5 Things You Should Correct: In Order of Importance

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Listen here [Video 4:13]

During games do you ever look at your daughter and think, “That seems weird, but I’m not sure how to fix it”? Are you wondering why she can’t correct the things you both learned at Practice Pro? How long will it take for her to change?

The main reason I ask parents to come to lessons is about learning. They will learn how to work with their daughter as a teammate and a coach. First, you’ll need to catch a lot for your daughter, so you’ll both need to employ a lot of teamwork and encouragement. Second, you’re coming to lessons because you want to learn mechanics. I used to teach parents how to correct every single mistake their kid is making, but eventually learned to talk about which of the many mistakes are the most important to correct right now.

For those who haven’t been to lessons or if you just forgot, I’ll give you a sneak peak into the secrets of being a great instructor to your daughter. These are the top 5 errors I tell parents to correct in order of importance.

  1. Error - She has a bad arm circle.
    Correction - Tell her to make a huge arm-path, and not bend her arm. Relaxed is good, but not short, as it will slow her down. To learn a straight arm-path, do arm circle breakdowns and fake pitches into a mirror. Then she’ll get strikes all day!

  2. Error - She does not follow through
    Correction - A follow through, or deceleration must occur to prevent bicep. Plus, it keeps her release point quick.

  3. Error - She doesn’t pitch as hard as she can
    Correction - The only way to improve accuracy is have a repeatable motion. The easiest motion to repeat is a full effort one.

  4. Error - Pitching with open hips.
    Correction - Pitchers should close their hips quickly during the delivery. This causes her toe to drag forward. We call this the “banana” as it draws the shape of a banana in the dirt. Not only does this increase power, it protects the shoulder from pressure. Do you feel like she is not using her legs? She’s probably keeping her hips open.

  5. Error - Poor effort
    Correction - Don’t forget why girls play sports. They are learning life skills and having fun. Clearly state the amount of time you will practice pitching together and expect a full effort, not results, during that time. Games will show the results, as competitions are the report cards for practice.

And here’s a bonus! While you are worrying about the top 5 errors, do not worry about these things, at least for your first 10 weeks in between lessons.

  1. Foot placement on the mound - Brand new players are easily confused by a pre-motion because their arms are going the opposite way of the target. After a few months of lessons, foot placement becomes easy.

  2. A pre-motion - This is a weird concept for 7 or 8 year. In our Practice Pro beginner clinics, we start learning without a wind-up.

  3. Grip - If a pitcher isn’t sure which direction her arm circle goes (it’s backwards) getting the “edge” by placing her fingers on a .25” seam isn’t going to help her…yet.

  4. Strikes - You must understand that strikes come from the repetition of a repeatable motion. A strike is the result of practice and instruction. To expect results of this sort during the first 10 pitching practices, or 50 for that matter, can get discouraging. Instead, expect focus and effort.

Make one of your goals with pitching, “have fun.” As your daughter ages, the definition of what “fun” is will change, so make sure to include the current definition. Pitching is one of the only positions in all of sports where athletes need someone to help them practice multiple times a week. These practice catchers are usually parents. There is no better bonding than that! Have fun!