softball pitching drills for staying tall

This way you give yourself a better chance for success even if the pitch you choose to swing at is not necessarily a good one. Keep momentum going and, Grab a batting tee and place it near home plate, about. And chances are the majority of those practice pitches will be bad pitches. -Then I stretch the string from home plate to the next nail in front of therubber and tie them off so the twine is taught. You can adjust the size and weight of the medicine ball to your skill level. You can use PVC pipe, batting tees, or even hooks on a wall to fashion the ropes to your liking. Proper nutrition provides athletes with the energy, nutrients and hydration they need to progress in their training and perform optimally. Work on accuracy first. After about 2 -4 times, the pitcher has increased the delivery distance and stretched further down/over. The following drills can help with pitching from the stretch: Change-ups surprise or fool batters and give an edge in a game. (The percentage is not accurate but I will use this as an estimate for arguments sake). 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. So I told her before she would get a new pair she would have to wear the toe out of the mids. Three-pump--standing in the start position, the pitcher does her . We dont want to teach her to drive and step back on every pitch. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'softballtutor_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-softballtutor_com-banner-1-0');KI recently attended a clinic at Arizona State University that Linda Wells and her staff put on specifically for our team. OFF SPEED PITCHINGTeaching your pitcher to throw Off-Speed. If the runner wins, their team gets one point. There is one drawback. #3. This is a really aggressive drill that needs to be more like a fast ball. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. Draw a strike zone on the wall with chalk, the strike zone representing the pitchers height. Just before landing on your glove side leg, turn the foot sideways to initiate your hips opening. The pitcher takes a bucket of balls and moves to a point just behind pitchers rubber. Engage your abs by pulling your navel towards your spine and shoulder blades together. Now you only swing at it on the third. Q: How often should I practice these drills? Then she immediately takes a step back with the back leg. It's good practice to have the pivot foot's arch meet the front edge of the plate so the ball of the foot can push-off. Keep a steady tempo, doing 10-15 reps. Take a few moments to stretch your arms, shoulders, pecs and traps. Focus your best on the first batter of every inning. Plank holds are a great drill for softball pitchers to boost core strength. THE WALL WORKOUTEvery 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. After 10 to 15 pitches from this distance, we move back to about 25 feet and throw at about 50% speed. . If it crosses the plate, move back 5 feet and toss another one. Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips for Beginners Part 1 | STACK You should be able to catch the returning ball without stepping left or right. Move back to 40 feet and throw 5-10 riseballs, peel drops and roll drops.5. coaching youth softball and where you can get softball drills and softball tips. Letting the young pitcher see it is always beneficial for them. Check out more workouts and drills in our soccer training video gallery. 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. JavaScript is disabled. The results have been remarkable!! Push through with elbow joint until full extension is achieved and snap your wrist down for whip action. International Softball is a fan-led softball blog and forum, sharing the latest tips, tricks and info to improve your game. If it crosses the plate, move back 5 feet and toss another one. The forefinger (the middle one) will be along the seam and the index finger under the forefinger ( basically the same grip as the rise). Roll your shoulders forward and then back. This is the most important aspect of throwing a breaking pitch. Do 10 rotations at your own pace. 2) From the pitching plate, the pitcher repeats drill 1, but with her full motion. I have my pitchers pitch from approximately 20 feet, 10 balls. Kneel on your pitching-side knee when you face home plate, while you keep your body straight. Peer pressure works wonders here. Keep your arms loose and relaxed. Gradually speed up until you can complete the move without hesitation or inaccuracy at full speed. The majority of control problems I see are directly related to 2 areas. Learn how elite athletes supercharge their performance by following scientifically-supported nutrition strategies. How To Increase Pitching Speed in Fastpitch Softball - Medium Try this drill to improve follow-through accuracy and smoothness: Pitching practice done? Start by standing with your arms down and palms inwards. But since it is practice, you will swing at them. Lets take the fast ball, the pitch you throw with your fast ball grip. 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).. 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. