my son's change up is dropping to much, hitting right at plate but probably not a strike. he uses 3 finger, throws fastball 85-87. what could be cause or how to bring up a foot or so.
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Sight higher. Where is his sight now?
Have to see it. What is CU velo? Does he slow his body and/or arm action down? Does he need to adjust his grip so he is more behind the ball?
Nothing wrong with a bunch of drop on a change up. Just have him start it higher. Instead of starting it knee high, start it waist high and let it drop.
Agree with others. He needs to sight the ball higher, but I truly think it is best if he can throw it in the zone and out of the zone. He'll have a very effective CU if he can master that!
Most effective change ups are out of the strike zone. If it is literally in the dirt consistently then of course start it a little higher. Slightly sooner on the release. But if he is getting good drop don't change a thing! I tell my guys all the time a change up grip that produces only a change of speed and no movement is not a good change. Should shoot for 10 - 15 mph difference. More may be ok if mechanics don't change but if you get too big a difference hitters will adjust so you better not throw it for a strike!
thanks all for advise. it is breaking in the dirt. Don't want to change his arm slot or release point to much so will have him try higher target. He was experiencing this at tryouts and didn't see, no parents allowed in the gym. They only clocked fastballs but if I would guess is cb is 73-74 from past workouts. His fastball was high last week so thinking he is over compensating for that. He has another 2 weeks to work out before games start so should get it by then. Thanks
Dropping in low at the plate is only a problem if it's easy to read his CU. Otherwise, that's a good change. My son uses a splitfinger fastball as his change and I want it dropping into the dirt at the plate.
Sounds like he has the perfect 2 strike change up...that is exactly what you want when you are ahead in the count. Starts in the zone and the bottom falls out. As for needing it to finish in the zone for a called strike, FIO (Figure It Out)...just a phrase my son's HS coach uses with his Ps. He has time to experiment...something will click and it is probably just a slight adjustment in release point or focal point. But, remember, his arm action has to be identical to that of his FB for long term success vs good hitters (ie, deception). I'd have him start by focusing on the catchers mask as a target vs. the glove and work from there. Good luck. Sounds like a good problem to have.
i only ask this because coach is judging the pitchers on strike % in tryouts, i also think it would be a good pitch if it followed hard fastball strike or ahead in count, smh with his coach's opinion