This blog is the perfect blog for fastpitch softball pitching coaches. The blog features free pitching drills, fastpitch softball coaching tips, fastpitch pitching trainers product reviews, and other valuable articles and information.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills #401 Destroy The Batter's Timing



http://www.mavenvideo.com - Softball pitching drills and tips on how to create essential techniques for destroying the batter's timing and the drills and tips by coach Bob Todd. This video is a preview from his full DVD from mavenvideo The Change Up to be release in 2010.

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Fastpitch Softball - Basics on How Its Done & Fastpitch Softball Pitching Equipment

Fastpitch Softball - Basics on How Its Done & Fastpitch Softball Pitching Equipment
By Guest Author Mike Ripley

The game of softball is often confused with the game of baseball and many are often lead to believe that if one plays baseball one can play softball too. Before one discusses what softball pitching is all about it would be worth while to just have a glimpse of some of the differences. Softball as a game has its roots in the game of baseball. In softball the numbers of innings are limited to seven; the ball is thrown underhand and played on a smaller ground. The game of softball has been attributed to George Hancock and since then this game has become increasingly popular. Today it is played in countries all over the world.

Pitching a softball requires quite a bit of practice. It's not just about throwing the ball but instead requires proper hand and body coordination before the ball is pitched.

The whole idea of softball pitching concentrates around the pitchers body position with respect to the pitchers plate, the gripping of the ball in the hand and the proper positioning of the foot. A full understanding of these positions will help a softball pitcher perform better.

While pitching a softball the weak foot is usually placed at the end of the back of the pitch plate with the feet placed apart at around shoulder length. The arms are kept at the sides and the back heel is lifted in the air. This gives more strength to the front foot and greater balance. The weight can be shifted to the back by rocking the arms in a backward position. The arm is now brought forward with the ball in the glove such that the ball remains hidden from the batter. Rotating the ball in the air in the vertical direction and moving it in a circle the ball is released from the hip position. The action finishes by looking at the direction of the catcher. This is the essence of softball pitching where the main softball equipment with respect to the pitcher is the ball and the gloves.

However, there is fast-pitch softball also known as fast pitch or just fastpitch. This term refers to a form of softball played by women, though male and mixed fast pitch leagues also exist. They commonly start at the age of 6 and play it through the college. The International Softball Federation recognizes three pitch speeds: fast pitch, medium pitch and slow pitch. The fast pitch is considered as the most competitive form of softball. This form of softball was played in Olympic Games from 1996 till 2008.

Softball equipment helps a player to perform at the highest level possible. It is important that bats, gloves, cleats, apparel and more, are top notch in performance, quality, and durability at an affordable price. Nokona as a main manufacturer of softball equipment offers great quality and affordable prices. They make bat bags, softball knee leg guards, catcher gear and accessories (such as Nokona wrist saver, Nokona palm saver, Nokona classic glove conditioner, leather lacings, leather bags, NGM Nokona glove mallet).

Nokona athletic company provides softball players with quality gloves. They come in following series, Buffalo. Buckaroo, Classic Combo and Walnut Classic. They also use a wide range of materials to get the best results. Therefore, Buffalo and Classic Combo are made of American range bison, the leather which provides soft and sturdy at the same time. More over, Buckaroo is combination of kangaroo and cowhides to form lightweight gloves. At last, but not least important Nokona built its reputation on famous Walnut 'crunch' leather. For fastpitch, in their rich array they included series such are Catcher's mitts, Elite and Youth.

Fastpitch softball pitching equipment
http://fastpitchsoftballpitching.org
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Ripley



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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Softball Coaching Drills and Tips Articles

Drills for Girls Softball
By Guest Author: Becky Wittenburg
If you're searching for the best infield drills for girls softball, then look no further. This article details two excellent combination drills that aim to improve your infielders' throwing accuracy and pivot skills in both regular play and double play situations.


Teaching Softball Drills To Win
By Guest Author: Becky Wittenburg
Teaching softball drills can be extremely challenging for new softball coaches. Here are a few strategies you can use when teaching softball drills to your team.


Softball Coaching Drills
By Guest Author: Becky Wittenburg
This softball coaching drill is explained as a defensive exercise but the skills that are being used will help to improve the players all-around. The Bubble Drill will help to ensure that your team is a step ahead of the other team. The Bubble Drill teaches the skills that a team needs to make it all the way.


Free Softball Drills
By Guest Author: Becky Wittenburg
Softball drills are what ultimately trains a team to win. It's very important that the various drills are adequate in teaching skills for different parts of the game. As the coach, it's your job to decide which drills will give the team the best practice. Here are some free softball drills that you can use.

