Softball pitchers at all levels need to execute drills and strengthen their arms before the start of another season. They need to get their arms in the best shape possible to pitch well and stay healthy. Drills will help a pitcher gain confidence in her ability to throw tough pitches in crucial situations when the game is on the line. Pitching coaches need to make sure drills keep pitchers focused on proper form.
Step 1
Teach your pitchers to take the proper stride from the pitching rubber. The longer the stride, the better the fastball. In order to get comfortable with the idea of striding when delivering pitches, a pitching coach can put a chalk mark about 6 feet in front of the rubber to give pitcher a target of where her lead foot should land while delivering a pitch.
Step 2
Explain the necessity for working on building arm strength. Pitchers have to work on technique, but when preparing for a full season, she must build up her shoulder through throwing. Every pitcher should start every practice by playing long toss. Start by throwing overhand to a partner from a distance of about 50 to 60 feet. Gradually lengthen the distance until you are throwing from about 100 feet. Continue to do this for at least 10 minutes.
Step 3
Practice pitching from increased distances. The pitching rubber is 43 feet from home plate. Stand five feet behind the rubber and throw 10 pitches and then move back another five feet and throw five more. Concentrate on holding your form and accuracy. This is not a power drill. This will help increase a pitcher's confidence she can throw strikes at any time.
Step 4
Have pitchers throw with a weighted softball. A standard softball weighs 6.8 oz. Weighted softballs are 8, 9 or 10 oz. It is important not to overthrow with a weighted softball. After a pitching workout, throw 10 pitches with a heavier ball -- no more than that -- to build arm strength and velocity.
Things You'll Need
- Softball
- Weighted softball
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