Pitching in competitive softball is the most important aspect of the game. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. Pitchers can also throw rise pitches, drop pitches and change ups. By also changing the location of these pitches, it can be very difficult to hit those pitches. However, pitchers who attempt these pitches and don't execute them correctly will see them hit hard with great frequency.
Step 1
Snap your wrist upward when throwing a rise ball. This action on the ball will give it a spin that will make the ball go up toward the batter's shoulders and neck when it is coupled with an elongated follow through. The pitcher's arm is extended up over her head when the pitch is completed.
Step 2
Throw the drop ball with much the same motion as your fastball. However, use a shortened stride when you step toward home plate and make sure you don't extend past your waist with your follow through. You can also turn over your wrist at the last moment before letting the ball go. This will make the ball not only drop, but also go away from a right-handed batter when delivered by a right-handed pitcher and away from a left-handed pitcher.
Step 3
Throw the change up to batters in order to get them off stride. Use the same basic motion to throw the change up as when you throw your harder pitches. Location is an important factor with the change up. You must keep your change up over the outside part of the plate and never throw it to weak hitters. Those type of hitters would never be able to catch up with your fastball or rise ball. When throwing a change up, slow your arm action a bit. This will not be perceptible to the batter. Place the ball a little deeper in your hand instead of putting it on the finger tips.
Step 4
Throw your rise ball to smaller hitters. Start it at waist level and by the time it gets to the hitter it will be at chest level and will be difficult to hit. Conversely, throw your drop pitch to larger batters. Start it at thigh level and it will be below the knees when it gets to home plate.
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