softballdrills

Purpose:Pitchers strive to add movement to their pitches and variety to their softball pitching repertoire.

Procedure:Pitchers should play catch with another pitcher as part of the daily warm-up. Pitchers throw from the mound with the goal of adding late movement to each pitch—either in and out or down (way from the batter's hands). To add movement to
the pitch use different Grips (fingers on or off the seams), vary ball placement in the hand (e.g. choke it for a changeup), and use different pressure points on the ball, applying more pressure for increased movement and less for more velocity. Changing speeds with breaking pitches (changeup, curve or slider) can throw off a hitters timing, especially his/her stride. Pitchers can focus on developing their aptitude for the essential skills of pitch selection and focus, control (strikes) and command (location), movement and changing speeds, velocity, and getting people out These skills can be developed in a variety of ways. Experiment each day with a different grip, ball placement, or pressure point. Keep the same arm speed but use a different arm angle. Try for movement with a different pitch on each throw. Ask hitters for feedback. See what the other pitchers on your team are doing. Work with the coaches. Always maintain proper mechanics, balance, and follow through when performing any type of softball pitching drill. And remember that the most important pitch is Strike 1!

Purpose: To improve communication between the softball catcher , pitcher, first baseman, and third baseman on the location of foul balls.

Procedure: The catcher, pitcher, first baseman, and third baseman are at their defensive positions. The head coach is behind the catcher at home plate. The head coach throws a foul ball in the direction of first base, third base, or the middle. The infielders visualize home plate as being divided into three areas: 1 , M, 3. If the foul ball goes to the third base side, behind or in front of home plate, the infielders call "up 3", which lets the catcher know to turn to the third base side. It's the responsibility of the defensive player on the foul ball side to call the play. For example, if the ball goes to the third base side of home plate, the third baseman should call "up 3"