During batting practice, you will swing at hundreds of pitches, as opposed to the four that you swing at in a game. Do warm-up drills for softball pitching. 2023 Softball-Spot.com. Instead of the ball facing the batter when it is at the hip, the hand should be palm up to the sky and the ball laying in the hand so if you were to stop the motion the ball would stay in the hand. However, batters today are getting smarter and better and learning to go with those outside pitches. #5. Find a concrete or foundation brick wall (preferably with no windows). Heres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. If the ball hits it (which with young players is often) the ball drops straight down and does not deflect to the catcher (me). The following youth softball pitching drills are designed to help players master the components of the pitch before putting the whole pitch together. Work on stepping at or beyond this mark with your stride leg. WEIGHT BACKWe do a lot of drill work, along with pitching. Put a pile of single sheet newspapers in an area you would normally walk by the most times during the day. Pitching when you are hurt will only make your injury worse.7. After all, most pitchers in NCAA D-III are very successful without a rise ball (though this is changing). Through STACK, youll find the explosive workouts, conditioning and full-body strength training you need to get bigger, faster and stronger on the lacrosse field. Continue moving back and increasing the arc of the pitch until you cannot get it across the plate anymore. I like to start low and inside with a low rise or screwball for the first strike (getting that first pitch in there for a strike is extremely important and gives you as a pitcher more room to play.) Once she is consistent at 60 percent, have her do the same thing and have the ball return to the 80 percent mark by again applying the brakes to the last bit of the wind-up. 1) From an open-hipped position (front foot toward the target/catcher), the pitcher does a snap drill, driving the back knee in to the front knee. 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. 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. Softball Pitching Drills For Warm Up 52,679 views Jul 8, 2021 973 Dislike Share Save MegRem Softball 54.1K subscribers Audrey Broyles, former University of South Carolina pitcher, shows. Judge the stride length of your pitcher and you can extend that section ofthe line closer to the rubber than 10 feet but make sure it does not get soclose she lands on it or gets her feet caught up in it. Relaxed and loose fingers will create more spin. Start with pitches right down the middle and then work the corners (inside and outside) also high and low. Have the pitcher throw at the top half of the zone at 100 percent full speed. If you are in a game and you get tense, try playing with the dirt in the pitchers circle. Sue will share some great tips and softball pitching, hitting and much more! Be careful not to get under the ball that will cause it to rise. Arm circles are essential in any warm-up. Measure off the same distance you use at your level of play, from the pitchers rubber to home plate, then subtract 2 feet. Keep both arms extended throughout the move and. cvsoftball said: One tactic a winning pitcher will use is to throw off-speed pitches. It's a function of mechanics. At the higher levels, the slower pitches give the hitters time to reload and crush the ball, but at the younger levels (through high school) there is nothing more entertaining than watching the big floater baffle a batter., Improper ball rotation on the pitch can be corrected with several gadgets. Now, extend and contract the arms in circular motions like slicing a pizza! If she is not willing to sacrifice this time and effort, find another pitcher. Throw 5 change-ups, then throw fastball-change, fastball-change. Check out STACKs workouts and drills tailored specifically for hockey players. This stretches shoulder muscles and helps them move freely when you throw. This is great for increasing flexibility for softball pitching delivery. Arm circles are great after intense softball throwing drills. In between each of these drills, I have the pitchers do weights with a 9 pound dumbbell. What I found by this, is that when they do actually pitch, they do not drop their shoulders and make that swooping motion. Repeat this drill in both directions. You know, you squeeze them with your hand to increase your grip. While doing this, emphasize the proper weight distribution. While doing this, emphasize the proper weight distribution. 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. Here are some drills you can use: High-leg kick drills are key for any softball pitcher. The athletic recruiting process is a lot like dating, with college coaches/scouts and high-school student-athletes sizing each other up and searching for the right match. If 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. Place the pads of your fingers on the . The riseball is just the opposite from the peel drop. Now have the pitcherreturn to the 100 percent mark and throw from there. The first mistake is pivoting on your drive/drag leg, which limits the amount of power that can be transferred from your lower body into your pitches. For extra power, add bridges, planks, or sit ups. A: Some basic softball pitching drills include the balance point, arm circle, toe touch, and leg kick drills. They help the body to stay balanced when throwing a pitch. Pitchers need short memories. Kneel on your pitching-side knee when you face home plate, while you keep your body straight. Tip #2Choosing the right pitch (Part 2 of 3 part series)By Michael CisnerosEditor, Softball Today Magazine. This pain may also be caused by a muscle imbalance. Start with a triangle stance, with the weight slightly forward on the front foot. If she is not willing to sacrifice this time and effort, find another pitcher. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. Features . Assistant Coach Sara Griffin, was working with the pitchers and she had them do a drill that I thought was really good. After warming up with 3 ball we go directly to the tempo drills. A handball court wall is ideal. The speed will come as a result of the force, but focusing on speed will actually slow down your movements! Whether you want to become a stronger skater, develop your stick-handling skills, buy better gear or eat healthier, youll find everything you need at STACK.com. Letting the young pitcher see it is always beneficial for them. What is the Supplement Inositol and What are its Benefits? This will relax you. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. An 80mph pitch is not very impressive if you cant throw it for a strike. Arm circles Arm circles are []. Have 2 teams of 5 players 1 player at each infield position including catcher (but not pitcher). These drills help players of all ages and abilities. Set up your top rope approximately 25 inches off the ground, and a second rope 6 inches lower. The intent is for pitchers to transfer the importance of that direct step and balance when they pitch from the pitching rubber. Also add trunk flexion/extension exercises like. Again, dont trade accuracy for speed. Learn how to execute them precisely: Balance drills are must-have for any softball pitcher. The ball must have counter-clockwise rotation as viewed from 3rd base. Next we throw 8 balls concentrating on arm speed. As you bring your ball hand around toward the release point, push off the pitching rubber with your trail foot violently so it squares your body to the target. This drill can increase your strength in the hand, wrist, and especially the forearm. Draw it all the way across the strike zone box you chalked out. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. This will get everything ready for your next practice or game! Once youve built up your conditioning, check out some of our advanced volleyball drills and mental techniques. This drill can increase your strength in the hand, wrist, and especially the forearm. Squash the Bug and Other Softball Batting Tips That Dont Work, Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips for Beginners, Fun Basketball Drills That Improve Court Skills, The New Procedure Thats Revolutionizing ACL Surgery and Recovery, The Responsibilities of Parents in College Athletics Recruiting. This will be very evident in the rear view. The front upper arm should be close to the chest, with the elbow bent outward. Spread your feet to be shoulder width apart. 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. Place your mitt in a position where you can conceal your pitch signals. You dont need a pitching coach, or an expensive radar gun, to tell you if you are throwing harder than you were a few weeks ago. When the pitcher throws at that height over the plate, the umpire should call that pitch a strike. For added resistance, hold a weight or medicine ball in front of your chest. Make sure that at each distance, the rotation and weight distribution is correct. Assistant Coach Sara Griffin, was working with the pitchers and she had them do a drill that I thought was really good. Next, measure the distance from the wall to the point of what would be the regulation throwing distance for the pitchers level of play, then subtract two feet. Shift body weight onto the balls of the feet. But since it is practice, you will swing at them. Register Log in 1 Nov 10, 2020 #11 S Stxdad Jun 24, 2019 162 28 So that's her style of finishing the pitch ? Here is Ashley Holcombe's, a former catcher for Team USA, stance tips. Softball pitching drills are essential for success! The other thing you can do is take a lot of batting practice. Rotate outward, then inward. At first, do not be concerned with accuracy. 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 have my pitchers pitch from approximately 20 feet, 10 balls. 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. Move back to 40 feet and throw 5-10 riseballs, peel drops and roll drops.5. This can be done anywherein a car, bus, rain, snow, summer, winter, etc. Dont use I couldnt find a catcher as an excuse not to workout your pitching arm. I feel that every pitcher has to do some sort of weight training to increase her speed. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Warm-up with snap drills (3 ball drill) Do 25-50 snaps2. I have to remind my pitchers who are just now learning how to throw a rise ball, that the lower body mechanics for a rise ball should not be carried over to a fast ball. Stretch your thumb back so it is in line with your middle finger. When you watch a pitcher, a lot of times all you do is hear the slap of the glove on the thigh and think that the glove is used only as a way to make some noise, in order to perhaps distract the batter, or time the release of the ball. 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. Repeat this activity, but each time, the coach moves a distance farther from the pitcher. And often, if they do get a hold of one, its nothing more than a foul ball. The only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. Plank holds are a great drill for softball pitchers to boost core strength. To do a plank hold, start in a push-up position. Whats a good drill to teach young pitchers to stay tall after a pitch/release, DD started to lean after pitch was released, she wasnt doing it now shes starting to . Work on accuracy first. 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. Now the 5 series outside hitting drills: Feet Facing Forward - Upper Body Facing Plate: have your hitter use a batting T and a home plate, and start with her feet beside each other (spaced out) and facing forward while her chest faces the ball on the T. She works on hitting the ball off the T without moving her feet. She now has broken a bad habit and is on her way to a new pair of Nikes. Injuries are part of the game, but in a pitcher they are nevitable. With practice, they will become easier and help maximize control over velocity and accuracy. Result? Slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Do 5-10 reps each way: forwards, backwards and side-to-side. By taking things one component at a time, you can focus your team in . Remember, this game is for the players! This helps create more power and teaches you to adjust mechanics in any situation. Try this drill to improve follow-through accuracy and smoothness: Pitching practice done? She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! The glove allows the pitcher to grip the ball and, with some decrease in stride. Train for wrestling with workouts that provide the explosive strength and power you need to take down an opponent. Finally I give the pitchers 10 pitches to hit 8 spots. This helps with accuracy, speed and power. They are invaluable. Do 10 sets each leg with 1 minute rest between sets. To acheive our goal of the 12 oclock to 6 oclock rotation on the ball as it travels to home plate, we use hockey pucks, rolls of tape and even cocktail peanut cans (for the cans, you need to add weight by stuffing them with bunched up paper, or sawdust, then tape extensively).. Every coach needs new ideas to keep their players on their toes and practice interesting and fun. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. SQUEEZERI have been pitching mens fastpitch now for almost 20 years. This is the kind of exercise that you hardly notice doing after awhile. Softball Pitching Drills JOE'S LONG TOSS The following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm strength. Have you pitcher take a pitching position with the power line exactly underthe center of her body, feet equally far from the power line to each side. Spin and velocity are the lifeblood of a softball pitcher. To make it harder, increase the duration or use hands held ab sliders. Make sure your body is straight from head to feet and back is not arched or sagging. Keep leg strength in the plant leg when throwing, belly button towards catchers glove, and back facing target after the strike. Stretch and rotate arms in both directions. Place three softballs about three-fourths of the way from third to home. A Power Push can help greatly to assist with correcting foot position. Next is stride. -I will drive a 16 penny nail into the dirt just behind the back tip of homeplate. Run and Drag Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. A: It is recommended to practice softball pitching drills at least three times a week. To up the intensity, add weight to your arms or speed up each set of 10. Weight should be directed towards the power line, as this will help with accuracy. 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. There are two ways to avoid doing this. Make sure your weight is even in both feet. -Then I drive nails just behind the rubber and just in front of 2nd base. OFF SPEED PITCHINGTeaching your pitcher to throw Off-Speed. 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. Extend your glove side leg while dragging the toe of your throwing side leg. 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. Go through your relaxation routine. Queen Of The Hill Review. Starting the same as Run and Drag Drill, drive off the mound, keeping your toes and navel toward the target. Next, larger and smaller circles (15 secs each). 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. Have the pitcher throw her fast ball, the pitch she throws with her fast ball grip. Every time you walk by, grab a sheet and wad it up, using only one hand. They are invaluable. The following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm strength. Figure out a routine for yourself to follow for practice and games. CURVEBALLAs far as drills for a curve the most useful is having the pitcher throw from the slingshot position. Softball Skills and Training Softball Pitching Staying "tall" Stxdad Nov 9, 2020 Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web. Never stare at the line, always watch theball during a pitch. On your way around stop your left hand right above your knee. TAKE AIM WITH YOUR GLOVEMany coaches and players overlook the importance the glove hand plays in the ability to control the ball when pitching. Remember, to give up a handful of accuracy for a pinch more speed, is NEVER a good trade. Make sure these two areas are correct and your pitcher will have much better control, and, in turn, will be more effective. This drill is the second drill in the "end game" series, and this continues to work on arm path, proper body positioning, but now we are getting the legs a little more involved! But if youre going to go inside on a big hitter, youve GOT to make sure you get that ball INSIDE and be careful not to hang the pitch over the plate. If any other rotation is being imparted to the ball, the ball will not drop. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. No shifting forward or backward. Never let them see you sweat!!6. Im passionate about helping others get into the game and teach them a thing or two while Im at it. Now your one single fast ball can be disguised to look like three different pitches. And that is OK; by hitting bad pitches in practice you slowly figure out that hitting short pitches allows you to drive the ball back through the middle, that in addition to hitting outside deep pitches to right field you can use an inside-out swing to hit inside short pitches down that line as well, or that flat pitches are easy to hit into the corner down the left field line.
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