Learning to pitch maybe the single most important aspect of competitive softball. Top pitchers can throw fastballs, risers, drops and curves. When young pitchers first learn to pitch, the idea is to help them build arm strength, help them learn the basic delivery motion and teach them how to be in position to field a ground ball and protect themselves.
Building Arm Strength
Prior to standing on the pitching rubber, all pitchers should warm up properly and play catch for 10 to15 minutes with a teammate. While pitching a softball with an underhand motion is not as stressful as pitching a baseball in an overhand style, pitchers must still get their arms properly loosened. Have young players throw the ball from a distance of about 40 feet and then move back to 60 feet before moving to the pitching circle.
Proper Positioning
Have the young pitcher stand with her dominant foot on the pitching rubber -- if she throws right-handed, this means her right foot will be on the rubber. The opposite foot can be on the rubber as well. She should be facing the catcher and prepared to step forward in order to deliver the ball. The pitching motion must be straight forward. That means the pitcher cannot step to the side when she begins her motion.
Motion
The pitcher should hold the ball in the glove in front of her midsection to begin the pitching motion. She should take a small step backward with her left foot as she brings her right arm back to shoulder height. Then she should come forward with her left foot and bring her right arm down to hip level. She should release the ball at that point and then continue to bring her right arm forward until it is at shoulder height.
Fielding Position
Fielding position is just as important as pitching position, and a pitcher must make sure she is in proper fielding position after you release the ball. This means that you should be about 4 to 8 feet in front of the pitching rubber with her feet about shoulder width apart and her hands out in front of her. This is done so the pitcher can be in position to make a play to help her team and also to protect herself from any balls that are hit directly at the mound. A pitcher must always be able to protect herself.
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