 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Where to focus once you step in the box to hit?
Never look at the pitchers eyes. Focus on her hip where the ball will be released. While you are looking there, see if she gets her grip
outside of her glove to give away any of her pitches.
Focus on seeing the ball right out of her hand. You eyes have enough time during a pitch to refocus 3 times. Your eyes will focus once at
her hip, once half way, and once as it gets to you. The first time is most important to recognize the release and type of pitch, second time
is important to see if it's a ball or strike. And the third is important to make contact.
Never look at the pitchers eyes. Focus on her hip where the ball will be released. While you are looking there, see if she gets her grip
outside of her glove to give away any of her pitches.
Focus on seeing the ball right out of her hand. You eyes have enough time during a pitch to refocus 3 times. Your eyes will focus once at
her hip, once half way, and once as it gets to you. The first time is most important to recognize the release and type of pitch, second time
is important to see if it's a ball or strike. And the third is important to make contact.
Building Arm Strength
Throw, throw & then throw some more. You're born with some of your arm strength, but most people have to work very hard to get their
strength. Pro players work out almost every day, even in the off season. And they know that long toss is the key!
Depending on your age you should long toss during the season about 2 to 3 times a week.
Throw, throw & then throw some more. You're born with some of your arm strength, but most people have to work very hard to get their
strength. Pro players work out almost every day, even in the off season. And they know that long toss is the key!
Depending on your age you should long toss during the season about 2 to 3 times a week.
How to pick a glove!
We get this question almost every day. Here you go. Be sure to read how to break in a glove below. There are lots of gloves to choose from - but it's easier
than you might think. Consider this; When picking out a glove, you first need to decide where you are going to play - not always easy because most of the
time you'll play more than one position. One suggestion is to get a glove that is a little larger so you can use it at multiple positions and allow for some room
to grow into it.
Outfielders usually have the largest gloves. Infielders tend to have smaller gloves with a smaller pocket - makes sense huh!
If you are a pitcher, you'll want to make sure you have a closed web so the other team can't see your pitches!
We get this question almost every day. Here you go. Be sure to read how to break in a glove below. There are lots of gloves to choose from - but it's easier
than you might think. Consider this; When picking out a glove, you first need to decide where you are going to play - not always easy because most of the
time you'll play more than one position. One suggestion is to get a glove that is a little larger so you can use it at multiple positions and allow for some room
to grow into it.
Outfielders usually have the largest gloves. Infielders tend to have smaller gloves with a smaller pocket - makes sense huh!
If you are a pitcher, you'll want to make sure you have a closed web so the other team can't see your pitches!
Breaking in your new softball glove
You're going to need the following items; - A new softball glove (see above) - Some shaving cream - A softball - Some rope or a long sock (panty hose can
work as well)
Put a small amount (small handful) of shaving cream in your hand. Rub the entire amount into the pocket of the glove until the white foam is gone. Do this
about once a week for about a month (that's 4 or 5 times). Once you've rubbed in the cream, place the softball in the pocket of the glove and tie the rope or
sock around the glove. A good thing to try is to get a cheap pair of panty hose, cut one leg off. Put a softball into the panty hose so it drops to the toe. Then
just put the ball in the pocket and wrap the hose around the glove to form the web. Keep it in a dry place. Don't let the glove close flat - close it at an angle
so that the pinky finger shows a little.
Play catch with the new glove! Playing catch is the best way to break in a new glove (besides, it's more fun). You can also put your hand in your new glove
and lightly tap the bat into the pocket of the glove. You're working to form the inside pocket to your hand as well as soften the leather for a completely
custom fit.
Be patient! Breaking in a good glove will take at least 2 or 3 weeks depending on how much you use and work with it.
