Pitching
Pitches
Change Up
Rise Ball
Drop Ball
Pitching Drills
The one common characteristic that all good teams share is good, accurate, controlled pitching. The pitcher doesn't have to throw 70 MPH, but she does have to be able to hit her locations as well as be able to change speeds.
Basic Set Up and Mechanics (Fastball)
The pitcher's feet should be positioned on the mound about shoulder width apart. Her glove-hand toe should be on the back left side of the mound, while her free-hand heel should be on front right side edge of the mound (just to the right of the imaginary line entitled the "power line". This line extends down the center of the body, straight towards the catcher). To start her pitching motion, the pitcher should shift her weight from her front foot to her back foot, and then to her front foot again. As soon as her weight shifts back to her front foot, she should explode both of her arms straight out towards the catcher. When her throwing-arm gets to the top peak of her windmill circle, her hips should be opened (so that her belly-button is facing either third base or first base). At this time, her glove-hand foot should land directly on the power line. She wants to make sure to keep her arm as close to her ear as possible, making sure that her palm is facing third base (for a right handed pitcher) or first base (for a left handed pitcher). At the time of release, she should snap her wrist up and make sure to follow through properly (depending on what pitch she is throwing). For most pitches, she should follow through with her arm bent at her elbow as far as it will go, so that she can see her knuckles. While this is taking place, her free-hand foot should drag STRAIGHT FORWARD on the power line, while her hips close (so that her belly-button is now facing the catcher). If she executes her follow through properly, she should take a step forward towards her catcher. She should NOT fall off to the side with her free-hand foot after dragging it forward.
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There are many different pitches that a pitcher can possess. If she has one excellent pitch that she can throw consistently as well as be able to change speeds, she should be alright. But it is always good to be able to throw a variety of pitches as well. Here is a brief overview of how to throw each pitch.
1. Change Up
Grip: Form a circle with the thumb and pointer finger around the "c" of the ball,
place the ball in the back of palm with fingers wrapped around the entire
ball, middle finger should be on the seam
Stride: A little bit shorter
Release Point: Palm is facing the catcher, and motion should be the same speed (do
NOT slow it down)
Follow Through: Same as the fast ball
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Grip: Grip like a 4-seam fastball, but when arm reaches the last quarter of her
circle rotate shoulder so the ball is facing the sky
Stride: A little bit shorter
Release Point: Back of the hand is facing the catcher, and the motion should be
the same speed (do NOT slow it down)
Follow Through: Snap the wrist up, finishing with arm extended and the palm facing
towards the catcher
Grip #1: Middle finger is on the top of the "c" seam, pointer finger is tucked
under with the side of it resting on the seam, and thumb is on top of the
adjacent seam
Stride: A little bit shorter than longer
Release Point: Palm is facing third base
Follow Through: Lead with the pinky finger, and weight should be leaning back
(which causes the upward trajectory of the pitch), finishing with
fastball follow through.
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Grip #2: Thumb and pointer finger are in the shape of an "L" with the pointer
finger resting just to the left (for a right handed pitcher) of the long
seam
Stride: A little bit shorter than longer
Release Point: Palm is facing third base
Follow Through: Lead with the pinky finger, and weight should be leaning back
(which causes the upward trajectory of the pitch), finishing with
the pointer finger and thumb in the shape of an "L" and the
pointer finger pointing towards the sky
Grip: Grip like a 4-seam fastball
Stride: A little bit shorter than normal
Release Point: Palm is facing towards the catcher
Follow Through: Ball rolls off of hand (with the middle finger being the last thing to
touch the ball), finishing with the pitcher looking at her open palm
Grip: 3 fingers across the "c" seam with thumb and pinky on the side of the ball
(not on a seam)
Stride: A little bit shorter than normal
Release Point: Palm is facing towards the catcher
Follow Through: After release, snap the wrist over (so the catcher sees the back
of hand), finishing with the pitching hand at the side of her
opposite hip
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Grip: Grip like the rise ball "grip #1"
Stride: Normal
Release Point: Elbow should be close to the body, with the wrist facing up
Follow Through: Snap the wrist across (like sliding the back of the hand across the
top of a table) ending at the opposite hip
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Grip: 3 finger grip with the middle finger across the top of the "c" seam and the
pointer finger just on the inside of the parallel seam. Ring finger is
stretched to the side, while the pinky finger is tucked completely under the
ball.
Stride: Normal
Release Point: Elbow should be close to the body, with the wrist facing up
Follow Through: Twist the wrist backwards (like opening up an upside down jar)
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The purpose behind this drill is to give practice at developing and maintaining a proper wrist snap.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher stands with her feet properly positioned on the power line with her hips facing towards third/first base approximately 10 feet away from a wall. She then extends her throwing arm backwards towards second base and her glove towards the catcher. She then accelerates her arm down towards her hip and releases the ball while snapping her wrist. If done properly the ball should return right back at her on a line without the pitcher having to chase it.
The purpose behind this drill is to give practice at hip rotation while executing a proper circle.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher starts half-way between the mound and home plate. She then puts her throwing knee on the ground with her opposite leg fully extended outwards. The player then completes her full pitching circle and focuses on hip rotation making sure that she opens and closes hips with power.
The purpose behind this drill is to build arm strength by using over-acceleration created by the pitcher.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher stands with her feet properly positioned on the power line with her hips facing towards third/first base approximately 15 feet away from a wall. She then makes correct 3 circles with her throwing arm, each one gaining more speed. After the third circle is made, the pitcher releases the ball at her hip while snapping her wrist. If done properly the ball should return right back at her on a line without the pitcher having to chase it.
The purpose of the drill is to use momentum created by the pitcher to build arm strength.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher sets up on the mound in proper position. She then picks up her back foot off of the ground so that she is just standing on one leg. After that she goes through her regular pitching motion while shifting her weight while on one leg. She still completes her regular pitching motion by stepping on the power line with her back leg.
The purpose of the drill is to is to use momentum created by the pitcher in order to utilize over-acceleration in order to build arm strength.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher sets up properly on the mound. She then bends over with her waist and her knees so that her glove is close to the ground. When ready, she then explodes up and out as hard as she can go and then finishes her pitch using proper mechanics.
The purpose behind this drill is to become an accurate pitcher by being consistent with hitting locations.
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher sets up on mound in proper position. If she is using a wall, then she sets up a target covering the whole strike zone with the numbers 1-6 in no particular order. She then works on hitting specific numbers decided upon before the pitch. If she is using a live catcher, then she works on hitting specific spots decided upon by the catcher. One thing the pitcher can work on with a live catcher is pitch outs and intentional walks. The one thing to remember with this is to aim towards the outside of the opposite batter's box. The key to practicing locations is to pitch with proper mechanics and to not slow up to try and aim it.
The purpose of the drill is to is to
The drill works as follows:
The pitcher sets up on the mound in proper position. The coach is off to the side with a stop watch. When he says go, the pitcher quickly pitches to her catcher making sure to use proper mechanics with a correct follow through by stepping forward. The catcher gets the ball back to the pitcher as quickly as possible and she then gets set up on the mound and pitches the ball again as fast as she can. She continues doing this until one minute is up. The object behind this drill is to improve endurance and arm strength, but it is extremely important not to sacrifice form while doing this. The pitcher has to go as fast as she can while still maintaining proper mechanics and techniques.
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