- Feb 15, 2017
- 391
- 43
DD is what I would consider an advanced level pitcher at this point. After pitching for about 7 years she is 13u with a game speed cruise of 57-58mph (pocket) and very good command of a change, drop and rise. Of course as we wait on mother nature to inject size and strength into her body we are constantly tweaking mechanics to get the very most out of what she has to work with. One thing we have been working on alot is optimal drive mechanics, which has been a topic of conversation on here alot lately.
As I work with her and a few other pitchers I find myself constantly learning to use different terminology as different ladies take the same words differently and have “aha” moments with sometimes corny explanations or cues.
Sooo...my latest epiphany... we always talk about a powerful drive (both feet), using the Queen pretty regularly over the last 9 months or so. Of the 7 girls I work with - they all have the very same approach in their mind (after lots of questions and observations)....they have the drive as a strong movement verses a quick movement. I liken it to slow and strong verses quick. They associate quick with not “digging deep”. We push a sled alot...creates good drive posture in my opinion. And I think that has actually fooled their mind/body into that type of pitching drive.
So on experiment I started using a snap cue telling them I wanted them to rock into load and then as quickly as possible snap into the pitch as opposed to driving off as strong as possible. The results for 6 out of the 7 have been nothing short of mindblowing immediately. They all are seeing better brush/whip (video shows the “strong drive” mentality causes the hips to open more prematurely than the alternative). I have 3 that occasionally struggled with the back foot hop that we have tried very hard to fix with laces to the catcher drills....fixed that almost instantly also. And...every one of them immediately saw 1-3 mph gains. Makes sense...the faster the legs go the faster the arm goes to catchup. Thankfully all my girls have been drilled on FSR or we could have all kinds of other issues.
All over me asking questions, changing verbal cues. Its amazing how much this game can teach you about things other than softball and how our approach can’t ever be the same.
Comments about “strong/powerful” vs “quick” drive? Am I completely late on this or anyone have similar stories? Am I wrong?
As I work with her and a few other pitchers I find myself constantly learning to use different terminology as different ladies take the same words differently and have “aha” moments with sometimes corny explanations or cues.
Sooo...my latest epiphany... we always talk about a powerful drive (both feet), using the Queen pretty regularly over the last 9 months or so. Of the 7 girls I work with - they all have the very same approach in their mind (after lots of questions and observations)....they have the drive as a strong movement verses a quick movement. I liken it to slow and strong verses quick. They associate quick with not “digging deep”. We push a sled alot...creates good drive posture in my opinion. And I think that has actually fooled their mind/body into that type of pitching drive.
So on experiment I started using a snap cue telling them I wanted them to rock into load and then as quickly as possible snap into the pitch as opposed to driving off as strong as possible. The results for 6 out of the 7 have been nothing short of mindblowing immediately. They all are seeing better brush/whip (video shows the “strong drive” mentality causes the hips to open more prematurely than the alternative). I have 3 that occasionally struggled with the back foot hop that we have tried very hard to fix with laces to the catcher drills....fixed that almost instantly also. And...every one of them immediately saw 1-3 mph gains. Makes sense...the faster the legs go the faster the arm goes to catchup. Thankfully all my girls have been drilled on FSR or we could have all kinds of other issues.
All over me asking questions, changing verbal cues. Its amazing how much this game can teach you about things other than softball and how our approach can’t ever be the same.
Comments about “strong/powerful” vs “quick” drive? Am I completely late on this or anyone have similar stories? Am I wrong?