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.
How to Fast-Pitch in Softball Uploaded by livestrong It's helpful to use your whole body when pitching in softball. Learn some tips towards throwing faster strikes in this softball video.
Softball Pitching Tips and Drills - Increase Speed Video Uploaded by softballperformance http://www.softballperformance.com - Softball pitching drills and tips on how to increase pitching speed
Team Improvements Through the Use of Fastpitch Softball Drills
By guest author: Troy A Phillips
The quality of your fastpitch softball drills is directly related to your teams ability to perform under a large diversity of in game situations. When coupled with repetition they can prepare your team for whatever challenge they face come game time.
All too often a new team is thrown into a game unprepared for the well oiled team of veterans. This has been known to place the whole group into a loosing mentality. They feel as if they are not as high a quality athletes as the winning team.
Nothing could be further from the truth in most cases. If they had only been given access to easy to implement fastpitch softball drills the feelings of inferiority could have been avoided.
Now I won't go so far as to tell you this is always the solution to the problem. The work ethic of the whole team has to be taken into consideration. This goes for the coaches and assistant, as well as the players.
In twenty plus years of coaching I have saw a lot of games lost because of coaching mistakes. I will not insult your intelligence by trying to convince you that I have never been the reason for a loss.
It is a good idea that all team staff be kept up to speed and on the same page.
This is extremely important when implementing fastpitch softball drills. Nothing spells confusion like a head coach saying one thing and an assistant telling the team something else. A quick team conference is usually a good idea before starting any type of whole team exercise.
Get to practice early and set up anything needed ahead of time. Set things up so that every player gets even time in each station. Any time a drill can be completed at a fast pace it can take some of conditioning's allotted practice time. Going into practice with a strict plan can mean the difference in getting everything needed completed and having to choose between being unprepared or running practice over. With the schedules for practice field time being an issue for almost all teams, unprepared is the usual result.
As you can see, a lot of different variables goes into running a well versed team. With proper communication, planning and the right resources, your team can be the ones that are smiling from ear to ear when it comes trophy time.
Speaking of resources, Make sure that all the information you use is set up and designed for fastpitch. All too often someone has took a standard baseball drill and changed he to she. Proper fastpitch softball drills are designed to work on specific parts of the game that are not related to any other sport.
This game is not a watered down version of baseball. Use game specific fastpitch softball drills and see your team improve dramatically ! That's all we deal with at http://www.bestfastpitchdrills.com/fastpitchsoftballdrills.
Softball Pitcher's Face Mask Should Be Mandatory
By guest author: Jim Moyer
The time has come for the Sanctioning bodies of adult softball and youth fastpitch softball to require all softball pitchers and 3rd basemen to wear a protective softball face mask. While the actual risk of being hit in the face with a line drive is slight, the severity of the injury can be blindness or even death. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1991 reported that more than 100,000 cases of facial trauma occurred in children younger than 14 years while they participated in sports activities with a surprisingly high incidence of female pitchers that are hit with a batted ball.
A couple of real life examples that I have witnessed first hand. A few years back when my daughters softball team was just a 10 year old team, we had the opportunity to play a High School Junior Varsity team. During that game, one of our 10 year old girls hit a line shot back at the pitcher. The pitcher was just able to move her head enough that the ball glanced off the side of her head just above her ear. She immediately fell to the ground and everyone rushed the field to see about her. Fortunately the ball had glanced off of her rather than a straight on blunt impact. She only suffered from a rather severe abrasion on her head, a swollen ear, and a pretty good size knot on her head. Understand that I'm talking about a fairly athletic 14 year old girl only had the chance to react and turn her head about 45 degrees to avoid a ball hit by a 10 year old girl.
Just this season I was watching a fastpitch softball game of 12 year old girls. I was sitting by the father of the 3rd baseman and we were discussing how scary it is that coach's have the 3rd baseman play so close to home plate. Many 3rd baseman now play about 20 feet inside 3rd base and even closer when the coach thinks the other team is going to bunt. Later that same inning, a batter ripped a line drive about 18 inches directly over his daughter's head. She didn't even have time to flinch. Honestly, it was so sudden she didn't have time to duck or move her hands for protection. The dad, relieved that his daughter was okay, said, "That's it. I'm online tonight and will buy a protective face mask. She won't play 3rd base again without one."
One might think a protective face mask is only applicable to girls softball, but that would be naive. Just two years ago, I met a man that played recreational slow pitch softball. He proceeded to tell me that he still plays softball but he can no longer pitch. He had been struck in his right eye socket with a batted ball and could not risk being struck again. Are you ready for this, it took three surgeries and 189 stitches to repair the damage to his eye socket, nose, and cheek. I don't know his exact age, but I suspect he was in his late 20's or early 30's when the injury occurred.
The game of softball is the most participated sport in the U.S. Given this level of participation and the possible severity of facial injuries, it just makes sense that players in high risk positions should be required to wear a softball protective face mask. The unfortunate reality is that most people will not wear safety gear until they are required to do so. A couple of years ago, face masks on batting helmets became mandatory. In the year prior to that rule, my daughter's softball team was the only team in our fastpitch softball league that voluntarily put face masks on batting helmets. That's just one team out of approximately 50 teams.
I'm not sure why more players don't wear the protective face mask. I suspect some parents are not aware that it exists and many other parents don't want to spend the $40.00 because the odds are so slim. Imagine what the cost might be for a trip to the emergency room, a week in the hospital, and two or three re-constructive surgeries. That's just the actual financial cost. Also consider the potential of losing sight in one eye, or the mental damage associated with having scars from 189 stitches. Those costs can't be measured.
Now that you have been made aware of the safety issue, the severity of the injury, the knowledge that there are softball protective face masks on the market, what will your position be? Will you be proactive with your local league? If you coach, will you be proactive with your team? Finally, will you be proactive with your daughter, or with yourself if you play softball?
Slow pitch softball and fastpitch softball are great games. I hope you will take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety and those you are responsible for. For more information regarding softball game face protective masks, please see http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/game-face.html.
Jim Moyer is the author of http://www.mysoftballcoach.com Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Jim decided to put the information online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience.
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.
A Fast Pitch Pitching Drill By guest author: 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
Coaching Softball - Important Points to Keep By guest author: Marc Dagenais
The overwhelming increase and demand for softball nowadays pushes softball coaches and players to think of different methods of how to make their coaching and training more effective and more dynamic. That is why a number of internet resources and guidelines on efficient coaching softball techniques are coming out and being distributed throughout the World Wide Web. It is time for every softball coach to take advantage of the multitudes of effective coaching softball techniques and strategies available online for everyone's utilization and employment.
Coaching softball is not a simple and easy task but with some of these tips, one will most definitely improve the current status and playing softball skills of his or her softball team...
The very basic aspect of coaching softball involves total and complete trust and belief amongst coach and players. Trust and belief in the entire team is the basis of everything. Without trust and belief in each other all efforts of the coach to unite and maximize the player's potential would be for nothing. That is why it is very crucial for all individuals coaching softball to establish and maintain trust at all times not only during practices but in competitions as well.
It is the job of softball coaches to always provide their team with the best softball drills and practice exercises available. When choosing the right softball drills, it is best to consider each of the player's strengths and weaknesses. You would want to eliminate certain weaknesses in your team such as slow running, low focus levels, distractions etc. There are a lot of softball practices and drills that will help solve these problems. Also, try to provide varied and new practice drills to avoid a monotonous and bored team. Keep in mind that as long as the players are excited and eager to learn and practice, they will most certainly improve and advance.
Softball coaching involves being fair and just at all times. Never ever show your team hints of favoritism. That will cause jealousy, riot, and ultimately a low team unity and trust. And as all softball coaches know teamwork and trust between each member is one of the most vital aspects of winning a game. So, it is highly crucial for you to stay unbiased as much as possible. Give each team member the punishment and praise that is due them.
When coaching softball, one has to learn how to identify and work with the player's current level or playing status and adjust from there. Not all players are capable of performing certain high-level drills so it is highly vital to give the players the proper training and coaching that is right for their current level and work your way upwards. Take coaching softball slow and one step at a time. First make a thorough analysis of the entire team and from there, develop and cultivate their strengths and abilities for ultimate softball performance and productivity. Do keep in mind that not every player of the team has equal strengths and weaknesses... asses each player's capabilities and work your way up from there. Never give them what they cannot handle.
Do keep in mind that all good things start small and advances through time and effort just like coaching softball... Remember that these points when softball coaching should be kept in one's heart and mind always for the benefit of the entire softball team.
Marc Dagneais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to access our directory of FREE softball drills!
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.
Then she separates her hands as she swings them back directly in alignment so that both go just as far back behind her back and at about should height and width apart or so.
Once the right arm swings back completely and starts moving forward is when she should start to be moving forward and pushing off the mound. The legs are a huge part of the speed she will get from her pitch.
Then both arms come forward with the glove hand slowing down and staying out in front almost blocking the view of the batter and catcher again while the right arm keeps swinging around. A great way to know if things are going well to get the most speed from the pitch would be to see the right arm behind at the same height of the left arm in front.
As the right arm continues around she should be pushing hard forward off the mound while stretching out her left leg and foot directly toward the plate. Remember in ASA softball rules a softball pitcher's right foot (if they are a right handed pitcher) can't leave the ground.
One thing to keep in mind is that the left foot as she is stretching out toward the plate should not be pointing up. If you are standing at the plate and you can see the bottom of her foot the left leg is coming to high off the ground in her stretching motion. This is wasting effort that will cost her in her softball pitching speed. Teach her to point her toe toward the batter and this should stop this habit.
The left leg and foot should be planted just as her arm is at her hip. This will cause a tremendous amount of force to be stopped and this is what creates the most speed of all. That sudden stop as she is delivering the ball is a mighty force.
The drag foot should create an opposite question mark like design on the ground behind her. If it is more like a check mark then she is wasting motion and her pitch will slow down. This will also be hard on her body.
I hope this was of some help.
May God Bless You and good luck!
Follow my daughter's softball career on my blog where I discuss the ups and downs that are sometimes embarrassing. Go to Playing Softball.
You can visit my blog where I talk about being a parent and all the struggles we as parents go through. My wife and I have four children and have been married for over 25 years, so we have some experiences to share.
5 Softball Pitching Drills By guest author: 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!
