softball tips

Question
Mike,
Thank you for your response to my previous question. I think I need to clarify. I know that pitching and first base are not handicaps for LH people, in fact they are great places for them. Your answer did help us understand the reasons why 1st is an ideal place for a lefty,and reinforced the stretch and getting off the bag to get a bad throw. I would still like your input on the pitching, throwing and baserunning, however. As a LH pitcher, would her form be the same as a RH? Meaning, the way she starts, the step off the rubber, etc. Also, on base-running, would the way a RH steps off the bag be the way she should, too? Sometimes she wants to take off with the other foot, and sometimes wants to slide on the opposite side as the others, too. Are these natural movements for a LH, should I let her do it "her" way, or continue to teach her the way everyone else does it?

Answer
Hello Kelli,

The pitching would be identical to a right hander only a mirrored image of it.  She would obviously be pivoting off the left foot and stepping with the right foot.  Her left foot would be her drag foot and she would obviously open up toward first instead of third during her "leap".  I don't tell the girls to start there run from a particular foot when base-running.  Runners in a sprint aren't confined to a particular foot out of the starting blocks, and neither should base runners.  Whatever is comfortable.  Some like the right front out front so that the runner can see home better from first.  Obviously if your runner is getting a lead off the bag as she should, she isn't going to be in her starting position when the ball crosses the plate, so this argument is invalid.  The same is true for sliding.  Allow her to slide with whichever foot that feels most comfortable going into the bag first.  If she is hesitant about sliding because it feels abnormal, she runs the risk of rolling an ankle and seriously injuring herself.  As she advances and learns to hook slide it will become relevant as to which foot she slides on, but for now, whatever feels normal is a good rule of thumb.  Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Coach Mike