pitching problem

Question
hi my daughter has been having a problem with droping her shoulder and her hand looks like a rise ball(under on release)she is 12 yrs old and been clocked throwing 55.since her hand now comes under the ball her best velocity is 46.even the spin on the ball looks like a riser...

.                              help.....bob

Answer
Without actually seeing her pitch it's is difficult to pinpoint the exact problem however it sounds like she may be bending forward at the waist at release. This is common with young pitchers and a very hard habit to break because they are "placing" the ball instead of snapping the wrist.

She needs to keep her weight back and stand tall on release. One coaching tip is to remind her to stand tall and "keep her nose behind her toes" at release.

Watch her pitch and ask these KEY questions:

1) Is the pitcher standing upright through the motion with the center of gravity over the waist so the arm will be close to the leg when the ball is released? (leaning forward to start the pitch is OK)

2) Does the stride foot step toward the plate?

3) Is she NOT bending at the waist or stooping shoulders at release.

4) Is the ball being snapped instead of being aimed?

5) Is there an unforced and natural follow-through of the arm after the ball is released?


Work on good fundamentals  

(1) a good full body lean (not bending at the waist) to (2) get a good push off, and a (3) long powerful stride. (4) Open your body fully during the rotation. Then,
(5) 揷lose?hard by bringing your shoulders back so you are (6) tall and upright (not bending at the waist OR leaning to the side) at the release of the ball. At the release point, (7) keep your arm straight (not bent at the elbow) , and (8) for more power and control, keep the fingers behind the ball.

For some more good information visit the following link:

www.y-coach.com/speedpitch.html