Life in the Fastpitch Lane

Life in the Fastpitch Lane

Thoughts, ideas, tips, and general musings on the game of fastpitch softball.

Girls throw like their fathers

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 3:12 PM and is filed under Parents, Throwing, General Thoughts.

This is more of an observation than anything else. But teaching as many pitching lessons as I do, I've had occasion to watch a lot of girls play catch with their fathers. And it's amazing how closely the throwing mechanics of the daughter reflect those of her father.

If Dad stands face-forward and pushes the ball, so does his daughter. If Dad wraps his arm around his head when he throws, so does his daughter.

I don't seem to recall that so much with boys. Not sure why — maybe boys receive more training at an early age, or perhaps they just spend more time throwing on their own. It's my firm belief that to a boy, duck+rock=throwing practice. A girl would never draw the same conclusion.

In any case, whatever the reason, step back and watch sometime. You'll see I'm right.

For those of you who are fathers, definitely keep that in mind. However you throw is how your daughter is likely to throw. So if you want your daughter to succeed, work on your own throw first. It could help shortcut her path to being the player she wants and needs to be.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:24 PM Shira wrote:
"duck+rock=throwing practice"
This made me laugh!

One question though. Why don't girls throw like their mothers? When I have a daughter I sure hope she throws like me because if she throws like my husband her softball career won't last very long.
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010 11:32 PM Ken Krause wrote:
Good question, Shira. I think it's a matter of how much time the girls spend with their fathers working on their games. In most cases Moms are more substitutes than leads in their daughters' softball educations, although I certainly know some excellent exceptions.

Maybe you'll be the start of a new trend! Teach her right and give her a real leg up in the softball world.
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Monday, March 29, 2010 8:18 PM Chris wrote:
I'll agree to your comment, but please follow up. I understand the concept of thumbs to thumbs for catching above the waste and pinkys to pinkys below the waist. BUT what about the proper stance, before the ball is thrown, squared up or glove foot slightly forward? and how do you teach a girl not to line up her head with the ball so if she misses the ball she doesnt take one on the nose. If you teach her to move her feet to recieve the ball on her throwing arm side. I notice hers (and mine) glove wants to lay sideways like you said. Please respond because I cant live with the fact she could possibly blame me the rest of her life for catching like her father.
(ha ha!) Thanks.
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1. Wednesday, March 31, 2010 5:22 PM Ken Krause wrote:
  I think you have the basic idea. Keep the hands at chest level to start, and get into an athletic stance. Having the throwing side foot back a little is good, although not required.
  
  For the glove up or down, I like them to keep the fingers up as much as they can. For younger players I use a rainbow as a visual -- draw the rainbow in the air, and continue to do as the glove comes lower. Remind them also that they can squat to get lower, keeping the glove up longer. Fingers to the sky prevents a ball from bouncing off the heel of the glove and into their face.
  
  I like two hands as long as they don't have to reach for the ball. After that, you get more range using one hand. So if it's high, below the knees, wide left or right, forget that second hand. Catch it first, throw it second.
  
  If the glove is laying down on its own, maybe it's too heavy. Try turning the wrist in a little more. Hope that helps.
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