Looking for more awesome softball pitching drils? As Doug worded it to me when I first worked with him, think about most really good pitchers youve seen. One player has one ball, the other player has 2 balls. Again, dont trade accuracy for speed. Peer pressure works wonders here. Extreme Catch. 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. This is the best way I have ever found to train a pitcher to throw one pitch at different speeds (an off-speed pitch). Assistant Coach Sara Griffin, was working with the pitchers and she had them do a drill that I thought was really good. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. Keep your arms loose and relaxed. This pain may also be caused by a muscle imbalance. HAVE FUN! Set-up: make a starting point by measuring six of your own foot lengths and mark the distance. Core strength drills are crafted to help pitchers increase power, accuracy, and speed. To do a plank hold, start in a push-up position. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. She now has broken a bad habit and is on her way to a new pair of Nikes. Here are some cool down drills to use post-pitching session. For drop balls, the weight must be on the front foot at release. Three-pump--standing in the start position, the pitcher does her . 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. Come back daily for basketball training videos and drills from some of the nations top basketball programs and advice from professional coaches and trainers. Bend at the hips and knees to push off the mound like you would push off to sprint or steal a base. 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.) The front upper arm should be close to the chest, with the elbow bent outward. Starting the same as Run and Drag Drill, drive off the mound, keeping your toes and navel toward the target. Then I like to climb the ladder, meaning, throw the next pitch slightly higher than the one before. Rotate outward, then inward. The pitcher should fall back along the straight line of force. Repeat this activity, but each time, the coach moves a distance farther from the pitcher. Softball Pitching Drills "Hit the Bucket" Drill 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. They help stabilize pitching motion and focus on refining technique. Windmills are great for softball pitchers looking to get better! At first, do not be concerned with accuracy. If you are in a game and you get tense, try playing with the dirt in the pitchers circle. Need some drills or suggestions for 12yo DD | Discuss Fastpitch You still have one more strike coming. Softball Catcher Drills Professional Guide. 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. After about 2 -4 times, the pitcher has increased the delivery distance and stretched further down/over. 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. Keep momentum going and, Grab a batting tee and place it near home plate, about. 2023 Softball-Spot.com. !, but focus on the job at hand. It will not allow the foot to improperly twist before push off. It will increase forearm strength also. Sequence the riseball mechanics and locate the position when the wrist turns over. This can be done anywherein a car, bus, rain, snow, summer, winter, etc. This is great for increasing flexibility for softball pitching delivery. LONG TOSSThis drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. Proper pitching technique and core strength are must-haves for mastering softball pitching. For extra power, add bridges, planks, or sit ups. Two myfavorites came to me from Doug Gillis, US National Mens team member. Have the pitcher throw the same pitch several times and focus only on thelegs and especially the feet. For some pitchers, this motion is shortened and they come right out of the glove. During this drill, the player snaps her wrist as quickly and violently as possible. Start with pitches right down the middle and then work the corners (inside and outside) also high and low. Well-rounded programs also include Sports Psychology training. Relaxed and loose fingers will create more spin. DO NOT USE A STUCCO WALL a stucco wall is only around 1 inch thick and will be damaged. If a pitcher throws every pitch at the same speed, no matter how fast that is, she gets pounded by the third inning. Now wehave established the 40 per cent mark. Now have the pitcherreturn to the 100 percent mark and throw from there. Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills - Balance - Softball Spot Find a concrete or foundation brick wall (preferably with no windows). #2. 3-2-1. 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. Its great to have friends with similar interests, dont you think? You will both be very surprised at how much you can tell aboutthe pitchers motions when you see it from behind. 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. The play does not start until you make a pitch. This will give the runner the next base. These drills will increase muscle memory and create consistency. The following drills can help with pitching from the stretch: Change-ups surprise or fool batters and give an edge in a game. The Drill: The best drill (in my opinion) that can help with posture is the first stage of the "reach, track, fire" drills. CURVEBALLAs far as drills for a curve the most useful is having the pitcher throw from the slingshot position. With a runner on base, you cannot throw a pitch in the dirt. This is especially true in younger pitchers (12-15). Slowly lower the leg, maintaining the same distance between it and the leading foot. Cooling down drills decrease soreness, fatigue and boost flexibility. 2) From the pitching plate, the pitcher repeats drill 1, but with her full motion. 8U, 10U, 12U Softball Drill #2: Jump-back Tee Drill The second drill is a fun softball hitting drill that I call the "Jump Back Drill." Once again, developing body awareness is the critical element for this drill. Try these drills to help learn change-up mechanics: Perfecting your softball pitching motion? You freeze in power K position where most of the postural issues present themselves. Im a keen athlete myself; I like to train regularly and spend time socialising outside of softball too. Tip #2Choosing the right pitch (Part 2 of 3 part series)By Michael CisnerosEditor, Softball Today Magazine. These pitches are not thrown from the pitching stance. 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. There are, obviously, many different approaches a pitcher can take to beat a good hitter. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. 10+ Best Fastpitch Softball Drills & Tips In 2023 | JustBats Concentrating on the proper position of the hand at the hip. This helps with accuracy, speed and power. I recently attended a clinic at Arizona State University that Linda Wells and her staff put on specifically for our team. Maximize your sports performance with advice from todays top coaches and elite athletes. They may be able to see something you cannot! For even more volleyball training content, check out our volleyball video library. Proper nutrition provides athletes with the energy, nutrients and hydration they need to progress in their training and perform optimally. Keep eyes forward, head level, chest slightly raised, hips loose, hips square to batting zone. If it crosses the plate, move back 5 feet and toss another one. Keep both toes and your navel toward the target and drag your shoe laces toward the target. After checking out the baseball workouts on STACK.com, browse through the articles and videos below for drills, advice, and motivation from some of the nations top coaches, college baseball programs, and elite athletes. 