Stretch and rotate arms in both directions. They are invaluable.
Effective 8U, 10U & 12U Fastpitch Softball Drills - Covey Sports 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. Mark that spot. Too much weight transfer will mean not enough force behind the pitch, making accuracy suffer. Stretch your thumb back so it is in line with your middle finger. Dont mean to nit-pick, but is she leaning at release, or after release? Video tape your pitcher if you cannot see this motion and run it back slowly. One player has one ball, the other player has 2 balls. Sequence the riseball mechanics and locate the position when the wrist turns over. I leave the twine lying on the dirt in that straight line. 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. Thanks to Duffy ONeill for the article and the tips. In between each of these drills, I have the pitchers do weights with a 9 pound dumbbell. The straight drop (peel drop) is released off the birdie finger and the rotation is clockwise as viewed from 3rd base. Teaching your pitcher to throw Off-Speed. These pitches are not thrown from the pitching stance. 7. 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. Learn how to execute them precisely: Balance drills are must-have for any softball pitcher. -Then I let the string go loose and all the way around the edge of the circle(so it is not in the pitchers way of throwing) and tie it to the nailbehind the rubber. It should be a smooth, comfortable motion that releases the balls full power. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. With practice, they will become easier and help maximize control over velocity and accuracy.
Pitching Ropes for Accuracy - Rita Lynn Gilman's Softball Pitching Tools Softball Pitching Drills: Accuracy, Speed, Endurance! Unfortunately, many pitchers make two common mistakes that limit the speed and velocity of their pitches. Each dropped or errant throw costs that team a point the team with the least points wins. You still have one more strike coming. 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. These 10 throwing drills are player favorites and youth softball coach approved. First arm curls. 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. Swing arms from side to side. They allow for your body to finish the motion. Three-pump--standing in the start position, the pitcher does her . Proper pitching technique and core strength are must-haves for mastering softball pitching. You freeze in power K position where most of the postural issues present themselves. I have spoken to a lot of coaches who have had players experience this injury. To up the intensity, add weight to your arms or speed up each set of 10. Increase rotation speed. 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).
Courtney's 30 Day Challenge: Softball Pitcher Drills | STACK IF YOU DO NOT HAVE SOMEONE TO CATCH FOR YOU, set up a video camera at the same spot you were sitting/kneeling down. Then I have them move in ten foot increments back until they are throwing from as far back as 60 feet. Throw some heavy balls or close rotation drills to perfect rotation of the ball for certain pitches. First it adds some power to your release and secondly, it squares your body to the target making it easier to be more consistent. This website uses cookies and third party services. More velocity and accuracy! Figure out a routine for yourself to follow for practice and games. What I found by this, is that when they do actually pitch, they do not drop their shoulders and make that swooping motion. When you do the wall workout, take a portable radio/tape/CD unit along and play your favorite lively paced music.
Softball Pitching Drills - Softball Tutor During batting practice, you will swing at hundreds of pitches, as opposed to the four that you swing at in a game. This exercise will help improve stability, posture, and balance while pitching. One thing that I believe helped me was one of those squeezer deals. 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. Now measure the distance between the 40 percent mark and the 100 percent mark. Enough said here!! Take your time. PITCHER INJURIESInjuries are part of the game, but in a pitcher they are nevitable. This does a couple of different things. Draw it all the way across the strike zone box you chalked out. Cooling down drills decrease soreness, fatigue and boost flexibility. Then do the drill two more times with moderate intensity. International Softball 2023 All rights Reserved. Have the pitcher throw at the top half of the zone at 100 percent full speed. Find a concrete or foundation brick wall (preferably with no windows). All Rights Reserved. It works Great!! 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. DO NOT USE A STUCCO WALL a stucco wall is only around 1 inch thick and will be damaged.
