NO “LEAPING” – All pitchers will either take a long step or “leap” out to get better distance. However, all organizations sponsoring girls softball do not allow a pitcher to become airborne during the pitch…it is illegal to have both feet in the air at the same time. That is why pitchers who use a “leaping” style must also “drag” the toe of the push-off foot on the ground until the stride foot touches down.
Leaping of any kind is illegal in ASA, NFHS, NCAA, USSSA, and DSI. The pitch, as shown in this video, is completely illegal, no matter how "it is executed," as the presenter states. It does not matter if the ball is released before the landing, as a previous poster stated. This is illegal. Plain and simple.
Can someone please tell me if this is actually legal in "Little League"? Not Babe Ruth, not AAU, but LITTLE LEAGUE? Please, no opinions- but facts... possibly referenced in any Little League Rule book? Thank you.
I can assure you, as an umpire of two decades, your statement is totally erroneous. Leaping during the delivery of a pitch, in and of itself, is illegal in fastpitch softball. "Landing" has nothing to do with it. It becomes illegal the moment the foot leaves the ground.
what i find hilarious is that when we go to the asa umpire certification classes, they actually show us this video to show what an ILLEGAL pitch looks like. lol
Anyone who thinks this is illegal does not know what they are talking about....first, it's a drill. Most pitching coaches will exaggerate a motion in order to teach a skill. If you were to see her full video or attend one of her lessons, you would see that all of her pitchers, after driving off the mound DRAG their feet down the power line. The is totaly LEGAL. None of them replant their feet and push off again. Check her website to see all of her pitchers and their successess!
@jeterlover03 ik ppl say thts illegal its not, if both feet r in the air its an illegal pitch but if one foot is on the ground then its legal ppl do not know wat they r talking about if they think its illegal! im 11 and i probably pitch around 40 mph
If the back foot stays on the ground it's legal, but if for any second it is lifted it would be illegal. However, pitching in that style would drive umps crazy. Even when her foot stayed on the ground, she would have a high probability of getting called for an illegal pitch. It often looks too close to having her foot in the air. I would never teach a girl to pitch that way.
@SimplyMsToria12 no its not! both feet have to be off the ground for it to be an illegal pitch ONE foot did u see ONE,UNO foot is in the air so its legal!!!!!!!!!! u just dnt know how to pitch!
@isabel91210 being 11 explains alot...i am actually an ASA certified umpire, and rule 6 section 1.A states "the pitcher must take a position with both feet firmly on the ground and with one or both feet in contact with the pitchers plate. The pitcher's pivot foot MUST BE IN CONTACT WITH THE PITCHER'S PLATE THROUGHOUT THE DELIVERY." this is straight out of the umpires manual of 2011.
@AccioHHr NO ITS NOT PPL ONE LEG IS IN THE AIR BOTH FEET HAVE TO BE IN THE AIR FOR IT TO BE AN ILLEGAL PITCH god ppl who think this is illegal dont know how to pitch!
@isabel91210 I don't know what's with the all caps... you know I can't hear you, right? And tell me both her feet aren't off the ground (aka in the air) at 1:34.
@D45ist This is an illegal pitch. Rules say a pitcher cannot have both feet in the air at the same time. I coach high school softball in Indiana and pitcher's have been warned or called on this many times.
@scotmichie u are partly right. The key "part" is "re-planting". Nowhere in her lessons does she re-plant the pivot foot. After driving off, her pitchers plant the STRIDING foot, resistant, all while dragging, not planting, the pivot foot down the powerline. Maybe you should listen to the video again. 90% of all Elite pitcher pitch this way. If you knew anything about Elite pitching you would know that Rita is a national acclaimed pitching coach and attends NFCA convention every year.
@scotmichie furthermore you might confuse the drill with crow hopping. This drill is merely to get the pitcher to drive off and keep their foot in contact with the power line. Though the pitcher's driving(pivot) foot stops and rests on the power line, it is not re-planting. What that rule means is it actually, flatly footed, replants and pushes off again. I was an ASA pitcher for 12 years and pitched Division II softball with a "Drive and Drag" motion(like most pitchers). It's completely legal.
If you are getting called for leaping then that is what you are doing. Leaping. not draging. You have to learn to keep your foot on the ground. Never Hop- plant-push-throw. That will send you to softball jail. Most of the time girls do that when there legs are tired.
@dwmeyer98 yeah, I agree with you...I think if she read named it something like: "Drive and Drag"...something along those lines it would clear up confusion. If you notice she's not teaching to lift up the pivot foot....but to drag it...I don't know to many pitchers that don't drag their pivot foot...
In this video she is not showing you the leap and drag. She is showing you the length that you are supposed to leap/stride forward. Not the whole footwork. If you hop then replant it is illegal. as long as the power foot drags the ground. it is legal. This is just a drill. My girls work with bungee cords to work on pushing off with power. I can't send them out in a game with them on. if i did that would be illegal. But it is a good drill.
I don't know what planet you people are from, but what she is teaching is completely legal and appropriate. Hayseed is correct. FWIW, Both of her feet are not in the air at the same time. there's always slowpitch for those of you who can't wrap your heads around fastpitch.
@nkminyard, I agree. Where I'm from this pitch would get called illegal every time. The real problem is that this lady isn't interested in teaching kids the proper way to pitch as much as she is in seeing her own method of pitching being handed down. It's pretty bad when one of the very first points she makes about it is to claim it's "perfectly legal". I hope parents aren't taking this method to heart, it sets a bad example.
Definitely not illegal guys, she's only illegal if your back foot leaves the ground, if you're dragging while you're leaping then it's completely legal in all levels of play
@nths3206 She wasn't called for leap and drag there sharp stuff. Leap and drag is just a term to substitute for "stride." If you would have paid attention to the calls you are talking about, the Arizona pitcher was called for both feet being off the ground at the same time. Her drive foot left the ground before her front foot planted. You can stride or "leap" as far as you want as long as the stride leg is planted before the drive foot leaves the ground.