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! When a pitcher is experiencing soreness or pain stop immediately! Get a demo; Features; Pricing; Tournaments; FAQs; Coaches or Team Managers. A lot of pitchers get lazy, overlooking this mechanic, and then wonder what happened to their control. In this guide, well look at some warm-up drills for softball pitchers. I find that combining the short and long distances works on two things at the same timearm stength (speed) and accuracy. Hitting Drill - Homerun Derby by the . Also add trunk flexion/extension exercises like. Each dropped or errant throw costs that team a point the team with the least points wins. If your pitcher is having problems with control, this is one area I would take a long look at. of softball pitching, at the end of the stride the push-back against the stride leg serves as the resistance (or "reaction") for the action of the arm as it does its final downswing into the release of the pitch. If you are catching the pitcher, having that bright colored twine powerline, going from home plate to 10 feet in front of the rubber, will make itmuch easier to tell if the pitcher is off the power line without distractingyou from the ball coming at you. 3-2-1. The forefinger will peel the ball off sideways by using the seam, in effect spinning the ball. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! Cooling down drills decrease soreness, fatigue and boost flexibility. An 80mph pitch is not very impressive if you cant throw it for a strike. 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. I told her all the technical stuff on power and control but she kept doing that old bowlers hook kick during her delivery. Medicine ball throws are a great way to build it up. If you have the room, do the long-toss drill. Try this drill. If the pitcher throws too quickly without enough weight transfer, the pitch will go off target. Do 5-10 riseballs, peel drops, and roll drops.4. Relaxed and loose fingers will create more spin. Note that for this drill, it might be too advanced for some 8U players. Then be sure to check out Championship Coach Sue Enquists other Softball Coaching Videos! Balance drills may seem difficult at first. Looking for more awesome softball pitching drils? 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. In between each of these drills, I have the pitchers do weights with a 9 pound dumbbell. SEQUENCING THE RISEBALL MOTIONHere is a teaching aid I have had great results with recently for the riseball. Check out hockey drills and workouts from goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, defenseman Duncan Keith, the University of Michigan hockey team and others. Softball Practice Drills for High School + College Players | Academy The play does not start until you make a pitch. If it is not treated promptly, it will lead to a long rehab time and possibly something more serious. Take a piece of chalk and draw a strike zone box on the wall. They dont just help get your body ready for the hard work of pitching, but also help create better throwing techniques. This helps create more power and teaches you to adjust mechanics in any situation. With a runner on base, you cannot throw a pitch in the dirt. Finally we move to the regulation distance and throw 10 to 15 pitches at full speed. Make sure your weight is even in both feet. Increase rotation speed. I often see pitchers working the low outside corner (with say drops and curves) on Big hitters in order to keep them from getting the sweet part of the bat on the ball. For More Speed - Finish the Pitch Great softball pitching hints and To practice these pitches, control arm speed and ensure mechanics look like throwing a fastball. You can count on replacing Mickey about twice a season, but at about $5.00, it is a great tool! 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. When throwing a riseball or a peel drop (straight dropball) the pitcher and catcher should see a solid line as the ball flies toward the target. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Softball message board with discussions on softball hitting, softball pitching, coaching youth softball and where you can get softball drills and softball tips. I like to start each pitching practice with the players playing the 3-ball game. Arm circles are essential in any warm-up. Softball Pitching Drills JOE'S LONG TOSS The following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm strength. What is the Supplement Inositol and What are its Benefits? That samefast ball, thrown at a different speed, from one pitch to the next, forces the batter to have to stop and decide exactly when to start her swing. You dont need a catcher, a coach or a radar gun to workout and tell you if youre throwing faster. Pitching Ropes for Accuracy - Rita Lynn Gilman's Softball Pitching Tools In addition to STACKs wrestling workouts, we also provide plenty of nutrition advice to help wrestlers make and maintain weight throughout their training. PITCHERS WALLOne of the drills that I have the pitchers do is: Stand next to a wall, approximately 4 to 6 inches away, feet angled at a 45 degree, then go through the motion of either slingshot or windmill. This exercise will help improve stability, posture, and balance while pitching. 