It is OK to take a strike; hitting the pitch just because it is a strike lowers your chances of getting a hit because the pitch was not what you were looking for. Draw a line at that point. Now your one single fast ball can be disguised to look like three different pitches. For some pitchers, this motion is shortened and they come right out of the glove. Arms up to chest level. I recommend starting with a light weight (4 pound) dumbbell doing arm curls, butterflies, and wrist snaps in 10 rep sets. This is the position your body is in when you have taken your stride toward the plate, your glove hand is pointing toward the target and your ball hand is at its highest point. Plank holds are a great drill for softball pitchers to boost core strength. The majority of control problems I see are directly related to 2 areas. Then it might not be an issue. Pitchers need short memories. Im a keen athlete myself; I like to train regularly and spend time socialising outside of softball too. Throughout, keep eyes focused on a target ahead. RELATED:Fastpitch Hitting Drills for Beginners. This drill helps improve control and accuracy by teaching. Too much weight transfer will mean not enough force behind the pitch, making accuracy suffer. This is the most important aspect of throwing a breaking pitch. Have her throw a pitch at 100 percent, then 60 percent, 100 percent, 80 percent, 80 percent, 60 percent, 60 percent, 100 percent, 60 percent, etc. You will definitely see itshow up from behind when you have 100% attention on her feet and the powerline. STACK has the volleyball drills and workouts you need to take your game to the next level. That same fast ball can be thrown at say, 55, 45 and 40mph. Copyright 2023 STACK Powered by Stack Sports. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. Arm extension is essential for successful pitching. Now, have the pitcher throw her slowest change-up several times and draw a line at an average distance where the ball comes back and hits the ground. Try utilizing the striped ball in your next practice and watch the throwing errors disappear! To be a successful pitcher, you must take thatadvantage away form the batters. Here are two simple drills we do every day to keep weight back, have a firm front leg, drive the back leg and stay on the line of force (all in one drill). An 80mph pitch is not very impressive if you cant throw it for a strike. Once they bite, I continue to climb. Its important to get the balance between weight transfer and arm speed right. These are ladies, not weight lifters. If your pitcher is having problems with control, this is one area I would take a long look at. Have her practice throwing at that speed until she can consistently come down on, or very near, the 80 percent line. Pitching from the stretch is an essential skill for all pitchers. This will make it second nature for games! The stripe gives instant feedback to the player and is easy for the catcher to see and determine what rotation has been imparted to the ball. When a pitcher is experiencing soreness or pain stop immediately! The release of the ball is incorrect due to the pitcher working on the riseball, (that is another discussion for another time), and the pitcher not using her glove to aim at the target. I am certain it will work for other pitches also. Using this exercise really helped me in my pitching. They help with timing, muscle control and add speed to a pitch. Every pitcher has one problem in common; sometimes you need or want to practice your pitching and cant come up with anyone to catch for you. Spin and velocity are the lifeblood of a softball pitcher. Just deliver the pitch in the location called and you have done your job. There is a lotof room for error. Arm circles are great after intense softball throwing drills. If the wrist on the glove hand is pointing to one side, chances are very good that they will be throwing to that side of the plate. Whether you want to become a better infielder, develop your bunt technique or increase pitching power, youll find videos, articles and interviews with some of the games top minds to help you become a better player. You can use PVC pipe, batting tees, or even hooks on a wall to fashion the ropes to your liking. Keep legs rigid and arms relaxed. I hope that this helps someone in their pitching practice.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'softballtutor_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-softballtutor_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); STRIPED BALL FOR PITCHINGI have a few striped balls in my pitching bag for use when teaching the roll drop and the riseball. Finally we move to the regulation distance and throw 10 to 15 pitches at full speed. Each dropped or errant throw costs that team a point the team with the least points wins. Just before landing on your glove side leg, turn the foot sideways to initiate your hips opening. Be careful not to get under the ball that will cause it to rise. Have her practice that until she can consistently throw it to where the ball comes off the wall and lands on, or very near, the 60 percent line. As an example (R/H pitcher). The focus of this drill is 100% power. After warming up with 3 ball we go directly to the tempo drills. For rise balls, the weight must be on the trail foot and release must be against a firm and resistant front foot. Measure your distance and next workout, try to beat the mark. There are, obviously, many different