You're going to need the following items; - A new softball glove (see above) - Some shaving cream - A softball - Some rope or a long sock (panty hose can
work as well)
Put a small amount (small handful) of shaving cream in your hand. Rub the entire amount into the pocket of the glove until the white foam is gone. Do this
about once a week for about a month (that's 4 or 5 times). Once you've rubbed in the cream, place the softball in the pocket of the glove and tie the rope or
sock around the glove. A good thing to try is to get a cheap pair of panty hose, cut one leg off. Put a softball into the panty hose so it drops to the toe. Then
just put the ball in the pocket and wrap the hose around the glove to form the web. Keep it in a dry place. Don't let the glove close flat - close it at an angle
so that the pinky finger shows a little.
Play catch with the new glove! Playing catch is the best way to break in a new glove (besides, it's more fun). You can also put your hand in your new glove
and lightly tap the bat into the pocket of the glove. You're working to form the inside pocket to your hand as well as soften the leather for a completely
custom fit.
Be patient! Breaking in a good glove will take at least 2 or 3 weeks depending on how much you use and work with it.
How do you hit an outside pitch?
An outside pitch can be hit if you wait longer to take your swing. If you let the ball get deeper into the hitting zone, you can drive it the opposite way. If you
try to hit it sooner, you will get it off the end of the bat and probably sting your hands and hit a "spinner".
Try to keep your front shoulder facing the pitcher as long as possible, and wait until the ball gets a little closer than usual and take your typical quick swing.
An outside pitch can be hit if you wait longer to take your swing. If you let the ball get deeper into the hitting zone, you can drive it the opposite way. If you
try to hit it sooner, you will get it off the end of the bat and probably sting your hands and hit a "spinner".
Try to keep your front shoulder facing the pitcher as long as possible, and wait until the ball gets a little closer than usual and take your typical quick swing.
Playing ball in the heat!
This tip is only relevant to certain regions of the country, but many of us do travel to warmer climates to play ball. If you find yourself playing in a hot and
humid area, many new problems arise that you may not be used to dealing with.
First rule, BEFORE YOU GET THIRST, DRINK. DRINK BEFORE YOU GET THIRSTY. This simple rule will keep you hydrated without getting that "water belly"
feeling. We all know how it feels after you chug your water and run out on the field. To avoid times of feeling thirsty but too full to drink, one good thing you
can do is try to drink a half a gallon to a gallon of water the afternoon and evening before the game. This will make sure your body has enough water in it to
keep you hydrated. During the competition, continue to sip water.
It's also a good idea to have some sort of sports drink. Ones without a ton of sugar are usually better, but anything with electrolytes is great. These will
keep you from getting that "dizzy" feeling when it's really hot out there. Alternate drinking the sports drink with water and you should feel pretty good.
Some cold water on towels is also a great way to keep your self cool. No matter what happens, stay in the shade as long as possible and stay hydrated.
This tip is only relevant to certain regions of the country, but many of us do travel to warmer climates to play ball. If you find yourself playing in a hot and
humid area, many new problems arise that you may not be used to dealing with.
First rule, BEFORE YOU GET THIRST, DRINK. DRINK BEFORE YOU GET THIRSTY. This simple rule will keep you hydrated without getting that "water belly"
feeling. We all know how it feels after you chug your water and run out on the field. To avoid times of feeling thirsty but too full to drink, one good thing you
can do is try to drink a half a gallon to a gallon of water the afternoon and evening before the game. This will make sure your body has enough water in it to
keep you hydrated. During the competition, continue to sip water.
It's also a good idea to have some sort of sports drink. Ones without a ton of sugar are usually better, but anything with electrolytes is great. These will
keep you from getting that "dizzy" feeling when it's really hot out there. Alternate drinking the sports drink with water and you should feel pretty good.
Some cold water on towels is also a great way to keep your self cool. No matter what happens, stay in the shade as long as possible and stay hydrated.
QUICK TIPS
1. Face your weaknesses. What has held you back from reaching your goals? Identify the stumbling blocks will move you a long way toward resolving them.