Correcting Foot Turn in Pitching - Rita Lynn Gilman's Softball Pitching Batters rely and depend on timing the pitchers motions to make that big decision when to pull the trigger and start their swing. Balance drills may seem difficult at first. Once youve built up your conditioning, check out some of our advanced volleyball drills and mental techniques. There is one drawback. 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. I find that many young pitchers have their weight too far forward, even bending at the waist on delivery. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. After about 2 -4 times, the pitcher has increased the delivery distance and stretched further down/over. 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. The riseball is just the opposite from the peel drop. Watch on. For added resistance, hold a weight or medicine ball in front of your chest. 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. It goes like this: This drill can be done either with a catcher or against a backstop. 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. Do not let pride stand in the way of producing a Great Athlete. 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. She has to throw 100 to 150 pitches every night, PERIOD!! The front upper arm should be close to the chest, with the elbow bent outward. For even more volleyball training content, check out our volleyball video library. In addition to following a healthy diet, athletes must pay particular attention to gaining muscle and losing fat, which together improve athletic performance. You can adjust the size and weight of the medicine ball to your skill level. 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. They are walk-ins, meaning that they are thrown while walking into the pitch. Tip #1Attacking the HittersBy: Jocelyn ForestNew England Riptide Pitcher, National Pro Fastpitch. With a runner on base, you cannot throw a pitch in the dirt. coaching youth softball and where you can get softball drills and softball tips. WEIGHT BACKWe do a lot of drill work, along with pitching. Also in this article was a weighted ball made with 100 finishing nails (2 to 2 1/2) pounded sub-flush in the seam holes, using another nail to get them sub-flush. And dont forget to Like Us on Facebook, where we share more great drills, tips and suggestions. Once your pitcher can do 3 sets of 10 reps, increase the weight and start with 1 set and work up. Now we have established the 100 percent mark. Looking for more awesome softball pitching drils? Measure off the same distance you use at your level of play, from the pitchers rubber to home plate, then subtract 2 feet. STACK has the volleyball drills and workouts you need to take your game to the next level. Here is Ashley Holcombe's, a former catcher for Team USA, stance tips. I like to start each pitching practice with the players playing the 3-ball game. It is imperative that you start a 3 day per week running regime for long distance during this time. From what I have seen, most outs in the course of a ball game are due to swinging at the wrong pitch. Find drills on hitting, pitching, defense, as well as drills for catchers. Have the players stand at 2nd base position, SS, 3rd base position and make throws to first base trying to hit the bucket. Watch the placement of the glove, the angle of it, and the angle of the wrist. At first, these drills may be hard for some softball pitchers. Accessibility Statement.
As I coach younger girls, I used 1 1/2 finishing nails and used every other seam (84 nails). No shifting forward or backward. Have 2 teams of 5 players 1 player at each infield position including catcher (but not pitcher). But, well just keep that between you, me and the wall. Check out Ueno. You know, you squeeze them with your hand to increase your grip. Do warm-up drills for softball pitching. You are using an out of date browser. I recently had the privilege of trying out a really cool pitching tool called the Queen of the Hill! Then I like to climb the ladder, meaning, throw the next pitch slightly higher than the one before. Set up your top rope approximately 25 inches off the ground, and a second rope 6 inches lower. Extend your glove side leg while dragging the toe of your throwing side leg. Remember, this game is for the players! It will increase forearm strength also. Every coach needs new ideas to keep their players on their toes and practice interesting and fun. Softball pitching drills are essential for success! 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. Start by pulling your shoulders down, spine straight, arms at sides and palms down. As Doug worded it to me when I first worked with him, think about most really good pitchers youve seen. Every time you walk by, grab a sheet and wad it up, using only one hand. Now with one strike, your zone should expand a bit. This is a really aggressive drill that needs to be more like a fast ball. Of course he was right, and I knew that intuitively. 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. Remember, to give up a handful of accuracy for a pinch more speed, is NEVER a good trade.
Softball Drills: Batting, Pitching, Fielding Raise the leg in a fluid motion, as if in an actual pitch, until parallel to the ground. The focus of this drill is 100% power. Each time, roll through the shoulders, hips, elbows and wrists. The right knee stays on the ground. 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. 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).. Move both shoulders in circles: one clockwise, one counter-clockwise. DO NOT OVEREXERT!! I have been pitching mens fastpitch now for almost 20 years. But I digress. End Game 2 Drill By Jill Today we are bringing you the next video in our "foundational drill" mini series! You can use PVC pipe, batting tees, or even hooks on a wall to fashion the ropes to your liking. Then move back to the last sucessful toss and toss 3 more. Basketball is a fast-paced sport that requires explosive strength, top speed, agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. 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. 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. Core strength drills are crafted to help pitchers increase power, accuracy, and speed. What I found by this, is that when they do actually pitch, they do not drop their shoulders and make that swooping motion. Try utilizing the striped ball in your next practice and watch the throwing errors disappear!
SOFTBALL PITCHING DRILL FOR SPEED (Stacked Ball Drill) Keep your arm out till the ball is released for extra power. Repeat 15 times before transitioning into other cool down exercises such as shoulder shrugs and hip circles. Do 10 rotations at your own pace. These drills were taken from an article written by Duffy ONeill, Pitching Coach of the Ohio Emeralds. Next you will put your other knee facing home plate. 173 Likes, TikTok video from @elitesoftballpitching (@elitesoftballpitching): "Softball pitching drill to help stay tall @elitesoftballtraining #Totinos425 #softballpitchers #fastpitchsoftball #pitchingcoach #softballmomma #howtopitchsoftball #softballdad". This helps create more power and teaches you to adjust mechanics in any situation. RELATED:Squash the Bug and Other Softball Batting Tips That Dont Work. Work on stepping at or beyond this mark with your stride leg. Read our softball catching skills, drills & training tips to improve techniques and be the star player at the next big game! We try to end each of our practices with a speed/strength drill. This is the most important aspect of throwing a breaking pitch. The key to this is too have the wrist turn over and propel the ball with tons of rotation. Take deep breaths and relax your muscles. Do 5-10 riseballs, peel drops, and roll drops.4. Spread feet apart in an athletic stance. Have the pitcher throw her fast ball, the pitch she throws with her fast ball grip. Measure your distance and next workout, try to beat the mark. JavaScript is disabled. This will give the pitcher two speeds available for anyparticular pitch. In addition to off-season lacrosse workouts, youll find plenty of on-the-field drill for all lacrosse positions. This is the kind of exercise that you hardly notice doing after awhile. While it can do these things, the main job of the glove in pitching is to aim the ball. Be careful not to get under the ball that will cause it to rise. Try this drill. Put your palms on the ground and bend your knees at 90 degrees. For drop balls, the weight must be on the front foot at release. 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. Research shows that to significantly improve sports performance, overall athleticism and physical ability, athletes must complete training sessions in addition to playing their sport. Keep a steady tempo, doing 10-15 reps. Take a few moments to stretch your arms, shoulders, pecs and traps. After that, we do one I call Reach For The Sky. 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. Draw a line on the ground where she starts that pitch. PITCHING HOOK KICKI 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). #7. Ueno might have one of the best motions, best mechanics. Lastly try side planks with single arm reaches and oblique twists for further multiplanar movement development. You must finish each pitch in a ready position. Every now and then, the pitchers hit Mickey on purpose. . Tip #2Choosing the right pitch (Part 2 of 3 part series)By Michael CisnerosEditor, Softball Today Magazine. Check out hockey drills and workouts from goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, defenseman Duncan Keith, the University of Michigan hockey team and others. 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 throw a pitch at 100 percent, then 60 percent, 100 percent, 80 percent, 80 percent, 60 percent, 60 percent, 100 percent, 60 percent, etc. This drill is my favorite drill and it has really helped me. Never stare at the line, always watch theball during a pitch. This drill can increase your strength in the hand, wrist, and especially the forearm. Arm circles Arm circles are []. 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. You are around 40 feet or so away and, lets face it, you have a ballcoming at your nose at 45 to 60mph. 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. Kneel on your pitching-side knee when you face home plate, while you keep your body straight. The play does not start until you make a pitch. It will take a while to get the accuracy down. MICKEY MOUSEThe only true way to get accuracy is to have the pitcher throw pitches, pitches and more pitches. The pitcher throws 8 pitches concentrating on reaching for the sky at the very top of the windmill. Try this drill to improve follow-through accuracy and smoothness: Pitching practice done? She always has one in her hand. Look for something in a wider area and follow the same discipline. Im a keen athlete myself; I like to train regularly and spend time socialising outside of softball too.
Pitching Drills - Fastpitch Power Arm circles are essential in any warm-up. Its important to get the balance between weight transfer and arm speed right. 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. Work on accuracy first.
3 Killer Softball Pitching Drills for Accuracy! We may occasionally review products that could generate commissions that enable the site to continue running. The best pitches a pitcher throws come from methodical practice designed to strengthen your pitching arm and develop your sense of timing. Core strength is key for pitching performance. Many coaches and players overlook the importance the glove hand plays in the ability to control the ball when pitching. 2) From the pitching plate, the pitcher repeats drill 1, but with her full motion. This [tag]softball drill [/tag] helps pitchers realize the importance of staying balanced and in line upon release of the pitch.