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[GoldElite]

This was my favorite slapperdad post.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65760&p=376889#p376889

My DD switched to lefty in the fall of 2013. I printed this out and read it to her...I wanted to make sure you 'took it in'.

She has had a great transition. And this story helped. I think I'll print this again for her to read this weekend.

[Magic01]

This post reached classic status. Thanks C77 for pulling heybucket out of the doldrums.

[eclipse09]

Pdad and Gold Elite, Your both are true imbecilic slubberdegullions. Are you two cornpones softball experts, or did you guys stay at a Holiday Inn last night? Which ever, I'm sure you knowledge of softball is second to none, NOT! Pdad Your dad listen to Less Brown, didn't he play for the Pacers? I'm sure those pitching lessons your paying for are worth every penny your wasting.

Trolling, Trolling, Trolling...keep those parents trolling....buckethide!!!

Sorry C77 you are trolling up the wrong tree!!

[fastpitchdad05]

Pdad and Gold Elite, Your both are true imbecilic slubberdegullions. Are you two cornpones softball experts, or did you guys stay at a Holiday Inn last night? Which ever, I'm sure you knowledge of softball is second to none, NOT! Pdad Your dad listen to Less Brown, didn't he play for the Pacers? I'm sure those pitching lessons your paying for are worth every penny your wasting.

Drinking and posting...a dangerous combination.

[Cannonball]

C77. I will make a serious post in response to your OP. While those newer resources are out there, The buyer or reader is not assured that they truly understand the positions being presented. For example, in hitting, the term "connection" means different things to different people and yet, you would be able to find 5 or 6 different gurus using the term. If you don't have someone like a private instructor available, who know whether you know which way that term was meant in that DVD, online resource ... Then, some confuse it even more by trying to define "dynamic connection" and "connection." If you are discussing pitching, are you a "hello elbow" person or an IR person? Do you know the difference? You can find countless videos and DVD on both and yet, guess wrong and you might ruin your dd's career.

I have coached at a pretty high level for a very long time and have coached internationally. I give private instruction as well. Am I the end all for instruction? NOPE. However, with the use of technology such as video cameras, an RVP Program for analysis, ... I can effectively communicate to my students what I think they need to work on as well as create a video folder to measure that improvement. Can a parent do that? I'm sure some can and equally sure some can't. Some can't simply because their dd needs the separation of roles for parent and coach.

This is my opinion and, to be honest, my opinion and roughly $7 will get you an extra value meal at Micky D's.

Edited to add:

Some people know that last year my last student graduated from HS and I no longer give lessons. I'm older now. I made a fortune giving private lessons. My typical price for a 30 minute lessons was $0. LOL

[jtat32]

I have never said, nor do I believe that technology will take the place of good coaching.

Actually, that's pretty much exactly what you said in your OP:

Lets face it, there are hundreds of videos, books, computer programs ect. teaching the skills needed to pitch or hit properly in softball. One only has to buy a few of these, practice hard, and have a desire to improve, and learn what they need to know to become better players. These programs are usually taught by the very best in the business and you have them to resource back to when your practicing. The best any private coach can do is inspire!.

That said, there are aspects to your argument that I agree with:

- A good instructional DVD is much more helpful than bad personal coaching.

- There are a lot of unqualified people giving personal lessons.

With regard to technology, there are a couple of other huge benefits that I would add:

- It is extremely useful to study video of good players to see what they are actually doing, as opposed to what anyone says they are doing.

- It is also extremely useful to watch video of yourself to see what you are actually doing as opposed to what you think you are doing. Especially now that you can record high quality slow motion video on devices such as the newer iPhones and iPads and see intricate high speed motions in good detail. If you really know what to look for, this is extremely helpful.

At the same time, there are some major issues with your premise:

- There are some excellent materials out there, and there is also a lot of crap. You mentioned Michelle Smith as someone to go to - I think I've seen some good stuff from her on various topics, but this particular discussion of hers on hitting (for example) is crap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4YKYl9pJA

- Parents looking to get started don't know enough to separate the good material from the bad.

- Even the best instructors can't pass on all of their insight in their material.

- Learning what you should do from a good video is one thing, diagnosing and correcting flaws is another.

Technology is a good thing, but it requires some insight and experience to use it correctly.

[Cannonball]

C77, if you are suggesting that parents become aware of some basics, then yes, getting some of these DVDs etc. is a good start. However, the problem is which one and are they up to date with the latest information. In baseball, Tom House had a great pitching series he sold for a very long time. Yet, in a recent interview on national TV and with a discussion on arm injuries to pitchers, he commented that he wished he had known then what he knows now about various mechanics. Instruction is ever evolving. One "hitting guru" and big in the softball world used to sell DVDs but has now supplemented that with on line streaming and the ability, I believe, to video a player and send video in for analysis. Is this cost effective? I just don't know.

I agree that there are people giving lessons that are ripping customers and players off. I think most would also agree. My advice then is to go sit on a lesson or two for others if the instructor will allow it and then see if they will give your child a lesson before you commit to them. Also, sites such as this and others can serve as ways to gain information so that the parent knows the right questions to ask prior to the commitment to lessons from a private instructor.

Finally, the level of achievement of those giving lessons in no way guarantees that they know what they are talking about.

[fastpitchdad05]

Yes, I agree with many things you said. However, the people I mentioned on the tapes are some of the best in the game, this year, next year, and forever! I wouldn't trust Mr House's instruction anymore!!

If you feel you Tom House's instruction can no longer be trusted then how can you be so sure that the tapes you talk about will be good "forever"?

[jtat32]

I'm certainly not a hitting guru, so don't take my following questions as being argumentative, C77.

Given that we also have the technology to access videos of many swings by many good hitters, can you provide a link that demonstrates Michele Smith's notion that hitters put all of their weight on their back leg and rotate around their back leg? Does the swing she demonstrates look like a good one? Is the result she get's the results hitters should be striving for?

I'm not trying to start a hitting discussion here. I just think that this is a fairly obvious example of an instructor's description of an action not matching what is seen when watching the action performed by elite players. Using technology to study the actual movements of elite players is the most powerful use of technology, IMHO.

[fastpitchdad05]

I applaud the fact that you do not accept any instruction at face value. I see your point, and don't understand what coach Smith is trying to say. Although I deeply respect Michele Smith and her coaching expertise, I have disagreed with her on some minor points before. Generally speaking her coaching is of the highest standard. I think Rick Pauley is one of the finest coaches in the country, but this doesn't mean I won't disagree with him on some issues, and it's not worth buying is instructinal DVD's. No one is perfect, not me, not you, on one, however some are a lot closer than others.

Any response to my question?