@Hayseed98 Yeah well you might want to re watch this video more carefully bcuz both of the coaches feet leave the ground at the SAME TIME. but hey if u want to get called for pitching illegally go right ahead "sharp stuff"
this is illegal in NCAA play. I dont know if it is legal or not in little league... but in NCAA play you will be called an illegal pitch. you cannot hop in college.
Your foot does not need to stay in contact with the rubber once in your motion (stride). Only rule pertaining to crow hop is the back foot, which would be the pivot foot (front foot before stride) must remain in contact with the ground (dragging behind) until ball is released. Then a pitcher may continue to drag foot or some teach figure four where drag leg comes up behind front stride leg into a figure four, but the ball is already released.
Its only illegal if she replants and pushes again. As long as her foot stays in contact with the ground no umpire is going to call that an illegal pitch. There is no rule that says your foot has to stay in contact with the pitching rubber.
I go to the lady that is teaching this and she is awesome!!! I have only been to her 5 times, and she has gotten my fastball from 51 to 61 and i have 2 changeups, fastball, offspeed, and im working on a rise ball.
This is not illegal... providing that the drag foot remains in contact with the ground. Unfortunately many umpires are clueless to the technical pitching rules... even at international level! I promise you that this is not illegal!
This is NOT a crow hop. Technically this can be considered a "Leap" and will be called as an illegal pitch if it's done incorrectly. It's hardly, if ever, called because it happens so fast and considering the toe does drag through half of the stride, it's considered legal. It's kind of a pitching rule loophole that pitchers should be taking advantage of. The key to the whole thing is doing it "correctly" as she states in the video.
Read the rules about crow hopping and you'll understand.
for those of you that obviously know nothing about pitching, you can "jump" off the mound. watch any college pitcher and you can see that they dont just STEP off the mound (which she demonstrated at the beginning of the video). I pitched at the Univ. of Tenn, and yes I jumped off the mound. The only thing you cant do is slide your foot off the front of the mound or pick your front foot up
the leap is elligal and dangerouse wen u leep it accually gives the batter a better chance of hitting the ball and the closer u r u dont have as much tim e to think. also it cud hurt ur bak and legz
some umpires call that illegal, it's all depending on if you play usssa, asa, nsa, etc. the rules all change. i don't do that when I pitch because umpire, of course, always call me out and say i'm crow hopping, and it is illegal. and yea, pro softballers use crow hop, but it's not as drastic as this huge leap ^. So, yea, it may not be illegal in like practice games, like goofing off games, but most of the time, if they are good , the umps will call pitchers out on that and tell them to stop it..
yeahh i have been pitching for 3 years and just this year my pitching coach told me to get a longer stride so i leaped like that and i get warned every game. i went to a different pitching coach she told me some drills to do, but now i cant pitch as well as i did cuz im thinking about not leaping! someone got any tips?
It is not illegal to leap, providing that your drag foot remains in contact with the ground (until you plant your front foot). Some umpires have no clue on the technical rules of pitching. Here's a tip for you... look up the official rules for pitching... print them off.. and next time your coach or a blue tells you that you can't leap... hand them the rules and ask them to read them and above all, understand them! Leap until you are breathing down the batters neck!! :)
This is not a replant motion... this is a single push off and then a landing. Nothing wrong with it, providing the drag foot maintains contact with the ground.
there is only the problem the leap and drag the now declared that an illegal pitch because of injuries to the pitcher because of balls being fricken drilled at them
This style of pitch is either legal or illegal. It depends on the rules under wich you play. This style of pitch is legal for my oldest dughters league, but not for my younger one. In reference to the 1 foot=3 mph. What she means is that for every foot closer to homeplate you get, it is like adding 3 mph to your pitch. This is accomplished by the amount of reaction time the batter has before the ball croses the place.
Not technically. Sorry, but she knows what shes talking about. She's a DIVISON 1 pitching coach. Her advice has increased my pitching speed and my footwork is perfect. It's actually a GREAT way to pitch!!!
This is more illegal to jump hop or spring in the divison I pitch in you can NOT do those things! Nobody try this on the mound at a game! Ask your coach before hand that way your not called out on the mound when pitching because that is so emmbaressing to be called out on a mound!IM not sure about othr divisons but in mine that is illegal I tried it and if your pitch is not 35ft away or more depending on divison,your pitch would be illegal
not illegal as long as you drag your foot but, retarted cause everybody knows you need to push off the mound not jump in the air. thats where you get alot of your speed from.
i pitch for the 12u teams and for the travel leage and i was having problems pitching then i saw rita lynn. the teaching and she was really good and pitching how she does is not illeagal
I know what you mean, It can be illegalif you pick the back foot off the groundlike that..My pitching instructor says its illegal and you have to drag. Now there is no need to be mean you guys, she only stated her opinion softballBRAT
this is not a crow hop a crow hop is a double jump where you jump off the plate and replant the pivot foot then push off again, this is the best way to pitch if you will listen to her you push off the plate and drag your toe on the ground which is perfectly legal so reread your rule book
ive been pithcing for 3 years, i have speed, i just have the problem of closing my hip. i always leave it open so the ball goes to the right and misses the stike zone. if you have a solution for this, drop me a message or reply to this, i really want to get better
that pitch is not illigal if you back foot does not leave the ground. and if u are in midget you are aloud to hop do not talk about pitching mechanics if you do not know what u are talking about. its called a push off and if u listen she sas if you notice i am draging my foot. so sut up about illegal pitching bc u dont know anything about it
It really frustrates me to see coaches teaching improper mechanics. As mentioned several times by other users, that pitch is illegal!! Parents and coaches, please do not teach your kids this way. I think videos like this should be banned.
it's called a "crow hop" and as a pitcher myself, a "crow hop" is and illegal pitch, plain and simple. She is NOT dragging her foot, her foot leaves the ground, there for it's an illegal pitch.
When you pitch, if you step far enough, you can drag your foot without hopping. Hopping is illegal and should not be taught, as you said, just take a larger step when you pitch, you'll still get the same drag effect.
exactly! you cant lift up both of your feet when you leap, only your stride foot. your other foot has to stay on the ground untill your stide foot touches the ground.
