7U's Pitching Help

[Three A's baseball]

I am going to coach the 7U travel team this year and I was wondering if someone could give me some help on instructing kids who have probably never pitched before.

Pitching from 40 Feet. Can only pitch 3 innings and there is a cap on 6 runs per inning.

[Jake Patterson]

I am going to coach the 7U travel team this year and I was wondering if someone could give me some help on instructing kids who have probably never pitched before.

Pitching from 40 Feet. Can only pitch 3 innings and there is a cap on 6 runs per inning.


Pitching at 6 and 7 is too young, but I will save that discussion for another thread (We have beat this to death, so if you are interested go back and read some old threads - Would also suggest you read Dr. Mike Marshall's Thesis on pre-pubescent pitchers).

With that being said the common problem I see at this age group are coaches trying to teach pitching to players that do not know how to throw properly. The activity of playing catch can be the most important item we teach the younger players and few coaches spend the appropriate time on this activity.

Items such as:
1. Proper take back and front arm point
2. Ball shown to short
3. Elbow up
4. follow through to the opposite pocket
5. Hip rotation, follow through and toe plant
6. Etc.

Are all essential to throwing and pitching. They first must master how to play catch. Everything from there gets easier.

Personally - organizations who support TB at this age are not doing the right thing.

[Chris O'Leary]

Pitching at 6 and 7 is too young...With that being said the common problem I see at this age group are coaches trying to teach pitching to players that do not know how to throw properly. The activity of playing catch can be the most important item we teach the younger players and few coaches spend the appropriate time on this activity...They first must master how to play catch. Everything from there gets easier...Personally - organizations who support TB at this age are not doing the right thing.

I agree with all of this.

If you are interested, here is how I teach kids to throw...

- Sideways, Swing, Step, and Throw (http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/RethinkingPitching/Essays/SidewaysSwingStepAndThrow.html)

[pauliedanger]

The only advice I can give as a former umpire:

Patience.

Don't get mad when your pitcher bounces up a dozen or so pitches in a row. And don't blame blue when he calls them balls. It's unfair to the batter to go nose to toes because the pitcher can't shoot the glove.

Stress proper mechanics.

If any of these kids do end up playing at higher levels, a good foundation of fundamentals can go a long way. I was a catcher, and still remember the advice the players at Swarthmore College gave to the pitchers in my 12&u baseball camp.

But most importantly. Make sure the kids are having fun.

The worst coach I ever came across was this jerk who was running 14&u girls through some insane set of drills in pregame. He came from the Bobby Knight school of Jackassery.

[TG Coach]

I am going to coach the 7U travel team this year and I was wondering if someone could give me some help on instructing kids who have probably never pitched before.

Pitching from 40 Feet. Can only pitch 3 innings and there is a cap on 6 runs per inning.


What is the purpose for having a 7U travel team?

[Three A's baseball]

What is the purpose?

Our town has had it for a long time. It seems to go very well each year. The 1st and 2nd gradeers rec program is with a pitching machine and I guess this gives them a little better sense of the game.

It is comprised of 6 other towns. Regular season record does not mean anything and then 4th of july everyon plays in a tournament.

Kids seem to love it so I guess the main purpose is too have fun!!

My first year doing it so I hope I am right.

[Jake Patterson]

What is the purpose?

Our town has had it for a long time. It seems to go very well each year. The 1st and 2nd gradeers rec program is with a pitching machine and I guess this gives them a little better sense of the game.

It is comprised of 6 other towns. Regular season record does not mean anything and then 4th of july everyon plays in a tournament.

Kids seem to love it so I guess the main purpose is too have fun!!

My first year doing it so I hope I am right.

The problem comes when parents and coaches who are unable to help themselves make winning the priority. This WILL inevitably happen. From there the digression begins.

Here's an article:22556

[Three A's baseball]

The only thing I disagree with on your chart is the 5-12 year olds understanding of winning an losing.

I think that has come and gone with at least this generation.

Kids have a greater awareness of winning then ever before.

[deaconspoint]

The only thing I disagree with on your chart is the 5-12 year olds understanding of winning an losing.

I think that has come and gone with at least this generation.

Kids have a greater awareness of winning then ever before.

How do they come by this understanding and awareness?

I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Just asking a question.

According to that chart pro ball players are not having fun!!

[Jake Patterson]

The only thing I disagree with on your chart is the 5-12 year olds understanding of winning an losing.

I think that has come and gone with at least this generation.

Kids have a greater awareness of winning then ever before.

And why do you think that is? Their awarness is directly proportional to what their parents and coaches expect.
The drive toward Diaper Ball has distorted what we can teach our children through youth athletics.

