Thanks Phil. Thanks for taking the time to break down the mechanics of pitching. I wish we were a little (lot) closer, I’d love to see my daughter get some lessons with your company.
As a guy who pitched off the bump for 20+ years, when I switched to softball I naturally whipped it this way to generate velocity and the other coaches and girls were telling me I wasn’t doing it right. Honestly, being confused on how I could generate so much velocity and spin could be wrong (thinking maybe I’m going to damage my elbow) brought me here. I feel vindicated, thank you! 😅
Pretty amazing - I went to a pitching clinic when I was 14 and was never taught this... I was left to pitch exactly like you said never creates any power. I had originally played baseball and could throw harder than my peers and pitch faster than others my age... I switched to softball wanting to be a pitcher, but could never get it over the plate with any amount of power or speed. Can you believe nobody ever told me what you just shared? Literally... not my coaches nor the people running the pitching clinic. They let us pitch like crap and my coach wanted me to try pitching in a game and didn't understand how I couldn't get any power underhanded lol apparently this is standard that people don't teach what you shared here... I'm not the only one who struggled!!
Just recently started working with my 10 y/o daughter on this transition. Started off with “Hello Elbow” then learned about this, which they call it Internal Rotation. I also noticed that she was doing the whole “leaning forward” and was able to get her to not do it as much. We have a long way to go with her to get the mechanics more consistent, but I will say in 1 year’s time, she went from rainbow dropping the pitch into the strike zone to much more flat fastball-type pitches.
I love watching y’alls videos.. I learn so much and I’ve improved so much by these videos. I also have a question. I went to a pitching clinic over the winter and the person who was teaching said to slow my pitching down at the beginning (my windup) and then once the hand gets just behind my head to speed it up.. is that correct?
Hi Alayna. I think it's fine to have a slow, smooth and relaxed pre-motion, but the whole arm circle itself should be fast and continuous without pausing or slowing down and then speeding up!
I see you thinking. and I agree with your method, but I have never seen anyone teach pushing the ball that you indicate at the 2:14 mark. The only reason it looks like that is because these girls are 5 and 6 years old and are learning the proper mechanics.
Choking the chicken?..nooooo!!..lol!!. Remember muscle memory is a real thing..develop correct pitching form and mechanics, so you can pitch a whole game without injuring your shoulder...speed and power will come. The other day, my daughter's mouth 😯 cos I can still field a fast ground ball and I haven't played SB in 30 years...muscle memory!!..I got my point across to her..lol. Develop good habits from the start.
What you are demonstrating and calling “slingshot” as what young pitchers are often taught to do is really not “Slingshot” which is an older but legitimate softball pitch. What you demonstrate is a “rocker-style” pitch. What you say about the windmill pitch is right and true. But you shouldn’t disparage an older style of pitching. It is true that the slingshot style is seldom used today, but calling what 7-9 year olds are taught “slingshot” is highly inaccurate. It is a rocker style.
Thanks Phil. Thanks for taking the time to break down the mechanics of pitching. I wish we were a little (lot) closer, I’d love to see my daughter get some lessons with your company.
As a guy who pitched off the bump for 20+ years, when I switched to softball I naturally whipped it this way to generate velocity and the other coaches and girls were telling me I wasn’t doing it right. Honestly, being confused on how I could generate so much velocity and spin could be wrong (thinking maybe I’m going to damage my elbow) brought me here. I feel vindicated, thank you! 😅
Pretty amazing - I went to a pitching clinic when I was 14 and was never taught this... I was left to pitch exactly like you said never creates any power. I had originally played baseball and could throw harder than my peers and pitch faster than others my age... I switched to softball wanting to be a pitcher, but could never get it over the plate with any amount of power or speed. Can you believe nobody ever told me what you just shared? Literally... not my coaches nor the people running the pitching clinic. They let us pitch like crap and my coach wanted me to try pitching in a game and didn't understand how I couldn't get any power underhanded lol apparently this is standard that people don't teach what you shared here... I'm not the only one who struggled!!
Just recently started working with my 10 y/o daughter on this transition. Started off with “Hello Elbow” then learned about this, which they call it Internal Rotation. I also noticed that she was doing the whole “leaning forward” and was able to get her to not do it as much. We have a long way to go with her to get the mechanics more consistent, but I will say in 1 year’s time, she went from rainbow dropping the pitch into the strike zone to much more flat fastball-type pitches.
Love to hear this!
Thank you so much coach bill for the awesome lesson on Windmill pitching I like the release Zone quote
I love watching y’alls videos.. I learn so much and I’ve improved so much by these videos. I also have a question. I went to a pitching clinic over the winter and the person who was teaching said to slow my pitching down at the beginning (my windup) and then once the hand gets just behind my head to speed it up.. is that correct?
Hi Alayna. I think it's fine to have a slow, smooth and relaxed pre-motion, but the whole arm circle itself should be fast and continuous without pausing or slowing down and then speeding up!
Thank you!
I see you thinking. and I agree with your method, but I have never seen anyone teach pushing the ball that you indicate at the 2:14 mark. The only reason it looks like that is because these girls are 5 and 6 years old and are learning the proper mechanics.
Choking the chicken?..nooooo!!..lol!!. Remember muscle memory is a real thing..develop correct pitching form and mechanics, so you can pitch a whole game without injuring your shoulder...speed and power will come. The other day, my daughter's mouth 😯 cos I can still field a fast ground ball and I haven't played SB in 30 years...muscle memory!!..I got my point across to her..lol. Develop good habits from the start.
What you are demonstrating and calling “slingshot” as what young pitchers are often taught to do is really not “Slingshot” which is an older but legitimate softball pitch. What you demonstrate is a “rocker-style” pitch. What you say about the windmill pitch is right and true. But you shouldn’t disparage an older style of pitching. It is true that the slingshot style is seldom used today, but calling what 7-9 year olds are taught “slingshot” is highly inaccurate. It is a rocker style.