There may be no softball pitch more unexpected than the knuckleball, with its unusual lack of rotation and unpredictable wobble. The "knuckler" can send a batter pacing back to the bench, head down and muttering. It's rarely used in softball because it's difficult to master and typically doesn't have the dramatic movement that the same pitch has with a baseball. But it's a dangerous weapon to add to your pitching arsenal. Nothing, after all, beats the feeling of seeing an opposing batter completely flummoxed by your trick pitch.
Step 1
Dig into the seams of the ball with your fingernails, which allows you to flick the ball underhanded without the standard rotation that normally comes with throwing a ball. You'll need to get a good grip without using your palms or all of the pads on your fingers, so grow your fingernails out a bit if need be. A weak grip will result in the ball rotating too much to effectively "knuckle," or flutter and dart around as it approaches home plate.
Step 2
Begin your windup in the same way you always do, so as not to tip off the batter that you're bringing something with extra mustard on it. Stiffen your wrist and keep your elbow a bit bent, rather than fully extending the elbow and flicking a limp wrist as you normally do. A wrist flick or a fully extended throwing arm results in too much spin, which not only negates the knuckle effect, but balls pitched with backspin travel farther when hit.
Step 3
Shove it off. Normally when throwing a pitch, a pitcher extends her arm fully at the end and allows the ball to come spinning off of the fingertips as fast as possible. The knuckleball, though, is not a pitch meant for speed. Rather, it's most effective when the pitcher appears to be throwing at full speed, yet the ball travels significantly slower, which can freeze the hitter in her tracks or prompt an early swing. As you're about to release the ball, complete a pushing motion using your fingertips, which slows the ball's speed and keeps it from spinning.
Step 4
Pick your spots. Because the knuckleball is a trick pitch, the element of surprise is your friend. If you throw it regularly, batters will be able to pick it up more easily and won't be pushed off balance by its slowed arrival. So try to save it for when you're in a jam, with runners on base and in dire need of an out.
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