Pitching is the dominant factor in fast-pitch softball. Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 mph from a distance of 43 feet, which is the equivalent of a 95 mph pitch in baseball. In order to become a pitcher who can take control of the game, you must improve your delivery and pitching techniques and also study the mental approach to pitching so you can gain an edge on the batter.
Body Lean
The best pitchers in softball pitch with more than their arms and shoulders. They get their entire body behind the pitch by leaning forward toward the plate. This does not mean leaning forward with the waist; it means pushing off the mound hard with your drive leg (right leg for right-handed pitchers) and then getting the rest of your body to follow. To understand this, stand on the pitcher's mound and lean forward without moving your stride leg. Don't take a step forward until the last possible instant, and then begin your motion and deliver the ball. You should feel more momentum as you deliver the ball.
Reach Back
To get maximum speed on your fastball, reach back toward second base as you prepare to deliver the ball. The further back you can get with your pitching arm, the more whip and speed you will have with that arm as it comes forward. Your arm should be parallel to the ground as you reach back towards second base in order to throw a hard fastball. Some pitchers use a windmill delivery to get in this position, but that is not necessary if you can get to the parallel position.
Follow Through
In order to finish your pitch with accuracy and power, follow through so that your arm is at chest height when you finish your pitch. If you don't follow through and leave your arm at hip height or slightly above, the chances of throwing a controlled pitch over the plate are quite slim. You must finish the pitch in order to get maximum speed and accuracy.
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