Tincher Pitching: Laurie Mumma

What a great role model!

We always tell students that building proper strength and stability does more than help with speed. It creates dynamic moving pitches. Here is a case in point.... Kylee works with Maureen, one of our Certified Instructors in New Jersey. In the first picture, you can see how stable she is, how it leads naturally into the "elbow slot', which causes the arm to explosively whip the ball off the fingertips. In the second pic, we really see what I mean by the hips controlling everything. You will notice the strong, stable landing forces cause the hand to whip around the hip and the ball for a dynamic curve...far faster spin due to hip action than if she ever tried to use a shoulder or elbow to create spin. Then, she is solid and stable at the landing. She is under control, balanced, and used minimal energy to create a lot of force. If you are working too hard and just not seeing the results, talk to one of our Certified Instructors. If you are a former college pitcher who wants to make a difference, get in touch and let's talk about ways we can help you with our Certification Program. #tincherpitching #tinchermade @highlevelpitching @ruggedsoftball @wassermanstrength @highlevelthrowinghlt

"My change-up is not very good". This is probably the single biggest issue we hear. This week we are talking about simplicity in pitching. In this video, the... very young pitcher was taught to make it far too complex. She described what she has learned as something like this: Turn the hand at the bottom, roll it over the ball, pull the hand back, etc. It confused me, so I may not have quoted her correctly. As she viewed the video, she realized that most of the things she had learned were happening after the pitch was gone. She could not easily turn the hand at the bottom quarter of the circle, stop the elbow while rolling the hand over and pulling back, or whatever she had been told to do. All of those instructions were making her tight and mechanical. The solution: The hand is already turning at the right time, so just focus on staying in the hips and let the arm go so you are not telegraphing the pitch, and so that the sudden deceleration of the hand does not decelerate the hips causing the ball to fly uncontrollably. Wow, that is a lot to say. Basically, take the simple route. It is far easier to perform, to replicate, it stays consistent with your fastball form, it does not "tip" the batter, and it does not wear you out so much. The changeup in the second video...perfect and perfectly easy. I love to work with kids who adjust so easily. #TincherPitching #TincherMade High Level Pitching High Level Throwing Rugged Softball- Tincher Pitching Northwest Ohio WassermanStrength

Continuing the discussion on the changeup, today we talk about pace. Too many pitchers want to slow the delivery to slow the ball. That creates two problems. ... It tells the batter exactly what is coming. And, it usually causes the pitcher to have to push the ball with the shoulder in order to try to get it to the plate, which results in a ball way too high or low. As soon as this young pitcher saw the first video, with the back leg stuck in the ground, on the very next pitch the legs were getting into the pitch and the ball was right at the knees of a batter. I often put a great hitter off to the side making sure she cannot see the catcher's signals. Then, we have the catcher show the fastball or changeup sign, asking that hitter to shout "fastball" or changeup within 6 feet of it leaving the pitcher's hand. Try it. If she wins this game, you lose on the mound. Beat her, and you can beat any hitter you face.