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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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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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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Tips for Successfully Coaching Youth Softball

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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.





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A Fast Pitch Pitching Drill

By J. Cox

An Important Pitching Drill: One Knee Pitching

The pitcher on the softball field is the most important player. No other player has the power to influence the game the way the pitcher does. In order for the pitcher to be effective, there are many little things she must do well. To help her perfect all these little things, there are many different pitching drills she should perform regularly. One of the most important pitching drills is the "One Knee Pitching" drill.

One knee pitching is performed exactly how you would think it would be done, with the pitcher on one knee. The pitcher will actually kneel on the knee that is on the same side as her pitching arm. She will be about 15 to 20 feet away from the catcher. There should be a line on the ground that extends from the pitcher toward the catcher. The pitchers other foot (on the glove side) should be placed on that line. That leg should be slightly bent. By being on one knee the pitcher will have a steady lower part of the body and will be able to focus on her upper body and the mechanics for pitching.

To begin the softball pitching drill, the pitcher should have her glove and pitching hand (holding the ball) down beside the leg she is kneeling on (her pitching leg). Both of the pitchers hands should stay together as she completes the first quarter of her arm circle. Then she should continue with her motion making sure to come through and stay with the straight line. That's the point of the drill; staying within the line. Throwing balls and strikes isn't important.

During this pitching drill the pitcher must be sure to keep her balance at all times. She can't allow her back to arch backward or her shoulders to fall forward. Also, she can't let her arm go behind her head as she is pitching. Finally, she has to make sure her arm finishes in line with the line that's extending toward the catcher. This point can't be stressed enough.

There are many great pitching drills that softball pitchers should do on a regular basis. One of the most important drills is "One Knee Pitching". This drill should be performed regularly in order to help the pitchers balance and to allow her to focus on her upper body. To be more specific, this pitching drill will help the pitcher with her arm circle, spacing, sequencing, release posture, and the follow through.

J Cox runs http://www.fastpitchsoftballbat.net The site tries to find bargains for the fastpitch fan. The site also has several other Fastpitch Softball Articles, an example is located at http://www.fastpitchsoftballbat.net/fastpitchbaserunning

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