What can you do to get better? Develop a plan to get rid of them. Facing our weaknesses is rarely fun but it is a necessary step toward becoming all you can
be. You must attack your weaknesses relentlessly.
2. Have a plan for every workout or practice – the saying goes: “if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. One of the common traits of the most successful
people in the world is that they have a plan. They know where they are going. Identify where you want to go, the obstacles you will face to get there and lay
down a plan to get overcome the obstacles and get to your final destination as quickly as possible.
3. Build a success portfolio. Build a portfolio where you will collect all of the evidence of success you have achieved in the past and that you will achieve in the
future. This will be a strong reminder of how exceptional and amazing you are when you feel a little down. Even more important, you will build the habit of
focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. Focusing on the positives is a powerful confidence builder!
4. Visualize success. Visualization (a.k.a. mental imagery) is one of the most powerful mental skills. If you can visualize yourself being successful and control
the thoughts in your head, your confidence will skyrocket and you performance will be much more consistent. Just like any physical skill, visualization takes
time to learn, refine, and master. It must be practiced.
5. Take control of your little voice. Negative self-talk can be very destructive. It will take time before you take total control of it but it is definitely worth the
effort. Try to catch yourself when you have negative self-talk and replace it by positive self-talk. Being positive is a common characteristic of highly successful
people.
6. Spend time by yourself to relax. Elite softball players are passionate about softball. They sleep, breath and eat softball every day and that’s that the way
it has to be to achieve high level success. However, take time off once in a while to rejuvenate. Do something totally unrelated to softball and enjoy it.
Something well-planned little breaks do wonders for elite athletes. They go back to training and competition totally re-energized and fully motivated.
7. Overcome fear of failure. Fear of failure might be what is holding you back. Dare to be great by taking risks, chances. Nobody has ever achieved greatness
without facing hardship first. Failing is a good thing if you learn from it. Instead of seeing problems or obstacles, see challenges to overcome. The most
successful people on the planet are risk-takers. You will never achieve anything by risking nothing.
8. Make no excuses and take full responsibility for all your failures and all your successes. The world’s most successful people never make excuses and they
hold themselves accountable. Achieving success and making excuses are mutually exclusive, wholly incompatible.
9. Accept the fact that you will fail, make a lot of mistakes and learn from them. Failing is a big part of the game. If you succeed only 30% of the time at the
plate, it’s excellent. That means that you will be failing more often than you succeed. Failing is part of life and sport in general. You actually learn more by
failing than by succeeding. The key point is to look at mistakes and failures as learning opportunities. Ask yourself: “What didn’t go well and how can I do
things differently next time to be successful?”
10. Use music to energize your workouts. It is a powerful motivator. Get yourself a quality mp3 player or iPod and listen to your favorite music when you
workout. Music is motivating and helps you stay focus by blocking outside distractions.
11. Focus on the controllable. Realize that you can’t control what happens around you, but you can control your response to it. You must be in control of
yourself before you can control your performance. Don’t waste your time on things that you have no control over, focus on the things that you can change or
control.
12. When you are unmotivated to exercise or practice, begin for 5 minutes, then decide. One of the big stumbling blocks to achieving success is staying
motivated. There are days when we don’t feel like working out or practicing. The hardest thing is often just to get started. So, when you don’t feel like
working out or practicing, just start doing it for 5 minutes and then decide whether or not you want to continue. You will see, most of the time, you will keep
doing it.
13. Be here, now. Play one pitch at a time, confident and focused on each pitch as it is played with disregard for past or future pitches. Ignore the emotional
baggage of scores, innings, and pitch counts; just focus on the next pitch. Playing a full game in the present is to ultimate goal and the best way to ensure
that you perform at your best.