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. For drop balls, the weight must be on the front foot at release. Learn how to execute them precisely: Balance drills are must-have for any softball pitcher. Hold this position for 13 seconds. Set up three cones in a triangle formation, with each cone about 10 feet apart. This exercise will help improve stability, posture, and balance while pitching. Rotate through the pitch delivery. Pull out first base and put a 3-4 ft wooden pole (old broomstick or shovel handle) into the base peg hole and put a bucket over the top of the stick. These 10 throwing drills are player favorites and youth softball coach approved. While you are doing this, notice what it does to your forearm. Start by pulling your shoulders down, spine straight, arms at sides and palms down. Again, dont trade accuracy for speed. 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. Run and Drag Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. 3 KEYS TO PITCHINGThe secret to an effective softball career is muscle memory, which is obtained with the constant repetition of proper mechanics used in playing the game. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Bend at the hips and knees to push off the mound like you would push off to. Softball Pitching Drills: 3/4 drill - Amanda Scarborough 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. Mark that spot. They are invaluable. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. With content ranging from Abby Wambachs workout to the latest gear reviews to Real Salt Lakes speed training, theres something here for soccer players of all levels. #2. CURVEBALLAs far as drills for a curve the most useful is having the pitcher throw from the slingshot position. If so, stop and reset. Log in Find My Team. You can also divide the distance between the 40 percent and 100 percent lines into two equal parts and establish 40 percent, 70 percent and 100 percent distances. Basketball is a fast-paced sport that requires explosive strength, top speed, agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. Do 5-10 reps each way: forwards, backwards and side-to-side. I got this game from ASU Head Softball Coach Linda Wells. They loosen up the shoulder area and strengthen small muscles with precise movements. Have someone hold a shield to create resistance. I have had pitchers add between 2 & 4 feet to their delivery motion and end-up distance. 2023 Softball-Spot.com. Clubs & Leagues . The pitcher throws 8 pitches concentrating on reaching for the sky at the very top of the windmill. Enough said here!! Here are some drills you can use: High-leg kick drills are key for any softball pitcher. Warm-up with snap drills (3 ball drill) Do 25-50 snaps2. The best pitches a pitcher throws come from methodical practice designed to strengthen your pitching arm and develop your sense of timing. You cannot have your pitcher throwing pitches that cause damage to her arm or elbow. RELATED:Fastpitch Hitting Drills for Beginners. This drill is my favorite drill and it has really helped me. For rise balls, the weight must be on the trail foot and release must be against a firm and resistant front foot. This means, after warm-up, pitching 75-150 balls, hitting locations and working on rotations and if at all possible, throwing long toss. Place the pads of your fingers on the . Use this every time!! The one with two balls throws a pitch to the other, the receiving player must throw a pitch to the first. This is the kind of exercise that you hardly notice doing after awhile. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. The key to this is too have the wrist turn over and propel the ball with tons of rotation. At first, do not be concerned with accuracy. Products. This emphasises the full arm extension. 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. Spread feet apart in an athletic stance. 5 Drills for Hitting the Outside Pitch - Coaches Insider Result? Then in this position throw a minimum of 30 full-blast fastballs. Coaching Young Pitchers in Softball - Keep It Simple Look for something in a wider area and follow the same discipline. In addition, many dont use their back leg by driving it forward. Have 2 teams of 5 players 1 player at each infield position including catcher (but not pitcher). After all, most pitchers in NCAA D-III are very successful without a rise ball (though this is changing). You know, you squeeze them with your hand to increase your grip. The first 2 players to hit the bucket gets to be team captains for the scrimmage that day. Make sure you are using the correct form when throwing and practice frequently to build muscle memory and accuracy. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. You freeze in power K position where most of the postural issues present themselves. Practice slowly to embed the mechanics into muscle memory. Try utilizing the striped ball in your next practice and watch the throwing errors disappear! This is the most important aspect of throwing a breaking pitch. If she is not willing to sacrifice this time and effort, find another pitcher. They loosen the shoulder and get the blood flowing. However, batters today are getting smarter and better and learning to go with those outside pitches. This will relax you. 