Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers: Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills

Showing posts with label Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills. Show all posts

Friday, December 10, 2010

5 Softball Pitching Tips to Help Avoid Injury

5 Softball Pitching Tips to Help Avoid Injury
by Guest Author Michael J. Todd
No matter what level of pitcher you are, injury is a real possibility. Use these tips to help you avoid injuries throughout your career:

1. Keep your elbows tight to your side. There should not be much gap between your elbow and the side of your body during the windmill. In fact, your elbow will brush or almost brush the side of your body at release. If you can see daylight between your body and your elbow, you are at risk of injuring your arm and shoulder.

2. Finish the pitch. Do not stop your pitching motion as soon as the pitch leaves your hand. Finish your follow-through and allow your arm to decelerate naturally. A jarring stop right at release puts unnecessary pressure on your shoulder.

3. Stand tall. This is one you'll hear over and over again throughout your career as a pitcher, and for good reason. Not only is it difficult to consistently throw accurate pitches when leaning forward, you put yourself at added risk of injury. Leaning forward during your pitch puts strain on your back at an unnatural angle and should be avoided at all costs.

4. Take breaks and don't overdo it. It is common for a traveling softball pitcher to be asked to pitch 2 or three games in a single weekend. Couple this with poor mechanics and you put yourself at risk of a repetitive motion or strain injury. If you feel pain during your pitching motion in a game, let your coach know immediately. The same thing goes for practice...While practice makes perfect, too much practice can burn out your arm and cause you to lose speed and accuracy. Take the day before a game off or only throw a light session of practice.

5. Warm-up. Most pitchers don't like warm-up and tend to rush through it or skip it altogether. These pitchers put themselves at added risk of injury. A good warm-up prepares the muscles for the explosive motion of pitching. A good warm-up routine will include stretching, throwing and running until the muscles are warm. I've seen pitchers throw a couple pitches from halfway and say that's all they need to warm up. This is worrisome because they then move into full speed pitching from the mound without any further preparation.

Take your game to the next level at Softball Pitching Drills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._Todd

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Monday, December 6, 2010

Learning the Pitching Machine -- JoAnn Ferrieri, Rhino Softball

Posted on YouTube by rhinosoftball

Five sets of drills to get your fastpitch softball pitcher started on the right track. Order at http://www.rhinosoftball.com
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

ThrowMAX

Fastpitch Softball Training Aid
Posted on YouTube by jpblankenship1

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The worlds number one selling and rated throwing training aid for pitchers and position players for baseball, softball and fastpitch. The ThrowMAX Flexible Arm Brace is designed to keep players from using incorrect arm motions in both underhand pitching and overhand throwing.

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Aggie Academy - Rise Ball

Aggie Academy - Rise Ball
Posted on YouTube by AggieVision

We open the Aggie Academy with our first lesson as NM State senior pitcher Kim Watson demonstrates how to throw strike out the competition with her signature rise ball.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

4 - Pitching/Wrist snap drill

Fastptich Softball: 4 - Pitching/Wrist snap drill
Posted on YouTube by KevinHuntVideo

Farmington (MN) HS assistant softball coach Melissa Langer demonstrates a wrist snap drill for pitchers. Produced by Kevin Hunt Video at www.kevinhuntvideo.com and www.kevinhuntblog.blogspot.com.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

EASTON SOFTBALL - PITCHING TIPS: STANCE

EASTON FASTPITCH SOFTBALL - PITCHING TIPS: STANCE
Posted on YouTube by eastonbbsb

Stacey Nelson, Easton brand ambassador and pitcher for the USA Softball National Team, talks about the basics of a pitching stance and demonstrates the technique for a powerful stride.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Arm Action Tips

Fastpitch Softball: Arm Action Tips
Posted on YouTube by ontariofastpitch

Fastpitch softball pitching tips

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Fastpitch: How to Pitch a Softball

Fastpitch: How to Pitch a Softball
Posted on YouTube by livestrong

Using several types of pitches can is important when pitching in softball. Learn some tips for throwing different pitches in this softball video.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

How to Increase Spin Speed

Fasptich Pitching: How to Increase Spin Speed
Posted on YouTube by jpblankenship1

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips and Drills - The Killer Rise - The Best Pitch In Softball

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips and Drills - The Killer Rise - The Best Pitch In Softball

Posted on YouTube by mavenvideo

http://www.mavenvideo.com - Softball pitching drills and tips on how to create essential techniques for hurling the most effective pitch in fast pitch softball by coach Bob Todd. This video is a preview from his full DVD from mavenvideo The Killer Rise with Bob Todd. Releasing 2010.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Softball Pitching Drills - The One-Knee Drill

Softball Pitching Drills - The One-Knee Drill
http://www.softballperformance.com/ - Lauren Bay, star pitcher and Olympian demonstrates an excellent drill to increase your pitching speed and technique.

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Sunday, July 18, 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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Thursday, July 1, 2010

FAST PITCH Softball Pitching 101 - How to Throw a Fatpitch

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Tips for Successfully Coaching Youth Softball

SoftballrUs.com

Article: Tips for Successfully Coaching Youth Softball

Tips for Successfully Coaching Youth Softball

Article Submitted by: Marc Dagenais

When coaching a youth softball team, the first thing you'll realize that it's difficult. In fact, a youth softball team is a lot more difficult to handle than teams with older and more experienced players.

There are a number of reasons for this. First is that young players don't have enough knowledge and experience yet on how softball works. So you practically have to start from scratch when working with them. Another is that they're kids, and you know that kids are a little bit more difficult to handle than adults. And finally, you also have to deal with their parents. Putting parents into the mix makes things a lot more challenging.

Yes, it's a challenge to handle a youth softball team, but it's something you can do with the right attitude and skills. Successfully coach your youth softball team with these 7 tips I have for you.

1. Learn as much as you can. Coaching isn't just about teaching your players how to do things correctly. It's also your job to learn as much as you can about the game, about handling your players and dealing with them.

You can learn these through books, seminars and other reference materials that will help broaden your understanding of the game and the psychology of handling a team. Invest on these materials because you'll be needing them if you want to coach your team well.

2. Start with the basics. When you're teaching new concepts to your players, keep things as simple as possible. I mentioned earlier that young players don't have the prior knowledge yet of how softball works, so don't expect them to understand softball jargon and other complex concepts the first day they step on the practice field.

What you should do instead is begin with general concepts about the game. From hitting to throwing the ball, keep your instructions clear and simple. They'll understand you a lot easier that way.

3. Keep things fun. Kids love playing games. And what's more, they learn things much easier when they're having fun. So instead of putting them through grueling drills and practices, design fun drills that they will enjoy instead.

When they're having fun doing the drills, they won't perceive these drills as work, making them more open to learning new concepts. And an open mind is what you need from your players because they'll be able to absorb more instructions from you with that.

4. Start them early on safety and sportsmanship. The kids that you're handling are looking for role models, just like any kid would. That said, you're in the position of setting for them good examples on how to become a good softball player beyond merely learning the skills.

So constantly remind them how to play safely on the field. Show them how each safety gear works, teach them to eat right and drink water or sports drinks regularly.

And teach them sportsmanship as well. Show them that losing isn't the end of the world. Show them how to accept defeat graciously. These things that you teach them will come a long way, even after their softball career's over.

Understand how kids develop. It could be tempting to boot out a player from your team if he/she plays poorly. Things like this happen in real life in regular youth softball teams, but try to avoid it happening in your team as much as you can.

Remember that you're dealing with kids, and some kids don't develop their skills as quickly as the others. So give them the chance to learn more from the game, and decide only when they have matured enough.

Be patient. These kids barely know anything about how softball works. And so, teaching them concepts they don't seem to understand can be frustrating at times. But that's a part of the challenge.

Be patient with them even if it's frustrating. Hang in there because the longer you stay with them, the more they learn from you. And you'll be surprised at the end of the season how much they've grown in terms of playing the game and their understanding of it.

7. Keep parents on your good side. Parents of your players will come in tons of varieties. Most are generally friendly, although others can be a pain to deal with.

What you should do instead is try making friends with them. Build relationships with these parents. Listen to them if they have suggestions on how you can get more wins for your team, but also remind them who runs the show. Otherwise, other parents might try to take too much control of the team, which can be detrimental to your team's overall success.

We're of course just at the tip of the iceberg here. It takes a lot more to successfully coach a youth softball team. It takes experience, the knowledge, and the willingness to learn from your peers and your players to get you there.