14. Focus on the process rather than the outcomes. You have much more control over the process than the outcome. For example, when hitting, focus on
having a good at bat (proper mental approach to the plate, selecting the right pitches, using your best swing, hitting a line drive, etc.) rather than focusing
on getting a hit or not striking out
15. Develop routines to help you get in the zone. The use of routine is one of the most widespread practices among elite softball players. They perform
routines before games, between innings and between pitches at the plate and on the field. A routine integrates both the mental and the physical aspects. It
is a specific way of doing things to stay focus, block distraction and put you in the ideal mindset. Routines are powerful and you should definitely use them.
What can you do to get better? Develop a plan to get rid of them. Facing our weaknesses is rarely fun but it is a necessary step toward becoming all you can
be. You must attack your weaknesses relentlessly.
2. Have a plan for every workout or practice – the saying goes: “if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. One of the common traits of the most successful
people in the world is that they have a plan. They know where they are going. Identify where you want to go, the obstacles you will face to get there and lay
down a plan to get overcome the obstacles and get to your final destination as quickly as possible.
3. Build a success portfolio. Build a portfolio where you will collect all of the evidence of success you have achieved in the past and that you will achieve in the
future. This will be a strong reminder of how exceptional and amazing you are when you feel a little down. Even more important, you will build the habit of
focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. Focusing on the positives is a powerful confidence builder!
4. Visualize success. Visualization (a.k.a. mental imagery) is one of the most powerful mental skills. If you can visualize yourself being successful and control
the thoughts in your head, your confidence will skyrocket and you performance will be much more consistent. Just like any physical skill, visualization takes
time to learn, refine, and master. It must be practiced.
5. Take control of your little voice. Negative self-talk can be very destructive. It will take time before you take total control of it but it is definitely worth the
effort. Try to catch yourself when you have negative self-talk and replace it by positive self-talk. Being positive is a common characteristic of highly successful
people.
6. Spend time by yourself to relax. Elite softball players are passionate about softball. They sleep, breath and eat softball every day and that’s that the way
it has to be to achieve high level success. However, take time off once in a while to rejuvenate. Do something totally unrelated to softball and enjoy it.
Something well-planned little breaks do wonders for elite athletes. They go back to training and competition totally re-energized and fully motivated.
7. Overcome fear of failure. Fear of failure might be what is holding you back. Dare to be great by taking risks, chances. Nobody has ever achieved greatness
without facing hardship first. Failing is a good thing if you learn from it. Instead of seeing problems or obstacles, see challenges to overcome. The most
successful people on the planet are risk-takers. You will never achieve anything by risking nothing.
8. Make no excuses and take full responsibility for all your failures and all your successes. The world’s most successful people never make excuses and they
hold themselves accountable. Achieving success and making excuses are mutually exclusive, wholly incompatible.
9. Accept the fact that you will fail, make a lot of mistakes and learn from them. Failing is a big part of the game. If you succeed only 30% of the time at the
plate, it’s excellent. That means that you will be failing more often than you succeed. Failing is part of life and sport in general. You actually learn more by
failing than by succeeding. The key point is to look at mistakes and failures as learning opportunities. Ask yourself: “What didn’t go well and how can I do
things differently next time to be successful?”
10. Use music to energize your workouts. It is a powerful motivator. Get yourself a quality mp3 player or iPod and listen to your favorite music when you
workout. Music is motivating and helps you stay focus by blocking outside distractions.
11. Focus on the controllable. Realize that you can’t control what happens around you, but you can control your response to it. You must be in control of
yourself before you can control your performance. Don’t waste your time on things that you have no control over, focus on the things that you can change or
control.
12. When you are unmotivated to exercise or practice, begin for 5 minutes, then decide. One of the big stumbling blocks to achieving success is staying
motivated. There are days when we don’t feel like working out or practicing. The hardest thing is often just to get started. So, when you don’t feel like
working out or practicing, just start doing it for 5 minutes and then decide whether or not you want to continue. You will see, most of the time, you will keep
doing it.