Hah.. I like this... I teach the illegal, 'Leap & Drag' style pitch. I want all my students to not learn proper mechanics, and always struggle with being called on illegal pitches. Whoever pays this girl for lessons, is sorely mistaken. Of course, when i had my daughter take lessons, I read all the rules on it first, then went and explored pitching coaches. Guess many people don't do their homework first. Someone should ban these from youtube. :|
Strides vary so her 6 step length is very poor instructing and simple no valid. One size does not fit all. Also dragging the stride foot straight down the power line is a joke.
first of all, Lisa Fernadez, Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman all have illegal pitching motions. If you watched them play they have been called out on it in quite a few instances. Why its not called everytime they do it, I dont know, but most of the time their pitch is illegal.
Secondly:
According to the ASA rule book. Rule Six section 3 point G:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is REQUIRED..."
Methord is totally illegeal and is one of the most perfect examples of a crow hope I've ever seen. I'm both a pitcher and an umpire. I'd call this (though I'd try to get away with it as a pitcher) Jenny Finch dosen't pitch this, her back foot is always dragging. She's doing her girls a big disservice.
are you kidding? only ONE foot has to be on the ground at one time! this is totally legal. jenny finch is not the only pitcher in the world, and doing only what she does may not be the right thing for you, your teammates or your students. maybe you should think before writing comments that are totally untrue.
would you people chill out? shes is leaping and yes the way she does it is illegal, but when a pitcher puts the whole thing together, both of their feet will stay in contact with the ground. I use this method and it is perfectally legal. It becomes illegal when a pitcher lifts their foot off the ground in the drag. This method is legal.
yankeesuk0407. You are wrong! both feet never stay on the ground. The lead foot has to go in the air (the stride or drive). The back foot must be in close proximity to the ground during the drag (wording in most rule books). one the front foot lands then the back can be any where you want, on the ground or in the air, ala figure 4 Lisa Fernandez style.
first of all, Lisa Fernadez, Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman all have illegal pitching motions. If you watched them play they have been called out on it in quite a few instances. Why its not called everytime they do it, I dont know, but most of the time their pitch is illegal.
Secondly:
According to the ASA rule book. Rule Six section 3 point G:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is REQUIRED..."
Thats BULL she is NOT dragging her foot u can pause it I high definition and u will see that it is bull that she is dragging her foot so it is a F**kin illegal pitch and r u even a pitcher????!!!! watch REALLY CAREFULLY WHEN IT GETS TO A MINUTE AND 33 SECONDS THROUGH A MNUTE AND 35 SECONDS
I work as an umpire at all levels, Rec-ball to college. This is Illegal, and we do call it! Maybe not enough, but this pitching coach is going to cause her pitchers problems.
This is sooo illegal. According the ASA Rulebook page 121, the pivot foot must always be in contact with the ground. This is clearly not the case. A "LEAP" is an illegal pitch.
there's a bit of leeway when it comes to having both feet off the ground. as long as it isn't too obvious, it's alright and usually wont' get called by the ump.
this is completly illegal...she's crohopping!!! yu push off you dont"leap and drag" yah, you have a drag but thats after you push of and your front foot lands..and you should be pushing of the heigth of your body.
Take a look at one of Jenny Finch's pitches in slow motion, she does the same thing, what's the big deal once your older the UMP's don't call it anyway....
Part 1: I ump NFHS & ASA state and national tournaments each year. It is unfortunate that she uses the term "Leap and Drag." In NFHS and ASA, leaping is defined as both feet in the air simultaneously and is ILLEGAL. Both rule books require the pivot foot to push off and drag away from the pitching rubber. However, a hole invariably develops in front of the pitching rubber after a few pitches and the rule book allows a pivot foot not to drag if it would have dragged had there been no hole.
Part 2: A crow hop occurs when the pitcher's pivot foot is not in contact with the pitching rubber when the hands separate. Many people confuse a replant after a leap with a crow hop. This is not a crow hop, it is a leap. It is physically impossible to replant without first leaping. The NFHS has excellent videos showing examples of illegal pitches on their web site.
Part 3: The pitching instructor does leap very slightly. It is so slight that I doubt that many umpires would call it -- especially if there were any sort of a hole. My concern is that her technique will encourage young pitchers to over-emphasize the necessary strong push away from the pitching rubber and have both feet in the air simultaneously.
Part 4: If she is not familiar with the above pitching rules and fails to emphasize these points to her students, she is doing a terrible disservice to her students and to the entire softball community. If she is familiar with these rules, she should make that clear in her video and caution viewers and her students on what is/is not allowed.
leaping and crowhopping is definitly illegal. im a fastpitch softball pitcher and ive been called by professional umpires for "crowhopping" and "leaping" off the mound. they suggested for me when i leg drive to leave my draging foot against the mound as long as i can then drag.
CROW HOPPERS replant a foot, and LEAPERS do not. Keeping your toe pointing down is the key here. All pitchers need to use their legs and push. Young pichters look up to college pitchers and those who are on the USA olympic team. If they use this......and they do, then it should not be considered an illegal pitch for young pitchers?
NO “LEAPING” – All pitchers will either take a long step or “leap” out to get better distance. However, all organizations sponsoring girls softball do not allow a pitcher to become airborne during the pitch…it is illegal to have both feet in the air at the same time. That is why pitchers who use a “leaping” style must also “drag” the toe of the push-off foot on the ground until the stride foot touches down.
steeler2992 2 days ago
Leaping of any kind is illegal in ASA, NFHS, NCAA, USSSA, and DSI. The pitch, as shown in this video, is completely illegal, no matter how "it is executed," as the presenter states. It does not matter if the ball is released before the landing, as a previous poster stated. This is illegal. Plain and simple.
skahtboi 1 week ago
Whether its illegal or not, her fundamentals are wayyyyyyyy wrong!
0831Sarah 2 months ago
THIS IS WRONG. YOU WILL GET CALLED ON AN ILLEGAL PITCH EVERYTIME, I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. DO NOT LEAP AND DRAG.
