This will reduce delayed movements, giving more accurate delivery. If they hit these locations in the 10 pitches or less, they are done, if not, they must go to the end of the line and try again. All Rights Reserved. Do 10 rotations at your own pace. I have been pitching mens fastpitch now for almost 20 years. When a pitcher is experiencing soreness or pain stop immediately! First arm curls. Three-pump--standing in the start position, the pitcher does her . -I then stretch the twine taught to the nail in front of 2nd base and tie itoff there. Learn how to execute them precisely: Balance drills are must-have for any softball pitcher. Then be sure to check out Championship Coach Sue Enquists other Softball Coaching Videos! Bend at the waist and lift arms up to shoulder-height. Next we throw 8 balls concentrating on arm speed. Again take three to four more giant steps back, mark your line, and throw from there. Now draw a line across the box dividing the zone into top and bottom halves. Each dropped or errant throw costs that team a point the team with the least points wins. You want the distance to be where the ball may or would be hit by the batter, about 1 foot in front of the plate. Finally I give the pitchers 10 pitches to hit 8 spots. I find that combining the short and long distances works on two things at the same timearm stength (speed) and accuracy. The intent is for pitchers to transfer the importance of that direct step and balance when they pitch from the pitching rubber. This will help you deal with pressure situations because all you need to do is to relax and deliver the pitch just like in practice.4. This helps create more power and teaches you to adjust mechanics in any situation. Injuries are part of the game, but in a pitcher they are nevitable. Softball pitching drill Part 2 Canyons - Official Sound Studio. Her landing might not be off by much and she might not be leaningmuch to compensate for it, maybe not enough to be evident from 40 feet awaywhen you are concentrating on catching the ball. Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. With the line extended you will be able to tell,fairly well, if she is off the line. Its important to get the balance between weight transfer and arm speed right. Every now and then, the pitchers hit Mickey on purpose. Softball Practice Drills for High School + College Players | Academy Arm circles Arm circles are []. -I will drive a 16 penny nail into the dirt just behind the back tip of homeplate. 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. This drill can increase your strength in the hand, wrist, and especially the forearm. Arm position should focus on reducing distance from glove to target. If you have just thrown a homerun ball or walked the last batter, Shake it off! I use an inflatable toy in pitching practice a lot. The process requires participants to understand and observe NCAA rules and regulations, conduct thorough research, schedule home and campus visits, network and communicate appropriately, and, for most student-athletes, engage in self-marketing. A lot of pitchers get lazy, overlooking this mechanic, and then wonder what happened to their control. 1a) Same drill, but when the pitcher drives the back knee to the front, she stays there, on balance, until the catcher throws the ball back. Having a thin and bright colored power line behind the pitcher will give youan exact reference point and you will see exactly where the stride footcomes down in relationship to the power line and any inconsistencies withthe feet. #2. Never let them see you sweat!!6. This emphasises the full arm extension. Windmills are great for softball pitchers looking to get better! The other thing you can do is take a lot of batting practice. Correcting Foot Turn in Pitching - Rita Lynn Gilman's Softball Pitching Partner drills can also help. 5 Drills for Hitting the Outside Pitch - Coaches Insider There are, obviously, many different approaches a pitcher can take to beat a good hitter. Toss the ball slightly higher than your head and watch for proper spin. The ball must have counter-clockwise rotation as viewed from 3rd base. 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. Members online 6 Guests online 124 Total . Tell the pitcher to do the pitching motion again, but this time to hit the handkerchief with their pitching hand. Return to starting position each repetition should take 23 seconds. To power workouts and games, and to ensure a strong recovery, elite athletes take care to eat properly and to hydrate before, during and after workouts and competitions. Bending the elbow: Instead of bending the elbow, keep the arm relaxed and neutral this slows down your pitch, which is the exact opposite of what you want in fastpitch softball. I was having a hard time breaking a bad habit of HOOK sliding the trailing foot on my 10 year old pitcher (who happens to be my daughter). If you are hurt, TELL THE COACHES. This website uses cookies and third party services. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. There is also much that can be used for analysing apitcher from those angles. Post a video. Watch on. I set Mickey in the batters box and call for inside drop balls (peel drop) and inside fastballs. Clubs & Leagues . Here is Ashley Holcombe's, a former catcher for Team USA, stance tips. This does a couple of different things. If your pitcher is having problems with control, this is one area I would take a long look at. Lets take the fast ball, the pitch you throw with your fast ball grip. Set-up: make a starting point by measuring six of your own foot lengths and mark the distance. The play does not start until you make a pitch. Sequence the riseball mechanics and locate the position when the wrist turns over. I have my pitchers pitch from approximately 20 feet, 10 balls. 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. 7. I recommend starting with a light weight (4 pound) dumbbell doing arm curls, butterflies, and wrist snaps in 10 rep sets. To improve power and accuracy, work on your mechanics. I'm super excited to be sharing this video with you all! Then drop both of your hands and pop your wrist and the ball should go right across the plate. Make sure the picture shows as much of the power line behind the rubber as you can get in the shot and still see the pitcher at least from the middle of the back down. Come back daily for basketball training videos and drills from some of the nations top basketball programs and advice from professional coaches and trainers. The pitcher takes a bucket of balls and moves to a point just behind pitchers rubber. I told her all the technical stuff on power and control but she kept doing that old bowlers hook kick during her delivery. -I will then drive a 16 penny nail, touching the twine, about 10 feet infront of the rubber. 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. WORKOUT: (ALL PITCHES MUST BE THROWN USING THE NORMAL PITCHING ROUTINE). USING THE POWER LINE FOR FINE TUNINGIf you are working with a pitcher and you are the one catching for her, itstough to see exactly what is going on with the stride foot when it touchesdown. This will place the twine going over the exact center of the pitchers rubber. This is especially true in younger pitchers (12-15). Do the first set from the mound with your power line. Have the pitcher throw at the top half of the zone at 100 percent full speed. Players build arm strength and throwing accuracy in this go-to game. Many pitchers will throw a certain pitch for an off-speed pitch and that is all. Pitching when you are hurt will only make your injury worse.7. When a pitcher is experiencing soreness or pain stop immediately! Move back to 40 feet and throw 5-10 riseballs, peel drops and roll drops.5. It will not take long for her to figure this out, as she will catch on to this quickly. Those of you who are not pitchers, please read the keys and apply the concepts to your position. One, use what I call the ever increasing strike zone: with no strikes on you, decide to hit a pitch only if it is in a specific zone for me it is chest high in front of the plate and if the ball is there, hit it, and more importantly if it isnt there, dont swing. Finally we put the whole thing together and throw 8 balls incorporating all the drills above. Have her practice throwing at that speed until she can consistently come down on, or very near, the 80 percent line. A: It is recommended to practice softball pitching drills at least three times a week. Keep your arms loose and relaxed. Spread your feet to be shoulder width apart. Measure your distance and next workout, try to beat the mark. There is no drill. Pitching Drills & Games (Guelph Minor Softball Association) From the most basic game of catch to games where players are making the out, young players will learn about proper form and, eventually, how to throw with some MOJO. Basketball is a fast-paced sport that requires explosive strength, top speed, agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. That same fast ball can be thrown at say, 55, 45 and 40mph. The results have been remarkable!! Finish up with 5 fastballs on the corners. Hold this position for 13 seconds. Have the catcher throw to 3rd who throws to 2nd who throws to SS who throws to 1st who throws to catcher. You still have one more strike coming. To up the intensity, add weight to your arms or speed up each set of 10. If not, correct it immediately, before moving on to the next distance. At first, do not be concerned with accuracy.