[Jake Patterson]

According to that chart pro ball players are not having fun!!

The pros have a great deal of fun when things are going well. Ask a pro who's livelyhood is on the line how much fun he is having. The stress and anxiety during those momments of their career far surpass other professions because of their limited post-career options.

The enjoyment they get from the game should not be confused with the pressures they have in transforming it into a living for themselves and their families.

[Three A's baseball]

Kids today, their exposure to video games, Sportscenter (which teaches you can watch a whole game in 2 min) and overall technology has increased the velocity in which they grow up.

I am sure some coaches out there at a young level win at all cost mentality but there are also alot of coaches who do the right thing.

I don't think you can pin it on one thing. My son makes a competitive game out of everything and I am not one of those crazy coaches.

[yuniesky4prez]

You can say, Oh yeah we dont keep score at our youth games. But kids can count.

I think people just like to win especially kids because they put eachother down so much.

[Jake Patterson]

Kids today, their exposure to video games, Sportscenter (which teaches you can watch a whole game in 2 min) and overall technology has increased the velocity in which they grow up.

I respectfully disagree with you here. This topic is often discussed in sociological groups and I would argue the other way. Our instant gratification mentality, our nanny laws, our coddling of youngsters, and in terms of baseball - Mommy ball, daddy ball and now diaper ball have the opposite effect. Kids do little for themselves now slowing the maturation process not accelerating it. One only needs to compare today's youth to the youth of the mid 1800's to see the difference.

[TG Coach]

I respectfully disagree with you here. This topic is often discussed in sociological groups and I would argue the other way. Our instant gratification mentality, our nanny laws, our coddling of youngsters, and in terms of baseball - Mommy ball, daddy ball and now diaper ball have the opposite effect. Kids do little for themselves now slowing the maturation process not accelerating it. One only needs to compare today's youth to the youth of the mid 1800's to see the difference.

The new term is helicopter parents. Parents hover over their kids, make most of the decisions and pave the way for their success. These parents are now interceding in high school and collegiate academics and sports, and believe it or not in their young adult child's first post college workplace.

I wouldn't consider interceding on behalf of my kids over a grade. I'll send them in to fight their own battle if they complain. So what if they lose. It's part of growing up and maturing.

[Three A's baseball]

There are 2 schools of thought with kids and sports and that is (1) the fear that they are going to be pushed into a competetive enviornment that is not healthy and then (2) that they are going to be babied and not mature "fast enough" or whatever.

I think as 7-8 year olds there is nothing wrong with winning a losing. Somtimes you win and sometimes you loose. Unless you are a insane parent what the heck is wrong with that.

Next your going to tell me that Imus should be fired.....

[Jake Patterson]

There are 2 schools of thought with kids and sports and that is (1) the fear that they are going to be pushed into a competetive enviornment that is not healthy and then (2) that they are going to be babied and not mature "fast enough" or whatever.

I think as 7-8 year olds there is nothing wrong with winning a losing. Somtimes you win and sometimes you loose. Unless you are a insane parent what the heck is wrong with that.

Next your going to tell me that Imus should be fired.....

The problem is parent's living their lives through their children. TB is full of parents who feel little Johnny is the next best thing to baseball and establish teams to support that. They lose focus on what they should be doing and substitute their own involvement in their child's development as always healthy development. While this may be true to a degree it is only true to a degree. Those who encourage diaper ball teams are most-times just establishing their helicopter licence.

You would have to see it through the eyes of those who have already walked that path. The casualties are not worth the effort. At the younger ages there should be a certain amount of "drop them off" rec ball. Let them play. They will face the competative nature of the game soon enough.

[callyjr]

Next your going to tell me that Imus should be fired.....

He was fired and he deserved it.

You must be in socal, we couldn't put together a 7's travel team in the NW due to lack of comp. Our travel teams start at 10u, some 9u. Tom House has good starter pitching drills that have really helped our 7 and 8yr olds. By no means do I think he is the best out there for pitching, just offering some simple drills to do. I honestly have done no research on pitching. My boy at 6 has done the drills and can hit the plate. The mgr wanted him to pitch so I let him throw one inning, he did ok, but if he didn't have the drills I don't think he would have done so well.

[Three A's baseball]

I agree that was an attempt at humor.....

All I wanted was some pitching drills for 7-8 year olds.

I'll Google it...lol

[TG Coach]

I agree that was an attempt at humor.....

All I wanted was some pitching drills for 7-8 year olds.

I'll Google it...lol

Teach them how to throw properly before teaching them how to pitch.