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. Best Softball Catching Skills, Drills & Tips | TeamSnap MOVEMENTTo work on movement pitches, I have my pitchers stand in a line a short distance from me in a power position (stride taken) and softly toss the ball using the proper rotation for peel drop, roll drop, and rise ball. In order to do this drill, the pitcher should be throwing at maybe 75%. If the pitch is not where you want it but is still a strike, dont worry. KIOTOU Softball Spinner, Pitcher Overhand Thrower Training Aid Equipment, Suitable for Sports Practice Softballs, Perfect for Top Collegiate Programs, Official Size and Weight, Velopro Softball Training Harness | Resistance Hitting & Pitching Trainer Adds 4-7MPH of Batting Power or Pitch Velocity | Improves Swing and Pitching Mechanics | Get Instant Feedback With Each Rep, GoSports 7 ft x 7 ft Baseball & Softball Practice Hitting & Pitching Net with Bow Type Frame, Carry Bag and Strike Zone, Great for All Skill Levels, SKLZ Hitting Stick Batting Swing Trainer for Baseball and Softball, 52-Inch Baseball Trainer, Power Pod Softball Training Aid Pitching Gear Pitch Equipment Trainer, Bullwhip The Baseball or Softball Pitching Training Aid - Pitching Trainer for Improving Arm Strength & Velocity - Perfect Pitching Mechanics for Beginners & Professionals Pitcher Training Equipment. Draw a line at that point. Next you will put your other knee facing home plate. For added resistance, hold a weight or medicine ball in front of your chest. To be a successful pitcher, you must take thatadvantage away form the batters. Drop elbows and deepen circle radius, doing this periodically during practice. -I will drive a 16 penny nail into the dirt just behind the back tip of homeplate. Repeat this ten times. Put your weight on the inside balls of your feet. They allow for your body to finish the motion. We try to end each of our practices with a speed/strength drill. Keep both toes and your navel toward the target and drag your shoe laces toward the target. A Power Push can help greatly to assist with correcting foot position. While doing this, emphasize the proper weight distribution. The top rope is the "set 'em up pitch.". To check a pitcher on the power line most folks will take their shoe anddraw a fat line in the dirt right in front of the rubber. To become a successful pitcher you must practice at least every other day. You still have one more strike coming. This will get everything ready for your next practice or game! SOFTBALL PITCHING DRILL FOR SPEED (Stacked Ball Drill) She hates them!!! The reason for this is that the pitcher is not waiting for a ball to be thrown to her. This will give the runner the next base. Arm circles are great after intense softball throwing drills. See how they can boost your playing skills! Then do the drill two more times with moderate intensity. You know, you squeeze them with your hand to increase your grip. These drills will increase muscle memory and create consistency. Softball Pitching Drills - Hands-on Guide - International Softball That same fast ball can be thrown at say, 55, 45 and 40mph. I am certain it will work for other pitches also. Injuries are part of the game, but in a pitcher they are nevitable. Then you will do the windmill motion. 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. Put your palms on the ground and bend your knees at 90 degrees. SOFTBALL PITCHING DRILL FOR SPEED (Stacked Ball Drill) - YouTube Drill designed to help pitcher focus on drag leg and engaging thigh and core muscles during pitching motion. It is done with both feet together. I have been pitching mens fastpitch now for almost 20 years. Softball Pitching Drills For Warm Up - YouTube The motion of the hands going forward as the stride is being taken helps move the body forward and helps elongate the stride, but the important job here is the aiming. Arm circles Arm circles are []. 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. 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. Use them in your next practice and then come back and share your results! If you cannot locate the problem, ask one of your assistant coaches to watch or take your pitcher to another coach. When the pitcher throws at that height over the plate, the umpire should call that pitch a strike. The pitcher should fall back along the straight line of force. Tip #3Training during your noncompetitive season?Pam Newton, ASA Junior Olympic Coach. 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. Now your one single fast ball can be disguised to look like three different pitches. As Doug worded it to me when I first worked with him, think about most really good pitchers youve seen. Bend at the hips and knees to push off the mound like you would push off to sprint or steal a base. Softball Pitching Need some drills or suggestions for 12yo DD BradB41 May 13, 2012 Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web. Once she can do this and come pretty close to the correct speed/line, she is ready to try it on the batters. 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. What I enjoy most about the sport is that its so versatile there are endless possibilities when it comes to tactics and game-play. 