13. Be here, now. Play one pitch at a time, confident and focused on each pitch as it is played with disregard for past or future pitches. Ignore the emotional
baggage of scores, innings, and pitch counts; just focus on the next pitch. Playing a full game in the present is to ultimate goal and the best way to ensure
that you perform at your best.
14. Focus on the process rather than the outcomes. You have much more control over the process than the outcome. For example, when hitting, focus on
having a good at bat (proper mental approach to the plate, selecting the right pitches, using your best swing, hitting a line drive, etc.) rather than focusing
on getting a hit or not striking out
15. Develop routines to help you get in the zone. The use of routine is one of the most widespread practices among elite softball players. They perform
routines before games, between innings and between pitches at the plate and on the field. A routine integrates both the mental and the physical aspects. It
is a specific way of doing things to stay focus, block distraction and put you in the ideal mindset. Routines are powerful and you should definitely use them.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND BETTER BALL
They say: “speed kills.” It couldn’t be truer in softball whether you are pitching, fielding a ball or running the bases.
Speed is something every pitcher is concerned with and would like more of. While we know that speed is less important than movement, it’s still crucial.
Faster pitching means better breaking pitches and less reaction time for the batter. Just about every one of the best pitchers in the world has great velocity.
While speed is somewhat genetic, you can still improve it through optimization of pitching mechanics, specific strength and power training, and specific
pitching drills. Here are 10 drills that you can use to boost your pitching velocity by a few MPH.
1. Dry Pitching. This simple exercise is one of the easiest and most effective activities for improving speed. It can be used as a warm-up exercise or even
during a game to keep loose. Stand in a pitching position with your stride foot well in front. Complete a number of arm rotations concentrating on making
large circles (Windmill). If you add gradually increasing weight to your pitching hand you will be doing an exercise that builds arm strength. Use weights with
caution however; limit them to what you can handle easily.
2. Wall Pitching. This is a good drill for beginning pitchers early in the spring. It consists of pitching against a wall of some type and catching the rebound. This
enables you to perform a high number of repetitions in a short amount of time. Stand about 3 to 5 meters from the wall. Throw the ball hard enough to have
it bounce back to you. Catch the ball with your glove and continue pitching as long as you wish. As your technique improves move back slightly and throw a
little harder. You can also improve your concentration during this drill by placing a mark of some type on the wall, and trying to hit it with each pitch.
3. Speed Pitching. This exercise is based on the “overload” principle and requires you to work at or near maximum capacity. In this drill you throw a
regulation softball to a catcher, increasing your workload as your strength increases. Pitch from regulation distance. Don’t try to throw “stuff” and don’t worry
about control. Concentrate on “EXPLODING” off the mound and throwing as hard as you can. The goal is to try and throw each successive pitch a little harder
than the previous one. Before you start decide how many pitches you want to throw this way, then increase that number by five or ten each week.
4. Three-Step Drill. (For leap-and-drag pitchers only.) This drill is designed to increase ball speed by developing more aggressive footwork. The pitcher should
take three long steps back from the pitcher’s plate. Starting with the pivot foot, take three running steps to the pitcher’s plate and perform the normal
pitching motion on the run. The idea is to get a running start so that an especially long leap off the pitcher’s plate can be achieved. The ball can be thrown
much faster with the running start and it builds confidence in players that they can throw faster. It also helps develop the strength and athleticism to perform
the leap-and-drag motion at a higher level.
5. Speed Drill. The pitcher should take her place on the mound. After someone says, “Go,” the pitcher begins to pitch a predetermined number of pitches,
pitching the ball as fast and as quickly as she can. She drives her back leg through normally and stays in tune with other correct mechanics. As soon as she
finishes a pitch, she hurries back to the rubber and sets her feet for the next pitch. Meanwhile, the catcher catches the ball and throws it back as fast as she
can. The pitcher should be on the rubber to catch the throw and immediately pitch again. She omits the windup and makes just the circle before release. The
scale that follows is a good guide for timing a series of pitches. It if helpful to use two balls. The pitcher starts with one, and the catcher with another. The
catcher, who should be standing, should not throw her ball until she has caught the pitch.
