Follow
Donate to HeyBucket.com - Amount:

Welcome Anonymous !

Your Fastpitch Softball Bible
 

CA

Leap and drag

by C77fastpitch » Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:09 pm

We need more research relating to the leap and drag method of pitching and possible knee damage. I believe common sense and experience would indicate there is a relationship. I know there are people who have pitched years using the leap method of pitching and never suffered knee damage, however I believe these people are the minority. So the question is, if it should be taught, or when and how it should be taught? I've seen coaches marking lines to indicate how far their 10u pitchers are jumping off the rubber. My question is, is this safe?
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

by C77fastpitch » Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:57 am

Safe? We know it's legal. I was talking to an orthopedic specialist about this issue, because my young daughter is pitching. His thinking was that after a period time, the constant jumping and landing couldn't help but cause some type of problem with the knees or hips or combination of the two. No one has a crystal ball, but common sense would indicate the forces of body weight landing on the knees over a period of time could and would most likely lead to some problems. Now, it's up to me to decide whether I want my daughter to pitch at all, or whether there are safer but effective ways to continue. To me it's a decision I don't take lightly. My daughter is pitching 10u travel ball, is young for her team but pitches very well. However, she is already having problems with her knees, hips and back.
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

by Hinky » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:55 am

"Quote C77- jumping off the rubber"
from your description it sounds like your daughter is being taught to crow hop.
that is illegal in WFP.
Right handed? So right foot drags off the rubber or comes
up & off?
who are you taking your dd to for pitching lessons currently?
Hinky
 
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:48 am

by C77fastpitch » Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:45 pm

She is dragging her back foot, however her front foot is up and landing hard. She looks good and is throwing hard, but her front or leading leg's knee is giving her problems. She is being taught by a college pitching coach, God knows she won't listen to mom, however, the coach is only available when she has time.
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

by Hinky » Wed May 02, 2018 6:35 am

C77-quote said
"we need more research"
plenty of research available
it is 'kinesiology' the study of the mechanics of the body.
PhD and master's degrees available. If you're concerned about the mechanics, suggest speak to one of these professionals.

muscle strengthening helps take impact off bones and joints of the body.

Good luck to your dd pitching!
Hinky
 
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:48 am

by C77fastpitch » Mon May 07, 2018 10:26 pm

The impact to the knee joint has never really been researched. However, common sense would indicate that such impacts would probably cause future significant damage. Most team sports regardless of safety measures more than likely have some impact on joint damage. So, the question really is, how safe can I make it? How far, how high, and how long can a pitcher continue to jump before their knees start aching from overused injuries. Secondly, how significantly effective is the long leap. Can a pitcher leap safer, not as high or long and still be effective. My contention is that it is not only possible but probable. The extra speed gained, if any, by the long and high leap, is not worth the extra damage to the knee joint. Pitchers can be safer, and just as effective with a less than all out leap and drag.

Not all pitchers that practice the long leap and drag, over a period of years, suffer from knee damage. However, most of them do!
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

by Hinky » Tue May 08, 2018 6:50 am

C77
you are speaking about your daughter right?
your post says 'you assume' most pitchers who are doing the long leap pitching are injuring they're knee. 'You are assuming' that and still taking your daughter to do something
'you assume' is going to hurt her.
Hmmmm...? why not just take her to a different instructor with other mechanics?
To find a solution...
There are other possible reasons then just to assume the mechanics are at fault. could assume your daughter isn't doing mechanics correctly. could say she's not Landing with her leg correctly. could say she's is weak and so her knee joint keeps taking the brunt of the force. could say she's Landing with her foot wrong and twisting her leg awkwardly. Could assume all sorts of things before suggesting the mechanics are bad.

Kinesiology has studied the knee joint extensively!!!! Resource Sports trainers at Speed and Agility facilities
certified instructors many have degrees in this to help athletes.
Here's another posibility.
have you ever heard of hypermobility? also known as double jointedness! this describes joints that stretch farther than normal. hypermobility occurs at different degrees. Slight to extensive.
& affects roughly 20% of the population.
people can stretch their thumb all the way back to their wrist or their knees can flex backwards! could be an instable joint to begin with. Google it you will see the symptoms are very similar to an injury, sprain with tendonitis and bursitis.
growth plates are also a possibility while they are open at times during growth spurts.
again if you are not doing muscle-strengthening you are leaving the joint to take the brunt of impact without
support.
Hinky
 
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:48 am

by C77fastpitch » Sat May 12, 2018 12:00 am

The science of body movement or kinesiology has certainly been around for awhile. However, its relationship to knee damage caused by the leap and drag style of softball pitching is less understood. Again, you don't have to be scientist to guess that a softball pitcher jumping from the rubber and landing on her feet would double the body weight and force on the knee joint. This would probably over a period of time cause a certain amount of over used injuries. I can't believe you cant see that. As a parent of a budding pitcher, my job is to make sure her knees don't hurt and at the first sign of any injury, discuss this with our doctor. If it were up to me, i wouldn't have her pitch. Unfortunately, she is a very good at it and wants to continue. Such is the dilemma of a softball pitching mother. (My expertise is not in the medical field, but I do have access to those who are experts. However, I do have an open mind and will listen to thoughtful advice. I believe this forum is an excellent source of information, caring advice, and personal experience. So thanks for your intelligent inquire.

10u 5'4- speed 47mph , dropping fastball with good spin. Change up 38mph pitches on an elite travel team.
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

by Hinky » Sat May 12, 2018 6:30 am

:D. glad you're open-minded to see that there are multiple possibilities to look into.

big question so if you're so concerned about those particular mechanics why don't you just take her to a pitching instructor who teaches other mechanics?
she is only in 10U
Hinky
 
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:48 am

by C77fastpitch » Sat May 12, 2018 9:42 pm

Softball pitching is intrinsically unsafe regardless of the pitching coach. A good coach may help, however there is no substitute for being diligent when it comes to possible injuries, especially in the knee joint.
C77fastpitch
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 6:51 pm

Next

Return to CA