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. Softball Drills On Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Catching & Coaching #5. Partner drills can also help. Every coach needs new ideas to keep their players on their toes and practice interesting and fun. Place your mitt in a position where you can conceal your pitch signals. Find a concrete or foundation brick wall (preferably with no windows). As an example (R/H pitcher). !, but focus on the job at hand. I place a stripe right down the middle of the ball and use them in close rotational work to insure the proper rotation is being imparted to the ball. Maintain good posture, no bending at waist or bottom out in back foot during kick. This is especially true in younger pitchers (12-15). Softball pitching drill to help stay tall @elitesoftballtraining #Toti The focus of this drill is 100% power. The batters can sense your confidence and you have already won half the battle. There is no drill. Now take out a handkerchief (or towel) and have the coach stand directly in front of the pitcher. Tip #1Attacking the HittersBy: Jocelyn ForestNew England Riptide Pitcher, National Pro Fastpitch. 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. 1. Second, pitchers push the ball out of their hand, which reduces the spin applied to the ball and potential movement of the ball. Keep your form throughout. After it flies it's all for style points. Place three softballs about three-fourths of the way from third to home. Arm position should focus on reducing distance from glove to target. Train for wrestling with workouts that provide the explosive strength and power you need to take down an opponent. 2a) Same as 2, but from a pitching motion. Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. Every now and then, the pitchers hit Mickey on purpose. Step back slightly with one foot. Maximize your sports performance with advice from todays top coaches and elite athletes. Sue will share some great tips and softball pitching, hitting and much more! LONG TOSSThis drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. Next are butterflies, then wrist curls isolating just the wrist. I got this game from ASU Head Softball Coach Linda Wells. As far as in and out all you can do is try different release points, the more a pitcher throws the more comfortable and accurate she will become. Thanks to Duffy ONeill for the article and the tips. Advanced Drills - Fastpitch Power These pitches are not thrown from the pitching stance. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. While watching their mechanics, the coach will see where their front foot (delivery) foot lands and where their delivery hand lands. This is a difficult task, but a necessity. Two myfavorites came to me from Doug Gillis, US National Mens team member. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and do an exaggerated windmill motion with your arms. For even more softball training, check out softball video library. Concentrating on the proper position of the hand at the hip. This is great for increasing flexibility for softball pitching delivery. To make it harder, increase the duration or use hands held ab sliders. RELATED:Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips for Beginners. Warm-up Drills Warm-ups are a must for any pitcher! FOREARM STRENGTHHeres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. Cocking the wrist: Cocking the wrist also takes away power from your pitch it should stay relaxed and neutral. Assistant Coach Sara Griffin, was working with the pitchers and she had them do a drill that I thought was really good. WEIGHT BACKWe do a lot of drill work, along with pitching. Well-rounded programs also include Sports Psychology training. Set up and take your pitching stance with a ball and glove or bat. When youre balanced, move to an overhead position. See how they can boost your playing skills! Follow-through drills will help! Now, extend and contract the arms in circular motions like slicing a pizza! Most of your power comes from the drive. The only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. Now, with two strikes, you must hit anything that is a strike, but dont panic, look at it this way in the past you were swinging at this pitch on the first strike. They dont just help get your body ready for the hard work of pitching, but also help create better throwing techniques. Lastly try side planks with single arm reaches and oblique twists for further multiplanar movement development. Pitching when you are hurt will only make your injury worse.7. I hold my glove at a certain location and the pitch has to hit it without moving the glove. Once you have become consistent at doing that, then work on throwing harder. Check. This has increased velocity, improved mechanics, etc. It will increase forearm strength also. This helps with accuracy, speed and power. Do 25-50 locations3. To the batter it seems as though its that same pitch (the strike) over and over. This will impart some incredible rotation to the ball and will create remarkable movement. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. Even in practice, deliver each pitch from the normal pitching routine. Many coaches and players overlook the importance the glove hand plays in the ability to control the ball when pitching. The Correct Fastpitch Pitching Mechanics For Softball
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