But the ones I've listed above provides you with the basic tools that will guide you throughout your coaching career. It's tough, but don't forget to enjoy the ride and keep on learning.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com

SoftballrUs.com

Friday, March 19, 2010

5 Softball Pitching Drills

5 Softball Pitching Drills
By Marc Dagenais

Drill 1: Fast and Slow

Purpose: To practice changing speeds.

Procedure: Working with her catcher, the pitcher alternates fast and off-speed pitches. The goal is to keep the delivery the same.

Drill 2: Football Toss

Purpose: To develop correct rise-ball release.

Procedure: The pitcher throws a junior-sized football underhand to a partner. Grip it along the seam with all the fingers and with the thumb on the opposite side. The ball should spiral. If it wobbles in flight, the palm has turned toward the catcher at release.

Drill 3: Four-Corner Control

Purpose: To develop control and accuracy.

Procedure: The pitcher throws to the extreme four corners of the strike zone. When she achieves accuracy at one spot, she moves the target to the next corner. A catcher or a target on the wall can be used. To adjust for the in and out targets, the pitcher must adjust her body angle from her normal stance. She turns the toe on the rubber about a half inch in or out from the position she used to throw to the middle of the plate.

Drill 4: Wrist Snap Behind Back

Purpose: To develop the wrist snap by isolating the wrist, which prevents the pitcher from using the elbow to snap the ball.

Procedure: The pitcher stands sideways 5 to 10 feet from the catcher or a wall. The glove side faces the target, and the ball is behind the back. The pitcher flips the ball by snapping the wrist.

Drill 5: Oversized and Undersized Ball Spins

Purpose: To make the pitcher practice throwing a riseball.

Procedure: Using a baseball or an 11-inch ball may help the pitcher make the correct movements to get underneath the ball. The smaller the size of the ball allows the fingers to be more flexible and allows the correct movements to occur with less effort. A pitcher can use an undersized ball when initially trying to create muscle memory for the correct spin movements. An oversized ball is helpful in speeding up the wrist snap because the hand must pass under more area in the same amount of time. The oversized ball can also illustrate the spin to a pitcher who may be struggling with the backward concept. A 14-inch ball seems to be the perfect size because the pitcher can hold on to it comfortably throughout the circle before snapping the wrist at release. The routine used with these balls can mirror the routing used with the Spinner-starting close up without the circle and adding distance as well as the full circle.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog

He also 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. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html Go Sign-up Now!

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

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Softball Practice Drills

Softball Practice Drills
By Marc Dagenais

The following softball practice drills are a means of getting your softball game to the next level. By using these drills to improve your game, you will reach another level you thought you weren't able too before. The following drills should be covered in practice to ensure that you become as skilled a player as possible.

Drill 1 - All Out (Softball Catching)

Purpose: To practice going all out on the dive.

Procedure: A fielder faces a tosser 20 to 30 feet away. The first throw is over or to the side of the fielder's head. The fielder catches the ball and makes a good throw to the tosser. The fielder then runs hard toward the tosser, who flips a soft toss that the fielder must dive for to catch. The fielder goes to the end of the line to wait for her next turn.

Drill 2 - Three Points (Softball Pitching)

Purpose: To create competition and pressure for the pitcher when pitching to a catcher's targets.

Procedure: The catcher gives a target, and for advanced players she may call a pitch. If the pitcher hits the target, she gets one point. If she misses, she loses a point. When the pitcher reaches three points, the game is over. Add difficulty by requiring every fourth pitch to be a change-up.

Drill 3 - Random Ball Conditioning (Softball Catchers)

Purpose: To practice throws to bases and improve conditioning.

Procedure: Randomly place six to eight balls in front of home. From the squat position the catcher explodes and throws to a receiver at the base, hustles back into catching position, and continues until all of the balls have been thrown. Repeat the drill with the catcher throwing to a different base.

Drill 4 - Thunderstick (Softball Hitting)

Purpose: To learn to see the ball better at contact.

Procedure: Using a very narrow bat for hitting and bunting forces the batter to look intently at the ball at contact. To make to bats to use with baseball and golf-size Wiffles, cut broomsticks or doweling to bat size and tape the handles. Use the thunderstick to hit or bunt Wiffles off a soft toss.

Drill 5 - Slap and Run Around Cone (Softball Slap Hitting)

Purpose: To practice running toward the pitcher when slapping.