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Five Most Common Softball Pitching Mechanics You Need to Avoid to Prevent Injuries

Softball Pitching Mechanics Flaws
By Guest Author: Marc Dagenais

Softball pitching is one of the most important roles that need to be learn if you want to be an elite softball player. It takes time and practice to be able to develop great pitching skills and if you are a softball pitcher, you, along with the catcher at the home plate, determine greatly the outcome of the game as you both communicate what pitches to throw in order to prevent the opposing team of players from hitting the ball with the bat.

There are cases where even the most seasoned softball pitchers, who have years and years of experience, use incorrect pitching mechanics, especially when they were taught to do so. And due to the wrong pitching mechanics that they employ, they can develop many softball pitching-related injuries that can either stop them from playing softball for a while or even end their softball careers altogether.

Here are five of the most common softball-pitching mechanics that you must need to stay away from if you want to continue playing the game that you love and prevent injuries.

Overuse

More often than not, when you throw the softball over and over again using the wrong pitching mechanics, you can get injured, specifically on the shoulder and rotating cuffs of your body. For instance, if you often pitch the rollover drop ball, it is highly likely that you would have an overuse injury. Up to now, there is no clear idea as to the number of pitches that you as a softball pitcher would only pitch to avoid injuries but you must be able to exercise some restraint and get proper rest in between innings.

Inadequate Warm Up and Stretching

When the day of the softball tournament comes, majority of the athletes do not take pre-game warm up seriously and so, they often rush through this activity. For softball pitchers, it is important that they perform warm-up exercises such as jogging, throwing and other dynamic exercises before they even go to the pitching mound. They must ensure that their muscles are lose and limber before they pitch the ball.

Doing Breaking Pitches At the Wrong Time

In order to be able to pitch drop balls, curve balls and other difficult pitches, you must have a developed and adept bone structure, specifically at the wrist. You need to have a tough, taut wrist snap so, that you can cause the ball to spin fast. Unfortunately, young softball pitchers do not have a developed bone and muscle structure yet and so, they are not capable yet in performing a tough wrist snap. So, if you are a softball coach, remember not to force young players to practice breaking pitches at this time as they would not be able to do it in an effective manner.

Doing the Chicken Wing

Chicken wing is what we call the elbow of the pitcher when she allows it to fly when she does a pitching maneuver. This can cause a softball pitcher to have elbow and shoulder injuries since this should not be a component of the pitch or even the follow through. Aside from the injuries, chicken winging can cause you as the softball pitcher to have improper control on pitching. Usually, if you utilize pitching methods like the snapover, then, you have the tendency to have your shoulder and elbows look like a chicken wing when you release the ball. To avoid this, you must have your elbow curled tightly on your side and your forearm and wrist should only be the ones that you use when you snap the ball.

Tugging the Head and Shoulders Backwards When Releasing the Pitch

There are some softball pitchers who tug their bodies as their arm releases the ball. Even if whipping your arm at this stage is necessary in order for your pitch to achieve optimal speed, you should never ever snap your head, neck and upper back. When you consistently do a jerking motion when you release your pitches, it is highly likely that you would have back or neck injuries.

Be sure to avoid incorrect softball pitching mechanics listed above so, that you would be able to prevent yourself from developing pitching-related injuries and have a long, successful softball career.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. Visit his site and sign-up to get his FREE softball hitting tips!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais

Monday, June 21, 2010

Softball Myth Busted: Windmill Motion Causes Overuse Injuries, Reports Top Softball Coach

Softball Myth Busted: Windmill Motion Causes Overuse Injuries, Reports Top Softball Coach
by: Marc Dagenaiss

A top softball coach reports that, contrary to popular belief, underhand pitching can cause injuries as much as overhand pitching does.

Top softball peak performance coach Marc Dagenais bases his report on the study conducted by Rojas IL, Provencher MT, Bhatia S, Foucher KC, Bach BR, Romeo AA, Wimmer MA, and Verma NN, which was published at The American journal of sports medicine.

It was conducted using seven female softball pitchers as test subjects. During the tests, it was found that the force exerted by the biceps during a windmill throw was higher than typical overhand pitches.

The study found that the windmill motion performed by elite softball players causes high amounts of stress on the biceps, which, "may help explain the high incidence of anterior shoulder pain clinically observed in elite windmill pitchers."

"In fact, I have seen many young pitchers just disappear after suffering from various overuse injuries," says Dagenais. Because of this, he says players should do the following to prevent softball-related injuries: improving their mechanics, balancing work and rest to avoid overuse, and strengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Dagenais also says that although the windmill motion is more natural than the overhand throwing motion done by baseball softball players, "there's not that much more benefit -- overuse injuries could still occur."

