06/02/2026
One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough in pitching… growth spurts.
Between ages 11-14, girls are going through some of the biggest physical changes their bodies will ever experience. Rapid growth, longer limbs, changes in center of gravity, coordination shifts, strength imbalances, hormonal changes, you name it. All of it affects movement patterns and body awareness. A pitcher who looked smooth and connected 6 months ago can suddenly feel completely out of sync overnight. And honestly? That’s NORMAL.
This is why slowing things down matters. This is why balance, stability, sequencing, and body control matter. This is why “just throw more” isn’t always the answer.
Using tools like the balance beam helps athletes learn how to control their body through movement, stay connected through their sequence, improve stability, and truly FEEL where they are in space again. When the body is constantly changing, athletes have to rebuild awareness and timing over and over as they grow.
Sometimes development isn’t about learning something new. Sometimes it’s about reconnecting with a body that changed faster than the brain could keep up with.
The best thing we can do as coaches during these stages? Slow it down. Teach feels. Build stability. Build confidence. Build athletes that understand HOW their body moves instead of just repeating reps with no purpose. 💡🥎