Number of Pitches Minimum Time in Seconds
10 30
12 36
15 45
20 60
6. During the year the pitcher should build up to a speed-drill workout of 60 pitches, which could be six sets of 10, five sets of 12, four sets of 15, or three
sets of 20. She should do the sets at the end of a normal workout.
7. Fast and Slow. The purpose of this drill is for the pitcher to practice changing speeds. Working with her catcher, the pitcher alternates fast and off-speed
pitches. The goal is to keep the delivery time the same.
8. Bag Drill. This drill involves pitching a bag with a ball in it. Take any kind of plastic shopping bag, and drop a ball in the middle of it. Now, put your fingers
through the holes of the bag, and then pitch the bag, just like you would if it were a ball. Now, it will probably go straight up the first time, a common
occurrence with almost everyone who tries it. All you need to do is let go sooner. Remember that the faster your hand moves, the sooner you have to let go
of the ball. Try it again this time and let go sooner. Practice getting the right release point, and on feeling your hand go faster as you let go of the bag. What
makes this drill helpful is the weight of the ball and the length of the bag, which create a momentum that forces your hand to go faster than it normally does.
9. Carpet Drill. This drill is used to improve pitching speed. Find a heavy tarp or carpet remnant at least 6 feet wide and 10 feet long, hang it from a joist in
the basement or a rafter in the garage, and then just wail the ball at it with all of your might. Don't worry about control, just throw hard. Use your full wind-
up and good pitching mechanics, but throw each pitch as hard as you can, without worrying about accuracy. There's no one to call balls and strikes, just think
that each pitch needs to be a little harder than the last.
10. Mixing Speeds and Locations. One of the best drills a pitcher can do is to work in practice on mixing speeds and locations. This is how a typical game will
be, so it is advantageous to work like a game in practice. This type of precision and pitch control is going to take a lot of practice. The pitcher should stay on
the pitch until she hits it. For example, she may throw 10 inside fastballs and only one outside fastball. Hopefully as she practices more and more, it will take
less and less time for her to hit the pitches. Mix the sequences up as she becomes more skilled at hitting the target. Only use the pitches that your pitcher
throws. You will see quickly what targets or combinations need more work.
Speed is something every pitcher is concerned with and would like more of. While we know that speed is less important than movement, it’s still crucial.
Faster pitching means better breaking pitches and less reaction time for the batter. Just about every one of the best pitchers in the world has great velocity.
While speed is somewhat genetic, you can still improve it through optimization of pitching mechanics, specific strength and power training, and specific
pitching drills. Here are 10 drills that you can use to boost your pitching velocity by a few MPH.
1. Dry Pitching. This simple exercise is one of the easiest and most effective activities for improving speed. It can be used as a warm-up exercise or even
during a game to keep loose. Stand in a pitching position with your stride foot well in front. Complete a number of arm rotations concentrating on making
large circles (Windmill). If you add gradually increasing weight to your pitching hand you will be doing an exercise that builds arm strength. Use weights with
caution however; limit them to what you can handle easily.
2. Wall Pitching. This is a good drill for beginning pitchers early in the spring. It consists of pitching against a wall of some type and catching the rebound. This
enables you to perform a high number of repetitions in a short amount of time. Stand about 3 to 5 meters from the wall. Throw the ball hard enough to have
it bounce back to you. Catch the ball with your glove and continue pitching as long as you wish. As your technique improves move back slightly and throw a
little harder. You can also improve your concentration during this drill by placing a mark of some type on the wall, and trying to hit it with each pitch.
