I'm talking fastball here, normally wrist action is a no-teach for me. Lately I have taken on several students who came with a history of warming up with wrist snaps and using HE mechanics. Some had a few lessons and some were 'monkey see, monkey do'. After weaning them off snaps and teaching them basic IR arm action I'm noticing a certain lack of dynamic action at release and I'm wondering if they are locking the wrist as a reaction to my 'no wrist snaps" edict. Which leads me to the question; what does the wrist do in the IR pitching motion? How does it compare to what the wrist does in the overhand throwing motion, a question especially for those of you who have some fastpitch pitching experience. I'm asking this with the fastball in mind, I know that for other pitches there are different wrist positions so I want to leave them out of this.
The Wrist
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I've been wanting to ask this same question. Just based on slow mo video, I would call it more of a wrist WHIP. Snap of the wrist as a result of energy transfer vs deliberately holding the wrist open until the deliberate closure at release. Essentially like a bull whip or wet towel. It just sort-of remains neutral until the energy wave gets there.
At least thats how I see it.
At least thats how I see it.
- Sep 1, 2021
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I really liked this video.
The video doesn't address whether or not there is any tension in the wrist. If there is no movement, flexion or extension, then a locked wrist should have no detrimental effect.
Zip! Being aware of a loose wrist releasing the ball.
By loose I assume you mean relaxed. How relaxed, totally relaxed? Is the wrist 'floppy' loose? Pick up a softball and grip it, then make your wrist loose. When I do that my grip isn't strong enough to hold on to the ball enough to pitch it. Gripping the ball puts some tension in the wrist.
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WOW..... This is me.
My Daughter been doing Tincher for a few years now and all we heard is "WE DONT DO WRIST SNAPS"
We look at everything trying to get more MPH and just recently after slo mo video, it seems to me like she never mastered the "Release"
It's Still a Wrist snap!!!!!! She's been pushing the ball and coming away from her body trying to get her MPH - had shoulder pain last offseason and now I'm trying to fix this in season and fast.
I'm frustrated with the whole "we don't do snaps" Propaganda and I think it really hurt us.
When DD and I discuss whip we use the same terminology. Forearm, Wrist, then Fingers. She understands sequence / chain and we have a focus day when she just feels this part of the pitch during and extended warm up. Sometimes they just need to slow down and focus on the feel of the pitch.
