the open position. All very useful exercises and will provide some variety in her work out.

She will throw some bizarre pitches, some will go behind her, a few will go over the backstop.....don't let it bother you....she needs to push herself and take a chance....she will make a ton a mistakes while she figures it out. Laugh together at the bizarre and just enjoy the trip.

(I bought s----r style shin guards that worked very well and where small enough to fit inside the bucket.)

 

[The3dm]

As a retired pitchers dad (she aged out) we were blessed by a kind hearted coach that worked with my DD for her first two years for free. Once she progressed beyond his ability, he was the first to suggest we find a more experienced coach.

What I think my DD got from having a coach to start with was extremely valuable as she moved up and progressed in her skill-set. The first several months were spent on proper grip, mechanics and strength building. This gave her a great base to build from and protected her from injury. His only constant message (regardless of how wild she threw) was to throw hard regardless of where the ball goes. Control will come, but never sacrifice speed to gain control.

 

[fsotlar]

Start with pitching coach ASAP once you get the wrong muscle memory it can take years to correct it
no point in starting bad habits

 

[FastBat]

Start with pitching coach ASAP once you get the wrong muscle memory it can take years to correct it
no point in starting bad habits

You are right, muscles have memory.