approaches a pitcher can take to beat a good hitter. This will relax you. -I will drive a 16 penny nail into the dirt just behind the back tip of homeplate. Bend at the hips and knees to push off the mound like you would push off to. Many pitchers will throw a certain pitch for an off-speed pitch and that is all. Finish up with 5 fastballs on the corners. This means, after warm-up, pitching 75-150 balls, hitting locations and working on rotations and if at all possible, throwing long toss. Have the pitcher gently put on the brakes at the end of the wind-up so the ball only returns as far as the 60 percent mark. To do a plank hold, start in a push-up position. It goes like this: This drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. Get a demo; Features; Pricing; Tournaments; FAQs; Coaches or Team Managers. The pitcher throws 8 pitches concentrating on reaching for the sky at the very top of the windmill. When the drill starts, the runner on third must make it to second base before the fielder can retrieve and throw all three balls to second base. The one with two balls throws a pitch to the other, the receiving player must throw a pitch to the first. Hi, my name is Sophie and I love playing softball. Infield Throwing Drill 2 by Pete Sprenkle. Here is a teaching aid I have had great results with recently for the riseball. Keep eyes forward, head level, chest slightly raised, hips loose, hips square to batting zone. Do 10 rotations at your own pace. I recently had the privilege of trying out a really cool pitching tool called the Queen of the Hill! You will both be very surprised at how much you can tell aboutthe pitchers motions when you see it from behind. If not, correct it immediately, before moving on to the next distance. Here is a growing collection of softball drills so come back often to see what's cooking! Using this exercise really helped me in my pitching. MICKEY MOUSEThe only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. RELATED:Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips for Beginners. This will impart some incredible rotation to the ball and will create remarkable movement. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'softballtutor_com-box-4','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-softballtutor_com-box-4-0');JOES LONG TOSSThe following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm strength. Do 25-50 locations3. Running 20 to 30 minutes three times a week will help to build a strong mind and body. With 99% of your attention devoted to catching the ball and not getting hit,it is very hard to try and focus on the pitchers feet to see exactly whereshe is on the power line. Then draw a line through the box, going from left to right, at the same height as the belt on your waist. This will enable you to field your position and protect you from line-drives back at you.3. When one of my pitchers is having a tough time getting her riseball to move, I have her go through her pitching motion in super slow motion. she can throw with the same motion as her fastball and still have a perceptible decrease in speed., These pitches can range from slightly offspeed to one that have almost a slowpitch arc to them. When you bust a batter hard and inside it is difficult for them to get their bat head around and/or to get extended on the ball. As far as drills for a curve the most useful is having the pitcher throw from the slingshot position. If you are prepared and relaxed, you will be confident. Most have their weight back and, when throwing a rise, almost falling or stepping back. I went back and viewed old game tapes, Michele Smith, Susie Parra and other instructional tapes. Im passionate about helping others get into the game and teach them a thing or two while Im at it. TEMPOI like to start each pitching practice with the players playing the 3-ball game. Softball Pitching 107; Softball Throwing 20; Products Club or League Administrators. -I then stretch the twine taught to the nail in front of 2nd base and tie itoff there. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. There is one drawback. Give them a go! We dont want to teach her to drive and step back on every pitch. These drills were taken from an article written by Duffy ONeill, Pitching Coach of the Ohio Emeralds. Three-pump--standing in the start position, the pitcher does her . With practice, they will become easier and help maximize control over velocity and accuracy. Again take three to four more giant steps back, mark your line, and throw from there. Cocking the wrist: Cocking the wrist also takes away power from your pitch it should stay relaxed and neutral. The secret to an effective softball career is muscle memory, which is obtained with the constant repetition of proper mechanics used in playing the game. I like for the players to make a mark in the dirt for her stride on the first pitch and then try to beat her mark. Make sure you are using the correct form when throwing and practice frequently to build muscle memory and accuracy. #5. Find a solid concrete or foundation brick wall; a handball court wall is ideal. The top rope is the "set 'em up pitch.". When I have a pitching student that I want to fine tune them, ( because ofproblems staying on the power line) here is what I do. The pitcher takes a bucket of balls and moves to a point just behind pitchers rubber. A: Some basic softball pitching drills include the balance point, arm circle, toe touch, and leg kick drills.