The pitcher in softball is the person who throws the ball to the catcher in a windmill-like motion, underarm, in an attempt to get the ball past the batter to the catcher behind. The ball is thrown after the umpire shouts "throw ball." The pitcher is just as important as the other players in the game, and a lot of skill is required to throw the ball with speed, control and velocity. These come with directed practice and training with a talented and patient coach.
Step 1
Tailor your pitching instructions to the girl you are working with. The size, physical attributes and ability to learn are all unique to each individual girl, so you should tailor your training program according to the individual needs of the girl you are working with. Often, girls of a larger build and height are thought of by coaches as being the best pitchers. A smaller girl can be taught to throw a 60-mile-per-hour fastball just as well as a larger girl. Qualify your students based on their work ethic and commitment rather than genetics.
Step 2
Do a pre-practice with your pitcher before every practice session to help prepare her for the session. This involves loosening up the body first with jogging and proper stretching of the arms, legs and abdominals. Help her to loosen up her throwing arm by practicing throwing overarm at short distances first. Teach your pitcher how to properly grip the ball in preparation for throwing strikes. Teach your pitcher how to approach the pitching plate from behind in the correct manner.
Step 3
Build up strength in your pitcher's arms. At the most basic level, your pitcher must have good coordination and arm strength to throw the ball with velocity and control over quite long distances. Practice playing catch with your pitcher repeatedly to help build up arm strength. Every practice session should start with throwing at speed over long distances. Start with 60-foot and build up to 100-foot overarm throws to build strength.
Step 4
Help to increase your pitcher's confidence in throwing strikes. Teach the proper form and technique so that the student learns how to throw the ball correctly from the start. Speed, accuracy and control can be worked upon later when the basic mechanics are correct. During every practice session, get your pitcher to practice throwing the softball from the throwing plate at different distances. Gradually increase the distance by standing further back after each ten throws during the session. Start at about 40 feet and increase by 5 feet every time you step back. Encourage your pitcher to concentrate on accuracy and form rather than velocity and power to start with until her confidence builds.
Tips and Warnings
- Praise your pitchers more than you reprimand them. Negative reinforcement is not a good teacher when it comes to teaching girls how to pitch a softball.
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