29softballchika 4 months ago
WOW you guys who are saying this i illegal are idiots!
alldoodle1997 4 months ago
No. Only the ones who believe it to be legal are.
skahtboi 1 week ago
Can someone please tell me if this is actually legal in "Little League"? Not Babe Ruth, not AAU, but LITTLE LEAGUE? Please, no opinions- but facts... possibly referenced in any Little League Rule book? Thank you.
abczdad 5 months ago
guys shut up....it is legal. as long as the ball is released before you land.
XxGemstone1661xX 6 months ago
I can assure you, as an umpire of two decades, your statement is totally erroneous. Leaping during the delivery of a pitch, in and of itself, is illegal in fastpitch softball. "Landing" has nothing to do with it. It becomes illegal the moment the foot leaves the ground.
skahtboi 1 week ago
This is ILLEGAL ............. YEah.. umm... not the right fundamentals .... unless you want to be called on for an illegal pitch... lol
Drizzylove100 6 months ago
Leaping? Totally Legal....Not.
She has more Gadgets then Carrot Top!!)
otroe1 6 months ago in playlist Softball How to Pitch Videos
what i find hilarious is that when we go to the asa umpire certification classes, they actually show us this video to show what an ILLEGAL pitch looks like. lol
SimplyMsToria12 7 months ago
my coach taught us this and it helps!
isabel91210 7 months ago
it is illeagle if the pitcher is getting air on her leap
MrHauntings 7 months ago
Anyone who thinks this is illegal does not know what they are talking about....first, it's a drill. Most pitching coaches will exaggerate a motion in order to teach a skill. If you were to see her full video or attend one of her lessons, you would see that all of her pitchers, after driving off the mound DRAG their feet down the power line. The is totaly LEGAL. None of them replant their feet and push off again. Check her website to see all of her pitchers and their successess!
jeterlover03 8 months ago 2
@jeterlover03 ik ppl say thts illegal its not, if both feet r in the air its an illegal pitch but if one foot is on the ground then its legal ppl do not know wat they r talking about if they think its illegal! im 11 and i probably pitch around 40 mph
isabel91210 7 months ago
no because that would be crow steppin
perty96 9 months ago
If the back foot stays on the ground it's legal, but if for any second it is lifted it would be illegal. However, pitching in that style would drive umps crazy. Even when her foot stayed on the ground, she would have a high probability of getting called for an illegal pitch. It often looks too close to having her foot in the air. I would never teach a girl to pitch that way.
13psr 9 months ago
Comment removed
sportiiecat 9 months ago
shame on this coach...illegal pitch!
SimplyMsToria12 9 months ago
@SimplyMsToria12 no its not! both feet have to be off the ground for it to be an illegal pitch ONE foot did u see ONE,UNO foot is in the air so its legal!!!!!!!!!! u just dnt know how to pitch!
isabel91210 7 months ago
@isabel91210 being 11 explains alot...i am actually an ASA certified umpire, and rule 6 section 1.A states "the pitcher must take a position with both feet firmly on the ground and with one or both feet in contact with the pitchers plate. The pitcher's pivot foot MUST BE IN CONTACT WITH THE PITCHER'S PLATE THROUGHOUT THE DELIVERY." this is straight out of the umpires manual of 2011.
SimplyMsToria12 7 months ago
It IS illegal. When she takes her hop, her back foot also comes off the ground BEFORE she starts draggnig it. ILLEGAL.
AccioHHr 9 months ago
@AccioHHr NO ITS NOT PPL ONE LEG IS IN THE AIR BOTH FEET HAVE TO BE IN THE AIR FOR IT TO BE AN ILLEGAL PITCH god ppl who think this is illegal dont know how to pitch!
isabel91210 7 months ago
@isabel91210 I don't know what's with the all caps... you know I can't hear you, right? And tell me both her feet aren't off the ground (aka in the air) at 1:34.
AccioHHr 7 months ago
She says leap and drag, but she is hopping. If you see air under the drag foot, it is illegal
playsoftball 10 months ago
It's not legal to crowhop in my age group I did and the ump told me not to then he overheard me call him a ass and I got kicked out
kooldog102 11 months ago
This pitch is NOT illegal in any league in any part of the world.
You are misunderstanding the rules. ONE foot must be on the ground at all times.
When her front foot is in the air the back foot is grounded. When the front foot lands she drags the back foot which is STILL touching the ground.
YOU do not pitch with both feet on the ground at all times.
A human cannot even walk and keep both feet on the ground at all times. Physically impossible.
D45ist 11 months ago
@D45ist This is an illegal pitch. Rules say a pitcher cannot have both feet in the air at the same time. I coach high school softball in Indiana and pitcher's have been warned or called on this many times.
tdrisser 10 months ago
@D45ist ASA - "A crow hop is defined as the act of a pitcher who steps, hops, or drags off the
Front of the pitcher's plate, replants the pivot foot, establishing a second impetus
(or starting point), pushes off from the newly-established starting point and
and completes the delivery."
And the ASA rulebook also states:
"Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal."
It is illegal. It's in the ASA rulebook.
scotmichie 8 months ago
@scotmichie u are partly right. The key "part" is "re-planting". Nowhere in her lessons does she re-plant the pivot foot. After driving off, her pitchers plant the STRIDING foot, resistant, all while dragging, not planting, the pivot foot down the powerline. Maybe you should listen to the video again. 90% of all Elite pitcher pitch this way. If you knew anything about Elite pitching you would know that Rita is a national acclaimed pitching coach and attends NFCA convention every year.
jeterlover03 8 months ago
@scotmichie furthermore you might confuse the drill with crow hopping. This drill is merely to get the pitcher to drive off and keep their foot in contact with the power line. Though the pitcher's driving(pivot) foot stops and rests on the power line, it is not re-planting. What that rule means is it actually, flatly footed, replants and pushes off again. I was an ASA pitcher for 12 years and pitched Division II softball with a "Drive and Drag" motion(like most pitchers). It's completely legal.
jeterlover03 8 months ago
This is what like B ball players do.
