For this drill, the pitcher should only throw to the top half of the zone. The results have been remarkable!! Next we throw 8 balls concentrating on arm speed. For added resistance, hold a weight or medicine ball in front of your chest. 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. This does a couple of different things. The pitcher throws 8 pitches concentrating on reaching for the sky at the very top of the windmill. Use a weighted ball or medicine ball. If she is not willing to sacrifice this time and effort, find another pitcher. This guide provides hands-on instructions so that pitchers of all levels can better their core strength, control, and trajectory. But I digress. Q: What are some basic softball pitching drills? Then it might not be an issue. 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. Take your time. I have the pitchers throw over hand again to cool down once practice is done. If you have the room, do the long-toss drill. Measure your distance and next workout, try to beat the mark. Enough said here!! If any other rotation is being imparted to the ball, the ball will not drop. JavaScript is disabled. Register Log in 1 2 3 6 Next Mar 2, 2020 #1 T Texas McE Oct 11, 2019 38 8 Please help. Set up three cones in a triangle formation, with each cone about 10 feet apart. RELATED:Squash the Bug and Other Softball Batting Tips That Dont Work. Once she can do this and come pretty close to the correct speed/line, she is ready to try it on the batters. Keep momentum going and, Grab a batting tee and place it near home plate, about. 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. Pitching gurus, Need advice with pitching style Pitchers Beware~ a post about Being Ready. Here is a teaching aid I have had great results with recently for the riseball. Hold the position for 30-60 seconds or as long as you can keep the form. Shoulder rolls are a great start. This emphasises the full arm extension. Partner drills can also help. Basketball is a fast-paced sport that requires explosive strength, top speed, agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. Draw a line at that point. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. 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. 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! Remember, to give up a handful of accuracy for a pinch more speed, is NEVER a good trade. The first 2 players to hit the bucket gets to be team captains for the scrimmage that day. Roll your shoulders forward and then back. I recently had the privilege of trying out a really cool pitching tool called the Queen of the Hill! They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. Here are some cool down drills to use post-pitching session. This has increased velocity, improved mechanics, etc. At first, these drills may be hard for some softball pitchers. Home Softball Drills Softball Pitching Drills 3 Softball Pitching Drills for Accuracy! Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. With a runner on base, you cannot throw a pitch in the dirt. Do not let pride stand in the way of producing a Great Athlete. The forefinger will peel the ball off sideways by using the seam, in effect spinning the ball. Practice slowly to embed the mechanics into muscle memory. 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.
Effective 8U, 10U & 12U Fastpitch Softball Drills - Covey Sports Good muscle memory is gained by drills, drills and more drills. You can adjust the size and weight of the medicine ball to your skill level. 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. Start with pitches right down the middle and then work the corners (inside and outside) also high and low. Rotate through the pitch delivery. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. Arms up to chest level. If the runner wins, their team gets one point. Imagine a line from your feet to home plate. Players build arm strength and throwing accuracy in this go-to game. If you cannot locate the problem, ask one of your assistant coaches to watch or take your pitcher to another coach. With practice, they will become easier and help maximize control over velocity and accuracy. Teaching your pitcher to throw Off-Speed. Online statistics. Before each pitch take, a deep breath, wink or do whatever is comfortable in order to get relaxed. Cooling down drills decrease soreness, fatigue and boost flexibility. Keep leg strength in the plant leg when throwing, belly button towards catchers glove, and back facing target after the strike. As an example (R/H pitcher). Do 5 sets of fastball-change.6. 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. Do 10 rotations at your own pace. The reason for this is that the pitcher is not waiting for a ball to be thrown to her. #3.
3 Killer Softball Pitching Drills for Accuracy! Keep a steady tempo, doing 10-15 reps. Take a few moments to stretch your arms, shoulders, pecs and traps. In addition, many dont use their back leg by driving it forward. Have her throw a pitch at 100 percent, then 60 percent, 100 percent, 80 percent, 80 percent, 60 percent, 60 percent, 100 percent, 60 percent, etc. In between each of these drills, I have the pitchers do weights with a 9 pound dumbbell. Finish up with 5 fastballs on the corners. For rise balls, the weight must be on the trail foot and release must be against a firm and resistant front foot. You cannot deliver a quality pitch if you are tense.2. 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. Use this every time!! The other thing you can do is take a lot of batting practice. The Drill: The best drill (in my opinion) that can help with posture is the first stage of the "reach, track, fire" drills. Keep your arms loose and relaxed.
Softball Pitching Power Drills - Softball Spot Keep eyes forward, head level, chest slightly raised, hips loose, hips square to batting zone. It will increase forearm strength also. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. She always has one in her hand. Learn how elite athletes supercharge their performance by following scientifically-supported nutrition strategies. Sports performance training is the physical and mental process of working toward specific athletic, performance or fitness goals through a regimented program. Im a keen athlete myself; I like to train regularly and spend time socialising outside of softball too. Former is an issue, latter could be preference / style, but may also be indicative of issues further up the chain. Video tape your pitcher if you cannot see this motion and run it back slowly. Tip #3Training during your noncompetitive season?Pam Newton, ASA Junior Olympic Coach. Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. 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. Every coach needs new ideas to keep their players on their toes and practice interesting and fun. Do the first set from the mound with your power line. To do a plank hold, start in a push-up position. She now has broken a bad habit and is on her way to a new pair of Nikes. This helps create more power and teaches you to adjust mechanics in any situation. To be a successful pitcher, you must take thatadvantage away form the batters. 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. Have her practice throwing at that speed until she can consistently come down on, or very near, the 80 percent line. Balance drills may seem difficult at first. Now, extend and contract the arms in circular motions like slicing a pizza! . Now you only swing at it on the third. During this drill, the player snaps her wrist as quickly and violently as possible. To do this drill, stand with feet shoulder-width apart. OFF SPEED PITCHINGTeaching your pitcher to throw Off-Speed. Continue moving back and increasing the arc of the pitch until you cannot get it across the plate anymore. This helps to ensure that the muscles used in pitching stay tuned and develop over time. When one pitch is a different rate of speed then the last pitch and there are seldom two pitches in a row the same speed the batters have greater difficulty deciding when to swing. Now with one strike, your zone should expand a bit. Everyone waits for you. The drills should be done with some purpose. Youll find the basketball workouts and drills youre looking for to take your game to the next level. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. I have a few striped balls in my pitching bag for use when teaching the roll drop and the riseball. To do a plank hold, start in a push-up position. 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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. Have her keep throwing and backing up to the point the ball just reaches her without hitting the ground. The intent is for pitchers to transfer the importance of that direct step and balance when they pitch from the pitching rubber. RELATED:Fastpitch Hitting Drills for Beginners. Next you will put your other knee facing home plate. Batters rely and depend on timing the pitchers motions to make that big decision when to pull the trigger and start their swing. It is the kind with sand in the bottom of it so it stays upright. There is a lotof room for error. Practice using your fingertips to develop spin. To become a successful pitcher you must practice at least every other day. Work on stepping at or beyond this mark with your stride leg. Warm-ups are a must for any pitcher! Queen Of The Hill Review. If the pitch is not where you want it but is still a strike, dont worry. Now have the pitcherreturn to the 100 percent mark and throw from there. They loosen up the shoulder area and strengthen small muscles with precise movements. The speed will come as a result of the force, but focusing on speed will actually slow down your movements! This will come with reps. After all these pitches have been thrown, I have the pitchers throw peel drop, roll drop, change-up, fastball and rise ball in that order to feel the difference in pitches. 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. I recommend starting with a light weight (4 pound) dumbbell doing arm curls, butterflies, and wrist snaps in 10 rep sets. If the pitcher throws too quickly without enough weight transfer, the pitch will go off target. Try very hard not to walk her.2. FOREARM STRENGTHHeres a tip a coach told me about quite a number of years ago. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Do 5-10 reps each way: forwards, backwards and side-to-side. Have the players stand at 2nd base position, SS, 3rd base position and make throws to first base trying to hit the bucket. These drills help to develop proper mechanics, accuracy, and power when throwing a pitch. I recently attended a clinic at Arizona State University that Linda Wells and her staff put on specifically for our team. It is important to continue keeping the wind-up at 100 percent full speed, but gently slow it down at the last moment. Hitting Drill - Homerun Derby by the . Hold one or two light medicine balls at chest level. 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. . If it crosses the plate, move back 5 feet and toss another one. 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. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. Pitch a ball that crosses over the plate. Make it the strike zone for your height. A: It is recommended to practice softball pitching drills at least three times a week. Put a pile of single sheet newspapers in an area you would normally walk by the most times during the day. Second, pitchers push the ball out of their hand, which reduces the spin applied to the ball and potential movement of the ball. Arm swings are also effective for cool down. I have my pitchers pitch from approximately 20 feet, 10 balls. Q: How often should I practice these drills? A: Improving your pitching accuracy requires a combination of proper mechanics and practice. Make sure your weight is even in both feet. Throughout, keep eyes focused on a target ahead. If you are a right handed pitcher then you would face to the right of the rubber and put your knee on towel which is on the rubber. The following speed drill also works for accuracy, while building arm 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. Pitchers perform their normal pitching motion, without any softballs. Set-up: make a starting point by measuring six of your own foot lengths and mark the distance. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! #5. This drill can increase your strength in the hand, wrist, and especially the forearm. Run and Drag Begin as if you were on the mound with your feet staggered and your throwing arm foot slightly in front. Then draw a line through the box, going from left to right, at the same height as the belt on your waist. Here is Ashley Holcombe's, a former catcher for Team USA, stance tips. This is great for increasing flexibility for softball pitching delivery. Tip #2Choosing the right pitch (Part 2 of 3 part series)By Michael CisnerosEditor, Softball Today Magazine.
Softball pitching drill to help stay tall @elitesoftballtraining #Toti 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. Accuracy first, then work on speed. Dont mean to nit-pick, but is she leaning at release, or after release? We throw 10 to 15 pitches at this distance. I hope that this helps someone in their pitching practice.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'softballtutor_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-softballtutor_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); STRIPED BALL FOR PITCHINGI have a few striped balls in my pitching bag for use when teaching the roll drop and the riseball.
SOFTBALL PITCHING DRILL FOR SPEED (Stacked Ball Drill) It is imperative that you start a 3 day per week running regime for long distance during this time. Throw some heavy balls or close rotation drills to perfect rotation of the ball for certain pitches. This is the best way I have ever found to train a pitcher to throw one pitch at different speeds (an off-speed pitch). Register Log in 1 2 3 Next May 13, 2012 #1 B BradB41 May 31, 2011 129 16 My DD made some dramatic progress this past off season. Shift body weight onto the balls of the feet. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 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. But once you get the basics, it will give your pitching game an edge. Work on accuracy first. But since it is practice, you will swing at them. Plank holds are a great drill for softball pitchers to boost core strength. You can use PVC pipe, batting tees, or even hooks on a wall to fashion the ropes to your liking.