A: It is recommended to practice softball pitching drills at least three times a week. A Power Push can help greatly to assist with correcting foot position. 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). Softball Pitching Drills - Hands-on Guide - International Softball #5. WORKOUT: (ALL PITCHES MUST BE THROWN USING THE NORMAL PITCHING ROUTINE). Dont use I couldnt find a catcher as an excuse not to workout your pitching arm. Make big, slow circles with each arm. Have the pitcher throw the same pitch several times and focus only on thelegs and especially the feet. 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. 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 Pitching Drills For Warm Up - YouTube International Softball 2023 All rights Reserved. The one I use is an inflatable Mickey Mouse. This guide provides hands-on instructions so that pitchers of all levels can better their core strength, control, and trajectory. You will be able to locate problems in the mechanics area a lot faster this way. This does a couple of different things. The pain is almost always due to a mechanical flaw in their motion. They dont just help get your body ready for the hard work of pitching, but also help create better throwing techniques. Continue moving back and increasing the arc of the pitch until you cannot get it across the plate anymore. 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. 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. Try this drill. But I digress. I like to start each pitching practice with the players playing the 3-ball game. These pitches are not thrown from the pitching stance. 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. Assistant Coach Sara Griffin, was working with the pitchers and she had them do a drill that I thought was really good. Then have her throw to the different lines on command. Draw a strike zone on the wall with chalk, the strike zone representing the pitchers height. There is one drawback. 7. Imagine a line from your feet to home plate. 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.) Then she immediately takes a step back with the back leg. Tip #1Attacking the HittersBy: Jocelyn ForestNew England Riptide Pitcher, National Pro Fastpitch. A: Some basic softball pitching drills include the balance point, arm circle, toe touch, and leg kick drills. You know, you squeeze them with your hand to increase your grip. 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. RELATED:Fastpitch Hitting Drills for Beginners. The speed will come as a result of the force, but focusing on speed will actually slow down your movements! You dont need a catcher, a coach or even a softball park to practice your pitching. Maximize your sports performance with advice from todays top coaches and elite athletes. Windmills are great for softball pitchers looking to get better! This will place the twine going over the exact center of the pitchers rubber. I'm super excited to be sharing this video with you all! Be careful not to get under the ball that will cause it to rise. If a pitcher throws every pitch at the same speed, no matter how fast that is, she gets pounded by the third inning. Just deliver the pitch in the location called and you have done your job. Otherwise you just might be waving goodbye to the ball as it leaves the park. 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. Increase rotation speed. These pitches are not thrown from the pitching stance. To improve power and accuracy, work on your mechanics. What I found by this, is that when they do actually pitch, they do not drop their shoulders and make that swooping motion. Post a video. To practice these pitches, control arm speed and ensure mechanics look like throwing a fastball. If so, stop and reset. Have her practice throwing at that speed until she can consistently come down on, or very near, the 80 percent line. MICKEY MOUSEThe only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. 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. This stretches shoulder muscles and helps them move freely when you throw. Tip #2Choosing the right pitch (Part 2 of 3 part series)By Michael CisnerosEditor, Softball Today Magazine. The only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. 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. Follow-through is key in any pitch. Stretch your thumb back so it is in line with your middle finger. Do 5 sets of fastball-change.6. 2a) Same as 2, but from a pitching motion. Cocking the wrist: Cocking the wrist also takes away power from your pitch it should stay relaxed and neutral. Take deep breaths and relax your muscles. Check out Ueno. Thanks to Duffy ONeill for the article and the tips. The one with two balls throws a pitch to the other, the receiving player must throw a pitch to the first. For even more softball training, check out softball video library. After it flies it's all for style points. Softball Pitching Power Drills - Softball Spot That same fast ball can be thrown at say, 55, 45 and 40mph. Try not to play slow stuff because that tends to slow down your workout pace. You want the distance to be from the rubber to where the batter would hit theball, usually around two feet in front of the back tip of home plate. Tip #3Training during your noncompetitive season?Pam Newton, ASA Junior Olympic Coach. If your pitcher is having problems with control, this is one area I would take a long look at. 