RYAN57HEINZ 1 year ago
BOTH FEET HAVE TO STAY ON THE GROUND IF OTHER WISE ITS ILLEGAL says my coach.
RockaHolicRawr 1 year ago
@RockaHolicRawr
how do you stride with both feet on the ground???
srunion03 1 year ago
If you are getting called for leaping then that is what you are doing. Leaping. not draging. You have to learn to keep your foot on the ground. Never Hop- plant-push-throw. That will send you to softball jail. Most of the time girls do that when there legs are tired.
dwmeyer98 1 year ago
@dwmeyer98 yeah, I agree with you...I think if she read named it something like: "Drive and Drag"...something along those lines it would clear up confusion. If you notice she's not teaching to lift up the pivot foot....but to drag it...I don't know to many pitchers that don't drag their pivot foot...
jeterlover03 1 year ago
In this video she is not showing you the leap and drag. She is showing you the length that you are supposed to leap/stride forward. Not the whole footwork. If you hop then replant it is illegal. as long as the power foot drags the ground. it is legal. This is just a drill. My girls work with bungee cords to work on pushing off with power. I can't send them out in a game with them on. if i did that would be illegal. But it is a good drill.
dwmeyer98 1 year ago
this lady obvousily doesn't know what she is talking about? does she know she will be called for an illegal pitch everytime? WOW!
TheMaddie222 1 year ago
OH MY GOD She sounds like a damn flight attendent.
bigge0369 1 year ago
I don't know what planet you people are from, but what she is teaching is completely legal and appropriate. Hayseed is correct. FWIW, Both of her feet are not in the air at the same time. there's always slowpitch for those of you who can't wrap your heads around fastpitch.
SpazzzyMageee 1 year ago
instead of just stepping, we cheat instead and dont have enough time to get out of the way of line drive back to the pitcher
dhmathers7 1 year ago
As an umpire I would have to call this an illegal pitch over and over again! Come on! Let's teach our kids the RIGHT WAY to pitch!
nkminyard 1 year ago
@nkminyard, I agree. Where I'm from this pitch would get called illegal every time. The real problem is that this lady isn't interested in teaching kids the proper way to pitch as much as she is in seeing her own method of pitching being handed down. It's pretty bad when one of the very first points she makes about it is to claim it's "perfectly legal". I hope parents aren't taking this method to heart, it sets a bad example.
slicko93 1 year ago
even if it was legal, why would you teach brand new players to play with gimmicks instead of skill?
gtadem 1 year ago
that shits illegal!
chickayah27 1 year ago
you cant leap it is not leagle!!!
jcarracer 1 year ago
I've just started doing fast pitch for Canusa,
and my selects league, it is illegal
SoccerSuperStar49 1 year ago
pause at 0:24.... both feet are off the ground... thats illegal
nths3206 1 year ago
Definitely not illegal guys, she's only illegal if your back foot leaves the ground, if you're dragging while you're leaping then it's completely legal in all levels of play
SoftballSNJ 1 year ago
ILLEGAL....the foot must not leave the ground...they should remove this!!
wellsa438 1 year ago
Umhh u cant leap and drag.. its illegal......
Ive been called for this one 3 or 4 times....
KRISALLENROXify 1 year ago
@KRISALLENROXify
I was called for it this year, and if anyone watched the womens college world series Arizona's pitcher was called for it quite often.
nths3206 1 year ago
@nths3206 yeaa.. this ladie is dumb as hell
KRISALLENROXify 1 year ago
@nths3206 She wasn't called for leap and drag there sharp stuff. Leap and drag is just a term to substitute for "stride." If you would have paid attention to the calls you are talking about, the Arizona pitcher was called for both feet being off the ground at the same time. Her drive foot left the ground before her front foot planted. You can stride or "leap" as far as you want as long as the stride leg is planted before the drive foot leaves the ground.
Hayseed98 1 year ago
@Hayseed98 Yeah well you might want to re watch this video more carefully bcuz both of the coaches feet leave the ground at the SAME TIME. but hey if u want to get called for pitching illegally go right ahead "sharp stuff"
nths3206 1 year ago
this is soooo illegal! i have been called for this one i should know!
lovinsoftball4 1 year ago
@lovinsoftball4 ritee mee too.
KRISALLENROXify 1 year ago
Leap and drag is illegal!
If you leap and drag... the batter gets a ball added to the count and if there is a runner..they get to advance
dandarnel 1 year ago
i wood bang this teen
SKATERPAINT07 1 year ago
Check your NCAA rules. This is illegal.
leahd22 1 year ago
@leahd22 ritee
KRISALLENROXify 1 year ago
this is illegal in NCAA play. I dont know if it is legal or not in little league... but in NCAA play you will be called an illegal pitch. you cannot hop in college.
ctwm84 1 year ago
this shiz illegal!
Mslollipop7891 1 year ago
why does this woman teach crowhopping and illegal moves ? she is teaching horrible mechanics too with that lifting the foot nonsense. She is a joke
fop98 1 year ago
Your foot does not need to stay in contact with the rubber once in your motion (stride). Only rule pertaining to crow hop is the back foot, which would be the pivot foot (front foot before stride) must remain in contact with the ground (dragging behind) until ball is released. Then a pitcher may continue to drag foot or some teach figure four where drag leg comes up behind front stride leg into a figure four, but the ball is already released.
stemcellsrock 1 year ago
great my honey love to know what happens and she is ready for softball
sharpdwg 1 year ago
she is from north Carolina, i like her ascent
MrForchy007 1 year ago
It's perfectly legal ... in every part of the U.S.!
valuemgr140 2 years ago
@valuemgr140 Then u OBVIOUSLY live in a different U.S!!!!
iFlossyJoe 1 year ago
Thats Illegal
MEGASOFTBALLPITCHER 2 years ago
@MEGASOFTBALLPITCHER If you drag you are legal... if there is air it is illegal
coachrobh 1 year ago
hey Umpires, what do you think? legal or not?
722000theloop 2 years ago
its illegal on the east coast, shes crow hopping
fop98 2 years ago
nice you are teaching crow hopping, an ILLEGAL PITCH HONEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
fop98 2 years ago
Its only illegal if she replants and pushes again. As long as her foot stays in contact with the ground no umpire is going to call that an illegal pitch. There is no rule that says your foot has to stay in contact with the pitching rubber.
ChildPlease94 2 years ago
I go to the lady that is teaching this and she is awesome!!! I have only been to her 5 times, and she has gotten my fastball from 51 to 61 and i have 2 changeups, fastball, offspeed, and im working on a rise ball.
wildfiregrl 2 years ago
i play travel softball and i love it!!
zooboo267 2 years ago
i really miss softball. I was so stupid to quit just over a stupid coach.. :/
electric0blue 2 years ago
This style looks like it would be alot of wear and tear on the legs and knees.
latinrum2 2 years ago
kernal6311, you're way wrong.
The ball is released at the end of the push as the stride leg lands. Please stop giving pitching advice.
a11toug 2 years ago
you must release the ball as you push off the rubber. you can not release the ball at the end of the push
kernal6311 2 years ago
this is so illegal, i pitch for my softball team, and i used to do this and i had to fix it cause every ump said its illegal.
yeahhthatsAutumnn 2 years ago
This is not illegal... providing that the drag foot remains in contact with the ground. Unfortunately many umpires are clueless to the technical pitching rules... even at international level! I promise you that this is not illegal!
curtt21 2 years ago
hey
this is called CROW HOPPING totally illegal
micela12 2 years ago
This is NOT a crow hop. Technically this can be considered a "Leap" and will be called as an illegal pitch if it's done incorrectly. It's hardly, if ever, called because it happens so fast and considering the toe does drag through half of the stride, it's considered legal. It's kind of a pitching rule loophole that pitchers should be taking advantage of. The key to the whole thing is doing it "correctly" as she states in the video.
Read the rules about crow hopping and you'll understand.
a11toug 2 years ago
If this were crow hopping Jenny Finch would have never been successful. She is a master of the leapand drag. Done right it is legal.
qwikvr6gti 2 years ago
easy thats my wife and my kid
shauntampa 2 years ago
and that pitch is illegal
KatiexKIRA 2 years ago
you can not leap and you have no idea what your doing
girliebrat07 2 years ago
for those of you that obviously know nothing about pitching, you can "jump" off the mound. watch any college pitcher and you can see that they dont just STEP off the mound (which she demonstrated at the beginning of the video). I pitched at the Univ. of Tenn, and yes I jumped off the mound. The only thing you cant do is slide your foot off the front of the mound or pick your front foot up
dpieroni5 2 years ago
if you do that in non college you can not leap so you no nothing about pichter
girliebrat07 2 years ago
sure you can
nutsack666 2 years ago
its illegal. girls get called out all the time cuz of this.
softballstarr16 2 years ago
this is retarded yhu cant hop
AlexBrough1 2 years ago
hello dummies at 1:44 she says that you dragging your foot straight down the power line so it is not a crow hop!
xoxonickjonas1122 2 years ago
the leap is elligal and dangerouse wen u leep it accually gives the batter a better chance of hitting the ball and the closer u r u dont have as much tim e to think. also it cud hurt ur bak and legz
iFlossyJoe 2 years ago
but the less tme they have to react. and ts much more inimidatng to the hitter i found. im a pitcher from nz and love it,
zane siolo
NesianWithAttitude 2 years ago
thats called crohoping! thats illegal! dummyy =]
fattyycakess 2 years ago
we are not allowed to hop in our league
13Badz13 2 years ago
I don't belive we can do this in my league...I belive my coach even said not to do it.
4485TripleC 2 years ago
this is illegal retard! I have tried it and i got called on! oh yeah and you sound really stupid at 1:07
softballbrat7 2 years ago
omg LOL i went to 1:07 i laughed SOO hard omg lol thanks for that little time linky thingy. :D
SuperGoalie12 2 years ago
Every1 watch ESPN cuz the softball world series!!! Im playing in it!!!! Were 1 of the 26 teams chosen!
2kool4u24 2 years ago
some umpires call that illegal, it's all depending on if you play usssa, asa, nsa, etc. the rules all change. i don't do that when I pitch because umpire, of course, always call me out and say i'm crow hopping, and it is illegal. and yea, pro softballers use crow hop, but it's not as drastic as this huge leap ^. So, yea, it may not be illegal in like practice games, like goofing off games, but most of the time, if they are good , the umps will call pitchers out on that and tell them to stop it..
hellohunnnney 2 years ago
yeahh i have been pitching for 3 years and just this year my pitching coach told me to get a longer stride so i leaped like that and i get warned every game. i went to a different pitching coach she told me some drills to do, but now i cant pitch as well as i did cuz im thinking about not leaping! someone got any tips?
beautiifulxsmiilex10 2 years ago
It is not illegal to leap, providing that your drag foot remains in contact with the ground (until you plant your front foot). Some umpires have no clue on the technical rules of pitching. Here's a tip for you... look up the official rules for pitching... print them off.. and next time your coach or a blue tells you that you can't leap... hand them the rules and ask them to read them and above all, understand them! Leap until you are breathing down the batters neck!! :)
curtt21 2 years ago
wow
monica201112 2 years ago
i dont think is illegal. i've been pitching for 3 years and the umpire never said anything about me "leaping".
also if you watch Jenny Finch or Cat Osterman pitch they both "leap"
lilGnat13 2 years ago
Comment removed
lilGnat13 2 years ago
you gotta watch, because under ASA rules, this may be called illegal due to "re-planting"
nanigirl15 2 years ago
This is not a replant motion... this is a single push off and then a landing. Nothing wrong with it, providing the drag foot maintains contact with the ground.
curtt21 2 years ago
there is only the problem the leap and drag the now declared that an illegal pitch because of injuries to the pitcher because of balls being fricken drilled at them
darkunknown97 2 years ago
This style of pitch is either legal or illegal. It depends on the rules under wich you play. This style of pitch is legal for my oldest dughters league, but not for my younger one. In reference to the 1 foot=3 mph. What she means is that for every foot closer to homeplate you get, it is like adding 3 mph to your pitch. This is accomplished by the amount of reaction time the batter has before the ball croses the place.
shivanjayhawk 2 years ago
Yeah this is sooooo not illegal so. haha. I have a pitching coach and he said its perfectly legal to leap to pitch to get more speed.
lolzgirly 2 years ago
YOU GUYS ARE SO STUPID!!!!
this is not illegal.its adding power to your pitch.
its called STRIDING.many of you younger dumb B*****S are not listening.
wiizardfactorii101 2 years ago
wow she's stupid thats illegal.
ashkovarik 2 years ago
1st of all 1 foot does not equal 3M.P.H. Because then if you pitch 65 M.P.H then your striding/jumping almost 22 feet. And, that's inpossible.
allstarsoftball5 2 years ago
isnt that an illegal???
ashtharabbit09 2 years ago
what a dumba** illegal as hell
bray1869 2 years ago
I'm confuzzled!!! is it legal or not? Can ANYONE answer my question?
xocandiegurl 2 years ago
this is an illegal pitch!! she dont know wat she tlkin about
dylanromandinelover 2 years ago
completely ILLEGAL
catherinejonesport 2 years ago
illegal pitch lol
laxkid96 2 years ago
ive been a pitching coach for two years and i teacg 10u to 12u and this is not the way to pitch due to safety reasons so i woukdnt try it
molzkid 2 years ago
Not technically. Sorry, but she knows what shes talking about. She's a DIVISON 1 pitching coach. Her advice has increased my pitching speed and my footwork is perfect. It's actually a GREAT way to pitch!!!
dance734 2 years ago
crow hopping is definately IILEGALL!
tylerrenee1994 2 years ago
This is more illegal to jump hop or spring in the divison I pitch in you can NOT do those things! Nobody try this on the mound at a game! Ask your coach before hand that way your not called out on the mound when pitching because that is so emmbaressing to be called out on a mound!IM not sure about othr divisons but in mine that is illegal I tried it and if your pitch is not 35ft away or more depending on divison,your pitch would be illegal
MissBrooke1215 2 years ago
literally you can't do that hop! that is sooooo ilegal. i dont know what the point of this drill is anyway!!
monkeylover7698 2 years ago
that style is illegal...hopping...
i have the drag style... and your style is so illegal!!!...every good experienced pitcher knows that
miagski123 2 years ago
I think when people read HOP it gives the wrong idea, she also says SPRING which is what I call it.
Its funny that when she does it at (0:24) she does it illegally, the young girl does a good example at (2:00)
stucknthird 2 years ago
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stucknthird 2 years ago
not illegal as long as you drag your foot but, retarted cause everybody knows you need to push off the mound not jump in the air. thats where you get alot of your speed from.
chatahsooner 2 years ago
TOTALLY not ilegal stupid girl
softballbrat7 2 years ago
i pitch for the 12u teams and for the travel leage and i was having problems pitching then i saw rita lynn. the teaching and she was really good and pitching how she does is not illeagal
LMA711 2 years ago
Comment removed
catherinejonesport 2 years ago
I know what you mean, It can be illegalif you pick the back foot off the groundlike that..My pitching instructor says its illegal and you have to drag. Now there is no need to be mean you guys, she only stated her opinion softballBRAT
ollieandscar137 2 years ago
don't be rude to me i am just stating my opinion so STAY out of my buisness!!! you are the BRAT!
softballbrat7 2 years ago
Comment removed
roo13813roo 2 years ago
this is not a crow hop a crow hop is a double jump where you jump off the plate and replant the pivot foot then push off again, this is the best way to pitch if you will listen to her you push off the plate and drag your toe on the ground which is perfectly legal so reread your rule book
kinghrts04 2 years ago
ive been pithcing for 3 years, i have speed, i just have the problem of closing my hip. i always leave it open so the ball goes to the right and misses the stike zone. if you have a solution for this, drop me a message or reply to this, i really want to get better
<3 Sabel
Sabel21 2 years ago
that pitch is not illigal if you back foot does not leave the ground. and if u are in midget you are aloud to hop do not talk about pitching mechanics if you do not know what u are talking about. its called a push off and if u listen she sas if you notice i am draging my foot. so sut up about illegal pitching bc u dont know anything about it
scramy08 2 years ago
It really frustrates me to see coaches teaching improper mechanics. As mentioned several times by other users, that pitch is illegal!! Parents and coaches, please do not teach your kids this way. I think videos like this should be banned.
SDNickyRocks 2 years ago
it's called a "crow hop" and as a pitcher myself, a "crow hop" is and illegal pitch, plain and simple. She is NOT dragging her foot, her foot leaves the ground, there for it's an illegal pitch.
MarkBearTN 3 years ago
When you pitch, if you step far enough, you can drag your foot without hopping. Hopping is illegal and should not be taught, as you said, just take a larger step when you pitch, you'll still get the same drag effect.
Sabel21 2 years ago
exactly! you cant lift up both of your feet when you leap, only your stride foot. your other foot has to stay on the ground untill your stide foot touches the ground.
LMA711 2 years ago
Hah.. I like this... I teach the illegal, 'Leap & Drag' style pitch. I want all my students to not learn proper mechanics, and always struggle with being called on illegal pitches. Whoever pays this girl for lessons, is sorely mistaken. Of course, when i had my daughter take lessons, I read all the rules on it first, then went and explored pitching coaches. Guess many people don't do their homework first. Someone should ban these from youtube. :|
ocbroadband 3 years ago
Strides vary so her 6 step length is very poor instructing and simple no valid. One size does not fit all. Also dragging the stride foot straight down the power line is a joke.
pavin2134 3 years ago
Thats good advice
PrincessRocker962 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
first of all, Lisa Fernadez, Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman all have illegal pitching motions. If you watched them play they have been called out on it in quite a few instances. Why its not called everytime they do it, I dont know, but most of the time their pitch is illegal.
Secondly:
According to the ASA rule book. Rule Six section 3 point G:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is REQUIRED..."
yankeesuk0407 3 years ago
Methord is totally illegeal and is one of the most perfect examples of a crow hope I've ever seen. I'm both a pitcher and an umpire. I'd call this (though I'd try to get away with it as a pitcher) Jenny Finch dosen't pitch this, her back foot is always dragging. She's doing her girls a big disservice.
LozzaBabie 3 years ago
true that
mayday3208 3 years ago
are you kidding? only ONE foot has to be on the ground at one time! this is totally legal. jenny finch is not the only pitcher in the world, and doing only what she does may not be the right thing for you, your teammates or your students. maybe you should think before writing comments that are totally untrue.
soundninja0 3 years ago
would you people chill out? shes is leaping and yes the way she does it is illegal, but when a pitcher puts the whole thing together, both of their feet will stay in contact with the ground. I use this method and it is perfectally legal. It becomes illegal when a pitcher lifts their foot off the ground in the drag. This method is legal.
yankeesuk0407 3 years ago
yankeesuk0407. You are wrong! both feet never stay on the ground. The lead foot has to go in the air (the stride or drive). The back foot must be in close proximity to the ground during the drag (wording in most rule books). one the front foot lands then the back can be any where you want, on the ground or in the air, ala figure 4 Lisa Fernandez style.
wspp60 3 years ago
first of all, Lisa Fernadez, Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman all have illegal pitching motions. If you watched them play they have been called out on it in quite a few instances. Why its not called everytime they do it, I dont know, but most of the time their pitch is illegal.
Secondly:
According to the ASA rule book. Rule Six section 3 point G:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is REQUIRED..."
yankeesuk0407 3 years ago
Thats BULL she is NOT dragging her foot u can pause it I high definition and u will see that it is bull that she is dragging her foot so it is a F**kin illegal pitch and r u even a pitcher????!!!! watch REALLY CAREFULLY WHEN IT GETS TO A MINUTE AND 33 SECONDS THROUGH A MNUTE AND 35 SECONDS
K9sportyMCsport 3 years ago
Are you replying to my post? (wspp60) or to the post from that knucklehead yankeesuk0407 posted?
BTW, Does your mother know you have a foul mouth... or in this case, write such vulgarities?
wspp60 3 years ago
hey i am a freshman a t ewhs and i am trying out for the pitcher for the tem
sunshinerox123 3 years ago
I work as an umpire at all levels, Rec-ball to college. This is Illegal, and we do call it! Maybe not enough, but this pitching coach is going to cause her pitchers problems.
stevedrake14 3 years ago
In addition,a point during this pitch both feet are airborne. Which is totally illegal as well.
LRA6252 3 years ago
This is sooo illegal. According the ASA Rulebook page 121, the pivot foot must always be in contact with the ground. This is clearly not the case. A "LEAP" is an illegal pitch.
LRA6252 3 years ago
there's a bit of leeway when it comes to having both feet off the ground. as long as it isn't too obvious, it's alright and usually wont' get called by the ump.
liyano89 3 years ago
duh this is retarded she is totally crohopping i play and i got called on that!!!!!!
softballbrat7 3 years ago
i like cereal
coronah 3 years ago
this is completly illegal...she's crohopping!!! yu push off you dont"leap and drag" yah, you have a drag but thats after you push of and your front foot lands..and you should be pushing of the heigth of your body.
missysports12 3 years ago
Take a look at one of Jenny Finch's pitches in slow motion, she does the same thing, what's the big deal once your older the UMP's don't call it anyway....
kcpitching 3 years ago
Look at a Jenny Finch pitch! She does the same thing this lady is teaching, what's the difference once you get older the UMPs don't call it anyway.
kcpitching 3 years ago
hey i do this in softball
cgoodman1986 3 years ago
CROHOPPING
HollyHCH 3 years ago
sorry but this is illegal.
MaYbEiFyOuDsMiLe 3 years ago
Part 1: I ump NFHS & ASA state and national tournaments each year. It is unfortunate that she uses the term "Leap and Drag." In NFHS and ASA, leaping is defined as both feet in the air simultaneously and is ILLEGAL. Both rule books require the pivot foot to push off and drag away from the pitching rubber. However, a hole invariably develops in front of the pitching rubber after a few pitches and the rule book allows a pivot foot not to drag if it would have dragged had there been no hole.
D12Ump 3 years ago
Part 2: A crow hop occurs when the pitcher's pivot foot is not in contact with the pitching rubber when the hands separate. Many people confuse a replant after a leap with a crow hop. This is not a crow hop, it is a leap. It is physically impossible to replant without first leaping. The NFHS has excellent videos showing examples of illegal pitches on their web site.
D12Ump 3 years ago
Part 3: The pitching instructor does leap very slightly. It is so slight that I doubt that many umpires would call it -- especially if there were any sort of a hole. My concern is that her technique will encourage young pitchers to over-emphasize the necessary strong push away from the pitching rubber and have both feet in the air simultaneously.
D12Ump 3 years ago
Part 4: If she is not familiar with the above pitching rules and fails to emphasize these points to her students, she is doing a terrible disservice to her students and to the entire softball community. If she is familiar with these rules, she should make that clear in her video and caution viewers and her students on what is/is not allowed.
D12Ump 3 years ago
leaping and crowhopping is definitly illegal. im a fastpitch softball pitcher and ive been called by professional umpires for "crowhopping" and "leaping" off the mound. they suggested for me when i leg drive to leave my draging foot against the mound as long as i can then drag.
FaStxPiTcH 3 years ago
There is a crow hop in the begining. You need to keep your toe down right when you explode off the mound.
Sierra16Lee 3 years ago
yes,this is deffenitly illegal,crow hopping or leaping its still illegal.
BShade16 3 years ago
CROW HOPPERS replant a foot, and LEAPERS do not. Keeping your toe pointing down is the key here. All pitchers need to use their legs and push. Young pichters look up to college pitchers and those who are on the USA olympic team. If they use this......and they do, then it should not be considered an illegal pitch for young pitchers?
TnKym22 3 years ago