When converting an HE pitcher to IR the toughest part for me is rooting out the palm up finish. Often they get the flexed elbow and have the hand on the side of the ball coming down the back side but then they get behind the ball a little early and push into the release, then flip the hand over for the Princess finish (because that is what I ask them to do). The lack of velocity is a clue, and if I am outside with good sunlight I can catch it on my phone camera. That confirms it but I don't have reliable way to treat it.
Pitching Technique Question HE -> IR
- Thread starter Fastpitchdadnc
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 2,425
- 113
Ken, I know you were not speaking in absolutes here. I understand you were being general.
But, I don't think HE pitchers are more susceptible to backpain more than anyone else. I can assure you, I never threw a HE style pitch in my life. And 22 years or so of doing lessons, I've never had a student throw a HE style pitch either (except for the ones who saw a HE coach before me and we began the transformation). Anyway, I've had students that I have trained since day 1 have back pain. They didn't use HE techniques.
The most common backpain for pitchers is, lower left side for a RHP, lower right side for LHP.
While softball pitching didn't help my overall condition, I have seen an untold number of back specialists over the years. In fact, I am probably responsible for the new wing on my chiropractor's house due to all my visits! Eventually, I ended up needing shots for pain control which I still get to this day. Obtaining pain meds is becoming impossible due to the "opioid crisis". And I don't put that in quotes because I think it's phony or stupid. There's no question that doctors were over prescribing pain meds. But, there are people still in need of them to function who are legitimate pain. The pendulum has swung so far the other way now from over prescribing to not being able to get any pain killers. THIS is why there's an opioid crisis!! We go from giving people pain meds so they can still work and function, then cut them off completely. No wonder so many people have gone to heroin. They have no choice when the doctors aren't allowed to give them meds but their pain is still there. Anyway, off that soapbox.
I would agree that shoulder pain can be a result of HE mechanics in many cases. But not all. However, I think the backpain happens to pitchers who live in cold weather states more than the warm weather places. Please spare me the emails about how your daughter has back pain and you live in Florida. I am speaking in generalities, this is not 100% true across the board. But the majority happen in colder places because we have to pitch inside 5, 6, sometimes 7 months a year due to weather. Not only is that a disadvantage from the start because these kids usually have a harder time learning the leg drive, push from the rubber because there's nothing to push from. Even if you have a matt, with a pitching rubber on it, the mat is still on a gym floor so there's no holes that can be used like there would be outside to push from. But the problem comes from the landing. Pitchers constantly landing on a hardwood or concrete floor puts a ton of pressure on the body. Lower back and stride leg knee are often the 2 most common injuries for cold weather pitchers.
I think we agree 99%. (Well, maybe 97% ?.)
Hard surfaces, even with rubber mats are definitely an issue. Unfortunately we’re on something like this 4 out of 5 days per week. We’re getting a remodel at one of the facilities with very nice turf which will be awesome!
It seems like those who are taught HE often have less than good posture at release and during outer initial assessment questions, there are a surprising number who report the lower back pain you described. Same with shoulder pain.
In all but a handful of cases, the reports of lower back and shoulder pain improve with better posture and whip with brush.
Hard surfaces, even with rubber mats are definitely an issue. Unfortunately we’re on something like this 4 out of 5 days per week. We’re getting a remodel at one of the facilities with very nice turf which will be awesome!
It seems like those who are taught HE often have less than good posture at release and during outer initial assessment questions, there are a surprising number who report the lower back pain you described. Same with shoulder pain.
In all but a handful of cases, the reports of lower back and shoulder pain improve with better posture and whip with brush.
Last edited:
