Fastpitch Softball Pitching Takes a Lot of Work

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Takes a Lot of Work
By guest author: Gregory Covey

Fastpitch softball pitching is much harder than people think. Proper mechanics will make all the difference in the world for accuracy and speed. It must be a natural motion.

My daughter has been a softball pitcher since she first began the game. She has progressed each year but it has not come without a lot of time and effort.

When I talk about mechanics I am speaking about the motion the softball pitcher will go through as they deliver the ball to the plate.

There are some different beliefs as to which motion works best but I will speak to the one she uses since I believe it has worked very well for her, while at the same time not doing any harm to her back, arm, or shoulder since she has been softball pitching.

I am speaking from the perspective of a right handed softball pitcher, since that is what she is.

The first and most important thing is to stand almost straight up with your right foot on the mound and the left foot just behind the mound.

Your left foot big toe should be at the heel of the right foot at shoulder width apart.

This particular element of the softball pitching delivery will save on your daughters back. Many softball pitchers will lean way forward as they prepare to deliver the softball. The pitcher should have their nose just behind their hip. Leaning forward does not help with speed or accuracy. It is simply a bad habit that needs to be corrected.

One law of physics is that any action will have an equal or opposite reaction.

So every motion that your daughter has in her delivery needs to be evaluated so that you are not making unnecessary motions.

The next motion should be to present the ball to the batter. This is in the ASA Softball rules.

Next she raises her hands together with the right hand holding the ball inside the glove hand as if she is praying. They are now up against her chest together.

Then she moves her arms straight out still holding the ball inside the glove hand. The hands are straight out in front at shoulder height. A good way to tell if she is doing this correctly is that it should be blocking her view of the batter and catcher. Read more.

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Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
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• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog