9 Comments

  1. John Vickers on November 30, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    No video for : Back to basics in the offseason with reach, track, fire?

    No video showing for this topic?



  2. Jason Grudzien on December 18, 2013 at 7:54 AM

    Do you have any drills to improve the track of the glove hand during the pitching motion? My daughter has a good throw zone and has been pitching well for multiple years but we have had a bit of an issue with her keeping her glove hand on line.

    Thanks,

    Jason



    • Phil on December 19, 2013 at 8:51 AM

      Jason:
      Wall drills (see prior post) are an excellent way to receive instant feedback on glove position and hand path. These drills can be performed with either the pitching hand side or the glove hand side within and inch or two of a wall, fence, or net. Any drifting of the glove hand away from the target line/power line will result in premature body rotation and either the ball or hand (if your pitching hand side is up against the wall) or the glove (if your glove hand side is up against the wall) hitting the wall. You did not mention how old your daughter is or at what level she plays. It is important to remember, however, that the likelihood of structural deficiencies in the pitcher’s body development is fairly great in developing athletes. Maintaining proper glove hand position throughout the setup and delivery is crucial for consistent speed and command. But in addition to the development of solid mechanics appropriate, strength and conditioning is also essential. I hope this has been helpful. Good luck.
      Phil



  3. John on January 13, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    Hello Phil – love your video blogs. They have helped my 12 year old. One thing I’m confused on. I don’t get this “power forward position” on your drive leg as you progress through the drive/stride. It seems you are doing the one thing that is almost a universal ‘taboo’ in the fastpitch pitching instruction industry, and that is closing your hip before your arm is through the throw zone.

    When you drag your toe on top, rather than on the topside, your hip closes on your throwing arm. How is that good?

    Confused Father in PA –

    Thanks.

    john patton



    • Phil on January 13, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      John – great question. Suffice it to say that you are absolutely correct. Premature hip rotation to bring the drive foot through is a very significant and, unfortunately, common mechanical flaw, especially in developing pitchers. “Power-Forward” position requires a strong core and trunk, especially glutes and hip flexors. These are generally areas of weakness in young athletes. Although it may appear as though the hip will close as a result of “power-forward” drive foot position, the exact opposite is true in the physically conditioned pitcher. I will address this further in my next post. Tune in, and let me know if it clears up the confusion.



  4. jereme on August 9, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    Hey. Thanks for posting this. I have a question…my daughter who’s 10 has been pitching a little over 2 years. She has been taking lessons with one of the older teams coaches. The drill makes sense, however, my daughter is being taught to follow through with her arm coming up (i.e. it looks like shes finishing making a bicep curl). Watching this it’s like the exact opposite of what our pitchers are being taught. Could you maybe explain the differences between the 2 and if what she’s being taught is incorrect? Thank you…



    • Jill on August 9, 2018 at 7:47 PM

      Hi Jereme!
      The method your daughter is being taught is usually called “elbow snap” or “hello elbow.” While I don’t have any definitive right to say that it, or any other pitching style is “wrong,” I can tell you that it is not the optimal way to deliver a pitch with maximum speed and command. We have many earlier videos explaining why forearm fire (what you see in our videos) is the optimal way to pitch. Here is the link to one of our earliest videos explaining the difference between forearm fire and elbow snap:

      https://www.fastpitchpower.com/windmill-pitching-release-forearm-fire/

      I hope this is helpful to you! And if you have any other questions or are still wanting to know more, please feel free to email me at jill@fastpitchpower.com and I can clear up any other questions you have!



    • Jill on August 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM

      This most recent post might also be very helpful to you! It goes even further into the benefits of forearm fire.

      https://www.fastpitchpower.com/forearm-fire-old-men/

      Let me know if you have any other questions