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. 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. Softball Drills: Batting, Pitching, Fielding The trailing leg should stay bent at the knee. The way to do this is to have the wrist turn over very late in the pitch. Q: How often should I practice these drills? Anything that happens after release isn't changing the pitch. Again, have her throw the same pitch several times and then review the tapewith her. These drills help players of all ages and abilities. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. At first, these drills may be hard for some softball pitchers. But, well just keep that between you, me and the wall. Set-up: make a starting point by measuring six of your own foot lengths and mark the distance. 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). Place your mitt in a position where you can conceal your pitch signals. It is imperative that you start a 3 day per week running regime for long distance during this time. Measure your distance and next workout, try to beat the mark. Make sure that at each distance, the rotation and weight distribution is correct. Put a pile of single sheet newspapers in an area you would normally walk by the most times during the day. This motion does a couple of different things. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Focus your best on the first batter of every inning. 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. While doing this, emphasize the proper weight distribution. Softball Practice Drills for High School + College Players | Academy Here is a growing collection of softball drills so come back often to see what's cooking! 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. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Features . If the runner wins, their team gets one point. I hold my glove at a certain location and the pitch has to hit it without moving the glove. 1. Pitching Problems Part 1: The 5 Most Common Mechanical Issues This drill builds proper pitching mechanics and can be used by pitchers of any experience level. Mark that spot. Try very hard not to walk her.2. 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. 33.5K subscribers Former Texas A&M softball player and two-time All American Amanda Scarborough talks about the 3/4 pitching drill. Accessibility Statement. As Doug worded it to me when I first worked with him, think about most really good pitchers youve seen. Draw a line at that point. 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. You still have one more strike coming. 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. We got it/kicked it fair/foul Out, yes. We throw 10 to 15 pitches at this distance. It works Great!! Check out STACKs workouts and drills tailored specifically for hockey players. It goes like this: This drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. You are around 40 feet or so away and, lets face it, you have a ballcoming at your nose at 45 to 60mph. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. With practice, they will become easier and help maximize control over velocity and accuracy. With the line extended you will be able to tell,fairly well, if she is off the line. Now we have a taught power line from home plate to second base, except forthe 10 feet just in front of the rubber. Shift body weight onto the balls of the feet. 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. Lastly try side planks with single arm reaches and oblique twists for further multiplanar movement development. Practice using your fingertips to develop spin. DO NOT OVEREXERT!! She always has one in her hand. Batters rely and depend on timing the pitchers motions to make that big decision when to pull the trigger and start their swing. First arm curls. Maximize your performance with workouts, drills and advice from coaches and athletes from some of the top college wrestling programs in the nation in our wrestling training video library. Softball Pitching Drills: Accuracy, Speed, Endurance! If you are in a game and you get tense, try playing with the dirt in the pitchers circle. 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. Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. For more lacrosse training, nutrition and gear advice from the nations top coaches and players, see our lacrosse training videos. Have the catcher throw to 3rd who throws to 2nd who throws to SS who throws to 1st who throws to catcher. RELATED:Squash the Bug and Other Softball Batting Tips That Dont Work. Toss the ball slightly higher than your head and watch for proper spin. I have been pitching mens fastpitch now for almost 20 years. Drop elbows and deepen circle radius, doing this periodically during practice. Many coaches and players overlook the importance the glove hand plays in the ability to control the ball when pitching. Heres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. Kneel on your pitching-side knee when you face home plate, while you keep your body straight. This helps to ensure that the muscles used in pitching stay tuned and develop over time. Therefore, performing effective pitching drills will lead to more versatile, efficient, and speedy hurls needed to deliver an all-around powerful performance. In addition to STACKs wrestling workouts, we also provide plenty of nutrition advice to help wrestlers make and maintain weight throughout their training. 