3. Speed Pitching. This exercise is based on the “overload” principle and requires you to work at or near maximum capacity. In this drill you throw a
regulation softball to a catcher, increasing your workload as your strength increases. Pitch from regulation distance. Don’t try to throw “stuff” and don’t worry
about control. Concentrate on “EXPLODING” off the mound and throwing as hard as you can. The goal is to try and throw each successive pitch a little harder
than the previous one. Before you start decide how many pitches you want to throw this way, then increase that number by five or ten each week.
4. Three-Step Drill. (For leap-and-drag pitchers only.) This drill is designed to increase ball speed by developing more aggressive footwork. The pitcher should
take three long steps back from the pitcher’s plate. Starting with the pivot foot, take three running steps to the pitcher’s plate and perform the normal
pitching motion on the run. The idea is to get a running start so that an especially long leap off the pitcher’s plate can be achieved. The ball can be thrown
much faster with the running start and it builds confidence in players that they can throw faster. It also helps develop the strength and athleticism to perform
the leap-and-drag motion at a higher level.
5. Speed Drill. The pitcher should take her place on the mound. After someone says, “Go,” the pitcher begins to pitch a predetermined number of pitches,
pitching the ball as fast and as quickly as she can. She drives her back leg through normally and stays in tune with other correct mechanics. As soon as she
finishes a pitch, she hurries back to the rubber and sets her feet for the next pitch. Meanwhile, the catcher catches the ball and throws it back as fast as she
can. The pitcher should be on the rubber to catch the throw and immediately pitch again. She omits the windup and makes just the circle before release. The
scale that follows is a good guide for timing a series of pitches. It if helpful to use two balls. The pitcher starts with one, and the catcher with another. The
catcher, who should be standing, should not throw her ball until she has caught the pitch.
Number of Pitches Minimum Time in Seconds
10 30
12 36
15 45
20 60
6. During the year the pitcher should build up to a speed-drill workout of 60 pitches, which could be six sets of 10, five sets of 12, four sets of 15, or three
sets of 20. She should do the sets at the end of a normal workout.
7. Fast and Slow. The purpose of this drill is for the pitcher to practice changing speeds. Working with her catcher, the pitcher alternates fast and off-speed
pitches. The goal is to keep the delivery time the same.
8. Bag Drill. This drill involves pitching a bag with a ball in it. Take any kind of plastic shopping bag, and drop a ball in the middle of it. Now, put your fingers
through the holes of the bag, and then pitch the bag, just like you would if it were a ball. Now, it will probably go straight up the first time, a common
occurrence with almost everyone who tries it. All you need to do is let go sooner. Remember that the faster your hand moves, the sooner you have to let go
of the ball. Try it again this time and let go sooner. Practice getting the right release point, and on feeling your hand go faster as you let go of the bag. What
makes this drill helpful is the weight of the ball and the length of the bag, which create a momentum that forces your hand to go faster than it normally does.
9. Carpet Drill. This drill is used to improve pitching speed. Find a heavy tarp or carpet remnant at least 6 feet wide and 10 feet long, hang it from a joist in
the basement or a rafter in the garage, and then just wail the ball at it with all of your might. Don't worry about control, just throw hard. Use your full wind-
up and good pitching mechanics, but throw each pitch as hard as you can, without worrying about accuracy. There's no one to call balls and strikes, just think
that each pitch needs to be a little harder than the last.
10. Mixing Speeds and Locations. One of the best drills a pitcher can do is to work in practice on mixing speeds and locations. This is how a typical game will
be, so it is advantageous to work like a game in practice. This type of precision and pitch control is going to take a lot of practice. The pitcher should stay on
the pitch until she hits it. For example, she may throw 10 inside fastballs and only one outside fastball. Hopefully as she practices more and more, it will take
less and less time for her to hit the pitches. Mix the sequences up as she becomes more skilled at hitting the target. Only use the pitches that your pitcher
throws. You will see quickly what targets or combinations need more work.
10 TIPS FOR INCREASING PITCHING SPEED
