drop and drive

Question
QUESTION: My son is 12 years old and has been pitching for the last three years.  His height is around 5'8".  He throws a fast ball (four seam and two seam) and a change up.  He has accuracy and speed.  Our team has enlisted the help of a pitching coach to tweak the players.  On my son's first day with the coach, the coach was trying to change him from the tall and fall delivery to dropping and driving.  Do you have any idea why a pitching coach would do this if the child was already throwing in the high 60's/low 70's with accuracy?  We noticed that at our son's next outing, he was trying this approach and had serious control issues and decreased velocity.
ANSWER: Mom,

Thanks for the question.  The only reason for the coach making this change is that this is the method that the employs and he is a "one way" type of coach.  The issue here is what is best for your son.  Obviously he has had good success and has learned to throw in a manner which is in many opinions the best way to pitch.  My philosophy is that there are a few different methods of pitching.  As long as the mechanics are sound within that method, it will work.  

But I don't agree with taking a kid who is successful with one mechanical method of pitching and switching him in midstream for no apparent reason other than that it is what you teach.  I recommend a visit with the team manager to let him know that your son will pitch the way he has been taught and at this point, you really don't want any changing of his mechanics.  It just doesn't make sense.

For your info, I am a tall and fall guy. There is some drop in the back leg with the delivery, but nothing like the traditional drop and drive throwers.

I hope this helps.

Coach Boss

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  Do you know of any good videos/books or players for him to watch that tout/use the tall and fall method?  As any child would, he is placing a lot of "value" on what the coach had to say and obviously took what the guy had to say to heart.  On another note -- the coach was also having him to flat work instead of off the mound.  What are your thoughts on that?  Thanks again.

Answer
Working on flat ground is fine.  Most MLB pitchers throw a lot of flat ground.  We do it a lot in offseason.  In your case, you don't have a mound everywhere.  It is OK.  Bullpen practice is for working on mechanics and control.

Nolan Ryan's pitching bible is a great book.  Nolan Ryan had great mechanics.  He drops a little with the back leg, but he was great.  Johan Santana is the guy now.  

Good luck with this one.  If you have any other questions, let me know.

Coach Boss