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. Hold one or two light medicine balls at chest level. This [tag]softball drill [/tag] helps pitchers realize the importance of staying balanced and in line upon release of the pitch. Sequence the riseball mechanics and locate the position when the wrist turns over. All Rights Reserved. It's a function of mechanics. . I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. 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. 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. FOREARM STRENGTHHeres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. Now have the pitcherreturn to the 100 percent mark and throw from there. The batters can sense your confidence and you have already won half the battle. When I was a kid I threw for an hour a day after school. Plank holds are a great drill for softball pitchers to boost core strength. coaching youth softball and where you can get softball drills and softball tips. I recently attended a clinic at Arizona State University that Linda Wells and her staff put on specifically for our team. Now measure the distance between the 40 percent mark and the 100 percent mark. What is the Supplement Inositol and What are its Benefits? Try utilizing the striped ball in your next practice and watch the throwing errors disappear! 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. The following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm strength. We dont want to teach her to drive and step back on every pitch. I have the pitchers throw over hand again to cool down once practice is done. Try this drill to improve follow-through accuracy and smoothness: Pitching practice done? The riseball is just the opposite from the peel drop. There is no drill. It will not allow the foot to improperly twist before push off. Result? 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. You can use PVC pipe, batting tees, or even hooks on a wall to fashion the ropes to your liking. And often, if they do get a hold of one, its nothing more than a foul 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. This will give the pitcher two speeds available for anyparticular pitch. . Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. **Pro tip**: Coordinate arm circles while hopping on one foot or both feet this enhances coordination between arms/legs when producing power. How To Increase Pitching Speed in Fastpitch Softball - Medium Then do the drill two more times with moderate intensity. Everyone waits for you. Peer pressure works wonders here. Take your time. In some situations, athletes gain an edge with prescribed use of safe supplements. If you have the room, do the long-toss drill. It will increase forearm strength also. Youll find the basketball workouts and drills youre looking for to take your game to the next level. Bend at the hips and knees to push off the mound like you would push off to. Divide that distance into three equal parts and draw a line at what would be the 60 percent and 80 percent distances. No shifting forward or backward. In fact, Ive been playing for over 10 years now! 10 Best Softball Throwing Drills for Kids | MOJO Sports You must log in or register to reply here. When done correctly, each pitcher can throw 50 pitches in a very short time. For More Speed - Finish the Pitch Great softball pitching hints and Use a weighted ball or medicine ball. Gradually speed up until you can complete the move without hesitation or inaccuracy at full speed. Make sure your weight is even in both feet. Clubs & Leagues . This starter program should go for 5 to 6 months for maximum results and convert to sprint training during season. Watch on. Then move back to the last sucessful toss and toss 3 more. You cannot deliver a quality pitch if you are tense.2. Running 20 to 30 minutes three times a week will help to build a strong mind and body. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. Have someone hold a shield to create resistance. Do not move the twinewhile sitting or kneeling. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and do an exaggerated windmill motion with your arms. Watch the placement of the glove, the angle of it, and the angle of the wrist. Even in practice, deliver each pitch from the normal pitching routine. Start with pitches right down the middle and then work the corners (inside and outside) also high and low. Register Log in 1 Nov 10, 2020 #11 S Stxdad Jun 24, 2019 162 28 So that's her style of finishing the pitch ? As you progress, when you catch the ball it will have more force behind it and you will be able to tell when you are throwing harder and faster. However, batters today are getting smarter and better and learning to go with those outside pitches. Repeat 15 times before transitioning into other cool down exercises such as shoulder shrugs and hip circles. The following youth softball pitching drills are designed to help players master the components of the pitch before putting the whole pitch together. There is also much that can be used for analysing apitcher from those angles. When the pitcher throws at that height over the plate, the umpire should call that pitch a strike. LONG TOSSThis drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. I have her stop at each section of the pitch so I can assure her and myself that her mechanics are correct.
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