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!

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Excellent Drills For Softball Pitching

By Marc Dagenais

It is known to every pitcher that a good hitter won't able to beat a good pitcher. Softball pitching is one of the most difficult positions in a softball game. It is a skill that needs your intense thinking to what would be the best strategy to use while keeping yourself in concentration inside the diamond. It is a must that if you desire to be good pitcher, you should know what are the drills to use in order to improve your pitching skills.




Excellent softball pitching is not innate in us, it is being developed! Why have your drills? First, it is to identify the key parts of motion so that you can concentrate on it. This will also speed up your learning. Second, drill makes you repeat your movement per time. With this kind of training, you would be able to master the pitching mechanics. It is a must that you should get the correct form so as to perfect it.

Here are some of those drills that you can use in perfecting that excellent pitch.

1. Static pitching - you will throw the ball so a catcher should stand by. You should be facing the catcher about 8 to 10 meters (24 to 30 feet) in distance. Throw the ball in windmill motion while the feet remains steady or stay in place. Rotate your body in full motion. You may start at easy pace. Just add more speed gradually as you become comfortable with your motion. This drill promotes upper body rotation increase your pitching power.

2. Dry Pitching - you may begin with the typical pitching position, long step forward, and stride foot in front of pivot foot. At a rate of 1minute per second. Pitch your arm in continuous full circles. You should aim your rounding circles with your target, with your arms close to head at top. Arm must meet your hips at point of release on each repetition. This drill is designed develop a perfect circle and to promote arm-hip coordination.

3. Pendulum drill - begin with a long step forward, with your foot in a stride position in front of your pivot foot. Your pitching hand should be at the top of the down-swing, or half back of the circle. Put your pitching arm down to the release point and hold it tight against body for a second. The weight should be at your back foot. Finish the movement by forcing the body and hips forward by pushing hard with your pivot foot. As your movement becomes natural, allow your arm to swing right through without pausing. Just ensure that the arm continues to brush your hip each time you do it. This drill will improve your throwing skills with your whole body working, not just with your arms.

These are just some of those many softball pitching drills that you can use in order to improve your pitching skills. By continue doing those drill and research some more will guarantee you a best form in doing your softball pitching.

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 pitching tips to boost your game!

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