150 Fastpitch Softball Pitching Drills - Sport.ca

5. Striped Ball Drill. Place a stripe right down the middle of the ball and use them in close
rotational work to insure the proper rotation is being imparted to the ball. The stripe gives
instant feedback to the player and is easy for the catcher to see and determine what
rotation has been imparted to the ball. When throwing a rise ball or a peel drop (straight
drop ball) the pitcher and catcher should see a solid line as the ball flies toward the target.
If the line looks solid, the rotation is probably correct. If the line wavers or is non-existent,
the rotation is incorrect and more rotational work is needed. The straight drop (peel drop) is
released off the "birdie" finger and the rotation is clockwise as viewed from 3rd base. If any
other rotation is being imparted to the ball, the ball will not drop. The rise ball is just the
opposite from the peel drop. The ball must have counter-clockwise rotation as viewed from
3rd base.
6. Pitching into Glove. Stand in stride position with glove open next to left thigh. Have the
pitcher follow through to the bent arm position after releasing the ball. Use a sock ball or
another softball to perform these drills indoors.
7. 3 Ball Drill. This drill is a great way of teaching catchers and pitchers to work together. It
can also be a good conditioner for pitchers. The pitcher does not use a full wind-up motion
but rather uses a full windmill off a single step like she might if she were just beginning to
warm up. If you have space to spare, your pitchers can do "walk-ins" where a right-handed
pitcher would step first with her left, then her right, then pitch from there without the wind
up. This kind of drilling teaches quick hands for pitchers and catchers but it is also a good
way to drill your pitchers on dealing with line-drives back at them, especially if your
catchers throw very hard. It also helps catchers to get to know the kind of ball movement
they can expect from their pitchers. The one rule to follow, whether you are running this as
an all-player drill or a pitcher-catcher drill, is never let this game become a simple game of
catch and put a time limit on each iteration. Players will eventually get tired, even out of
breath, and begin tossing the ball more and more slowly. This is a waste of time after about
a minute. The 3 ball drill can be a very effective way to condition pitchers since a lot of
pitches can be thrown in a short period of time. But don't stop with one iteration per player.
Allow rest in between and as many repetitions as the time for this segment of practice
allows.
Copyright © 2007 M.O. Dagenais & Associates Inc.
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