Procedure: The slapper hits off a pitcher or machine. Place a cone two steps in front of the batter's box in line with the pitcher. The slapper must run around the cone before heading toward first base. The cone prevents the slapper from turning too early toward first.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog

He also 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. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html - Go Sign-up Now!

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

Monday, February 15, 2010

Learn How to Pitch Faster and Smarter With These Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips

Learn How to Pitch Faster and Smarter With These Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips
By Marc Dagenais

So you want to pitch faster? You can choose to focus only on strengthening your muscles, or you can take a smarter option and take a complete approach to your pitching.

But before I get misunderstood, I'm not discounting the importance of strengthening your muscles to be able to pitch faster. What I'm saying is that it's not all there is to pitching. And becoming a smart pitcher means you can pitch more effectively with lesser effort.

Want to be a smart and efficient pitcher? Here are some tips I have for you:

1. Focus on the mechanics first. Many players focus too much on strength training to make them pitch faster. But nailing the mechanics before anything else should be your priority as a pitcher.

The proper pitching mechanics teaches you to throw the ball correctly. Throwing the ball correctly solves two problems: it teaches you how to throw the ball without exerting much effort, which at the same time minimizes your chance of injuries due to incorrect mechanics.

2. Do your warm-ups and stretches. How fun would it be to be able to pitch fast right out of the dugout? However, it doesn't work that way. If you want to pitch fast, you must do your warm-ups and stretches first.

Why? Because doing these helps loosen your muscles which helps you pitch better and prevent injuries due to pulled muscles.

3. Keep yourself relaxed. While stretches and warm-ups help loosen your muscles, tension can cause a reverse effect. So try to keep yourself relaxed before every game. Try to breathe regularly, loosen muscles on your upper back, neck and shoulders. If listening to music helps, you can do that too.

4. Improve the strength muscles involved in pitching. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not at all discounting the importance of strength training to improve your pitching speed. So work out your schedule to include training your muscles involved in pitching such as in your forearms, wrists and shoulders.

5. Don't forget accuracy. Although this isn't exactly an advice on how you can pitch faster, I just thought I'd remind you to take the time to focus on your pitches' accuracy as well. After all, pitching isn't just about speed, but also on how well you can pitch inside or outside the strike zone.

6. Vary your throws. An arsenal of different pitches is the bane of any batter out there. It keeps them guessing what you'll be throwing them next, especially in tight games. So work on having different pitching techniques and don't just focus on speed alone.

It takes more than just these short and quick tips on softball pitching to help you throw faster. It also takes a huge amount of time training and practicing incessantly until you refine your technique. So work on them and at the same time take into consideration the tips I have for you here. And I'm pretty sure how they will positively affect your game will be evident soon enough.

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

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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Softball Training - Issues That Prevail

Softball Pitching Trainer

Softball Training - Issues That Prevail
By Marc Dagenais

Sometimes, it is a great idea to reflect upon your thoughts that you have to get started with something that you always dream of becoming. The chances are, you need to be motivated and provoked with the power to become inexorable. Because once you are relentless, you will continuously do the things that you really want. Just like in playing softball, you really want to win. That is your motivator. But sometimes, you don't easily get the chance of winning because you lack the preparation and training which are very much imperative in any softball game.

Since you want to win, you have to train yourself. If softball is your dream winning avenue, then softball training tips should be in your power list of activities. Softball training should be done in order for your body to respond properly to the increasing demands of the real softball game.

Now, in order for you to easily get started with the softball dream, here are some softball training tips that you must deeply consider. Following these will surely lead you to the realization of your softball game dream.

- Get involved in softball. You cannot learn something you are not acquainted with. This means you have to learn the game itself. You have to discover the realities of the game. You must also learn the reason why you choose softball as your target sport. The proper evaluation of your softball know-how will greatly help you achieve more than what you think. You should also integrate in your study the person you want to see after the series of training. In this way, you begin to become motivated because you have designed the future, and it's waiting for you.

- One of the best ways in the softball training is the implementation of proper training programs and conditioning activities so that you will not over-train yourself. The major problem of every softball player is if they are motivated, they want to see the results in an instant. They want to have immediate results of their efforts which is wrong. There is a need to create a training plan that will best work for your body condition. Softball training is not about the immediate result. It is about the best result.

- There is still a need of disciplining yourself in every softball training session. This means you have to maintain what you eat and be able to stay fit for the practice drill and games as well. The softball is a very active game. You need to incorporate as much energy as is needed in order for you to keep pace with the game. In the end, you will feel that you are on your way towards becoming the next big thing in the softball field.

Training means initializing and developing your potentials. Doing consistent and proper softball training can surely help you to unleash your power within. Softball experts weren't born but they were made, they were made by training. And even they are already expert, they still keep on training to develop their skills.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps softball players and coaches improve 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

Softball Pitching Trainer

Friday, January 22, 2010

Drills and Activities to Improve Softball Pitching

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By Marc Dagenais

Softball pitching is one of the offensive armaments in the softball. Most coaches and trainers pay much concentration in the pitching capability of the players because they believe that this added an artillery and fire power to the game. Poor pitching techniques oftentimes results to a bad performance of the team. Worse, it might lead to losing the game. That is why there is a more complexity in the field of softball pitching drills and activities. Softball players should be equipped with the dos and don'ts of the softball pitching process.

Read on and perfect these valuable drills and activities which will help you get an edge over hitter and batting lineup you face:

The pitching all happens with the release. When this is happening just: · Stay Tall · Pull your shoulders back · Have a firm front side · No bending at the waist

For lower body pitching mechanics: · Make a powerful push from the pitching rubber · Build up a strong, fast and long stride · Make a push-back against the stride leg as the pitching arm comes down through the release point

To maximize your pitching speed, you must: · Make sure that your upper body is upright when at the release · You push back against your stride leg · Your shoulders should most of the time way closed · Your hips should be halfway or less closed at the release

The power, the speed and the landing of the stride determines how effectively the pitcher can push back against the stride in order to throw the ball with a maximum speed.

The fastest pitch depends on the lower portion of a pitcher's body. Remember to always improve the speed and control of the leaping styles. The leaping style must have a fast and strong push-off from the pitching rubber in order to drive the stride leg out fast and far.

Always look at the power and the quickness of the stride to allow for a blocking or a hard push against the stride leg at the end of the pitch sequence. Ideally, your pitching strides must be precise and sure so that a powerful pitching technique will be achieved.

Softball pitching requires technique, speed and proper pitching location. The edge to softball pitching lies upon the perfection of the most comfortable techniques you already have or at least bend your softball life on learning more of the existing pitching techniques.

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!

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

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills

By Marc Dagenais

Softball pitchers should really take the time to improve their game by going over fastpitch softball pitching drills that work on different areas of the all important position and will help them become an all-star player. The following softball pitching drills are a great start for pitchers to reach an elite level and become very solid at their position.

Drill 1 - Wall Pitching (Softball Pitching)

Purpose: To develop speed without worrying about accuracy.

Procedure: The pitcher stands 10 to 15 feet from a wall and throws hard, focusing on mechanics and the feeling of throwing the ball hard. The repeated impact will soften a ball before long, so the pitcher should use the same ball. Don't use a rubber ball that lacks seams because the pitcher must be able to grip the ball properly. An advantage of this kind of practice is that pitchers can do it on their own at any time.

Drill 2 - Speed Pitching

Purpose: To develop speed while throwing to a catcher.

Procedure: The pitcher works with a catcher, concentrating on exploding off the mound and attempting to throw each pitch a little harder.

Drill 3 - Basket Throws

Purpose: To focus on making the ball drop by using a visual target.

Procedure: The pitcher throws from regular distance and attempts to pitch the ball into a laundry basket at home plate. This drill helps imprint the image the pitcher should see before every drop pitch. The pitch can be thrown to a bucket, but the ball will not ricochet as much off the softer basket.

Drill 4 - Long Toss

Purpose: To practice getting under the ball for rise-ball release. The drill also develops body and arm strength.

Procedure: The pitcher pitches to a catcher from second base or farther, lobbing the ball up as if she is throwing it over a telephone pole. This action forces the pitcher to get under the ball. To develop strength, the pitcher keeps backing up (from second base, to center field, to the fence) to see how far she can throw it.

Drill 5 - Play a Game

Purpose: To experience gamelike pressure during pitching practice.

Procedure: The pitcher pitches a specific number of innings with the catcher calling balls and strikes. If you have a batter standing at the plate, she should assume different positions in the box and stand in as both a left-handed batter and a right-handed batter.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog

He also 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. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html - Go Sign-up Now!

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