Dagenais is a softball coach with more than 20 years of coaching teams that include the Canadian Women’s Softball National Team.

For more details about this information, contact Marc Dagenais or visit his website at www.softballperformance.com.

About Marc Dagenais:

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, be mentally tougher, and more dominant on the field.

Contact:
Marc Dagenais
M.O. Dagenais & Associates, Inc.
154 Charlotte St., Suite #C508
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2X 4A1
+1-866-589-0439
www.softballperformance.com

###

About The Author

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher, and be more dominant on the softball field. Visit us and sign-up to get tons of great FREE softball conditioning tips to boost your game!

The author invites you to visit:
http://softballperformance.com


Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/recreation_and_sports/article_3933.shtml

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Increase Your Pitching Speed - Softball Pitching Drills


Softball Pitching Drills for Increasing Speed
By Geoff James

Believe it or not, increasing your pitching speed is not directly related to how fast your windmill is. The form of the circle and moment of release are more important than one rush of brute strength. Try these drills to increase speed and precision while pitching:

The Bend & Snap!

Trade your standard softball for a weight ball. Bend down on one knee facing your catcher about halfway between the mound and home plate. Flick the ball directly to the catcher using only your wrist. Do this 10-15 times. Back up 5 feet and repeat the drill until you get to the mound, when you will swap to the windmill using a regulation softball. Having practiced precision with the weight ball, your windmill pitch will gain some added oomf when coming off the mound.

Circle the Square.

Stand in your stride position, feet slightly wider that shoulder width. Check that your toes are on the power line, then wind up for your windmill. Make three circles as fast as you can before you release the ball. Taking those extra rotations can help you to increase arm speed before releasing the ball. Do this 10 times, then do 10 more pitches but with only two rotations. By the time you work down to the next 10, done with only one rotation, you should notice that your windmill is just a bit faster than it was before!

Warning: Windmills, especially if your shoulders are not loose or relaxed enough, can be painful. Make sure to take time between pitches as needed to recover. If it hurts, take a break to stretch your shoulder out.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_James

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Softball Pitcher's Favorite Color - Blue?


"Practice Pitch" Softball Trainer at SoftballrUs.com

Softball Pitching Tips
By Brad Henks

That may be my favorite color but it may not be a fastpitch softball pitcher's favorite color. After all, that's the color of the umpire uniform. You know, we all call them "hey blue".

As a softball pitcher you need to at least try to make the umpire think that is your favorite color. You definitely don't ever want to put an umpire on display in front of the whole ball park by letting her know you are upset about a pitch call. Just put the ball back in your fastpitch glove and head back to the circle.

Fastpitch softball pitching requires you to cleverly use your mind as well as your body when a questionable pitch call comes into play. Don't glare at them for several seconds or stomp around the mound between pitches.

Umpires are people just like we are. They are out there doing a job to allow us to play this game. You wouldn't like to be shown up in front of the whole crowd now would you?

If you use bad judgement and glare down the umpire you will likely not get any more close strikes called the rest of the day. Treat your umpire with respect. If you think the call was bad, give him a very quick glance and then turn away. Don't stare, make it only about a half second or less. Just long enough for her to know you didn't like that call.

Another way is to politely ask where that pitch was. Wait until the play is over, politely ask "hey blue - where did I miss on that pitch?" Then tell him Thanks. You have to be very polite or it could come out sounding like you are chastising the umpire. You don't want that.

Remember, as a fastpitch softball pitcher you are trying to Not put the softball over the plate anyway, just close enough to make it look like a strike. So maybe that pitch was close but not quite close enough in the umpire's view. Tell yourself that you will get the next one and go on.

As mentioned above, umpires are out on the fastpitch softball field doing a job that allows you to pitch softball. So be greateful. Be sure to tell the umpire if you think he made a good call in the field. Maybe it was a close call sliding under the third base glove. Those are tough calls, let the umpires know you appreciate the job he is doing. Politics in fastpitch softball can be a good thing.

We have all seen the prima donna pitcher that misses outside and stomps around, cusses and raises her arms in disgust. Don't be that pitcher.

Be the fastpitch softball pitcher that the umpire respects. She will tell other coaches and umpires about you. What she tells about you is determined by your actions. Give the umpire good stories to tell about you.

Make Blue your new favorite color!

Talk about Fastpitch Softball over at http://FastpitchSoftballTalk.blogspot.com/

The author is a fastpitch softball enthusiast and has been involved in fastpitch softball and baseball for 20 years as a parent and coach. For more information please visit http://www.BuyFastpitchGloves.com for some of the best fastpitch softball gloves and related accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Henks

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