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! 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. Again, have her throw the same pitch several times and then review the tapewith her. I have spoken to a lot of coaches who have had players experience this injury. Enough said here!! #7. This [tag]softball drill [/tag] helps pitchers realize the importance of staying balanced and in line upon release of the pitch. I have found it is effective to throw all of your different pitches atdifferent speeds, from one pitch to the next. This stretches shoulder muscles and helps them move freely when you throw. Now your one single fast ball can be disguised to look like three different pitches. Pitching when you are hurt will only make your injury worse.7. First arm curls. "Stay Tall" | Discuss Fastpitch Softball Community Remember, to give up a handful of accuracy for a pinch more speed, is NEVER a good trade. Set up three cones in a triangle formation, with each cone about 10 feet apart. If she goes to either side, she was off-stride or off-balance. Im passionate about helping others get into the game and teach them a thing or two while Im at it. Make sure your body is straight from head to feet and back is not arched or sagging. Helping. Therefore, a leaping-style pitcher musthave a strong, fast push-off Good muscle memory is gained by drills, drills and more drills. 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. Most of your power comes from the drive. 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. The drills should be done with some purpose. Every time you walk by, grab a sheet and wad it up, using only one hand. You are around 40 feet or so away and, lets face it, you have a ballcoming at your nose at 45 to 60mph. This is OK and itwill help the pitcher, however, it seldom gives the person catching a goodpoint of reference to see EXACTLY where the foot comes down. Shoulder rolls are a great start. If the pitch is not where you want it but is still a strike, dont worry. You dont need a catcher, a coach or even a softball park to practice your pitching. This drill helps improve infielder footwork and agility. The way to do this is to have the wrist turn over very late in the pitch. 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. Try not to play slow stuff because that tends to slow down your workout pace. They dont just help get your body ready for the hard work of pitching, but also help create better throwing techniques. Make sure your pitcher is pointing her glove at the target with the wrist pointing up, which will in turn point the glove webbing straight up. Once she can do this and come pretty close to the correct speed/line, she is ready to try it on the batters. Rewind the tape and watch it a few more times and you might also discoverthe pitcher leaning at the waist to the opposite side of the power line totry and compensate for the error and still hit reasonably close to thetarget. Products. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. Place a runner and a fielder both on third base. 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). Remember, this game is for the players! Gradually speed up until you can complete the move without hesitation or inaccuracy at full speed. The glove allows the pitcher to grip the ball and, with some decrease in stride. There are two ways to avoid doing this. There is a lotof room for error. Try this drill. One thing that I believe helped me was one of those squeezer deals. Next we throw 8 balls concentrating on arm speed. The one with two balls throws a pitch to the other, the receiving player must throw a pitch to the first. In some situations, athletes gain an edge with prescribed use of safe supplements. Repeat this ten times. Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. During batting practice, you will swing at hundreds of pitches, as opposed to the four that you swing at in a game. PITCHING GADGETSThese drills were taken from an article written by Duffy ONeill, Pitching Coach of the Ohio Emeralds, One of my favourite gadgets is one I call the changeup glove. In reality it is an old bowling glove which locks the pitchers wrist so that she cannot snap it. I told her all the technical stuff on power and control but she kept doing that old bowlers hook kick during her delivery. It goes like this: This drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. One tactic a winning pitcher will use is to throw off-speed pitches. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! Draw a line on the ground where she starts that pitch. coaching youth softball and where you can get softball drills and softball tips. When a pitcher is experiencing soreness or pain stop immediately! Coaching Young Pitchers in Softball - Keep It Simple Heres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. 2a) Same as 2, but from a pitching motion. If the line wavers or is non-existant, the rotation is incorrect and more rotational work is needed. TAKE AIM WITH YOUR GLOVEMany coaches and players overlook the importance the glove hand plays in the ability to control the ball when pitching. 5 Drills for Hitting the Outside Pitch - Coaches Insider Work on accuracy first. One 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. Training refers to the workouts, exercises and drills they perform outside of organized practices to improve their Strength, Speed, Conditioning and Flexibility, as well to rehab and prevent injury. Use a weighted ball or medicine ball. Do not move the twinewhile sitting or kneeling. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. This can be done anywherein a car, bus, rain, snow, summer, winter, etc. It provides control in crucial game situations. If she is not willing to sacrifice this time and effort, find another pitcher. This tool is specifically meant to help your pitcher feel a good load and get a really STRONG push and glide off the rubber! First we throw 8 balls into a net concentrating on wrist snap. This exercise will help improve stability, posture, and balance while pitching. To make it harder, increase the duration or use hands held ab sliders. Learn how to execute them precisely: Balance drills are must-have for any softball pitcher. They are invaluable. Arm circles are essential in any warm-up. It goes like this: Start out in the K position. An accurate throw will return straight back to you. Anything that happens after release isn't changing the pitch. After that, we do one I call Reach For The Sky. Time to cool down the arm! Softball Pitching Power Drills - Softball Spot 33.5K subscribers Former Texas A&M softball player and two-time All American Amanda Scarborough talks about the 3/4 pitching drill. 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. Keep legs rigid and arms relaxed. 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. 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. What's a good drill to teach young pitchers to stay tall after a pitch/release, DD started to lean after pitch was released, she wasn't doing it now she's starting to . And dont forget to Like Us on Facebook, where we share more great drills, tips and suggestions. And often, if they do get a hold of one, its nothing more than a foul ball. This will be very evident in the rear view. The majority of control problems I see are directly related to 2 areas. The focus of this drill is 100% power. 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.