Hi Arianna,

You should:
(1) Learn good mechanics;
(2) get lots of practice so pitching becomes 2nd nature, like walking, so natural you don't even need to think about it;
(3) When you warm up start at about 20 feet, take a giant step backward every time you throw a strike until you are back at the pitchers plate;
(4) it is important to practice against live hitters, pitching to a only a catcher is not the same;
(5) Don't over throw, the best pitchers hold a little back in favor of accuracy;
(6) always focus on the strike zone;
(7) Learn proper grips that you are comfortable with;
(8) Don't get frustrated, I throw lots of batting practice to U12 youth softball and U10 youth baseball, softball is much much harder, stay with it.
Have Fun!

yh like mark said.. make sure you have good mechanics and make sure your not leaning because that will make the ball rise..and make sure your arm is strait coming down those are the tips I have for you.

I have my girls use Mark's step-back game, but throw in a few twists. Starting at 2/3rds distance, your catcher will hold on a corner until you hit it for a strike, then hold at a different corner until you hit it. When you hit three corners, you get to take a step back. Continue at each distance until you hit three corners. Keep track of your misses/hits. Step back as far as you can without losing form. Keep track of your score for next time, or compete with another pitcher for score or to a predetermined distance, etc... Change the rules every so often to keep things challenging and fun. In any practice, set up a goal or challenge such as beating a previous score, stepping back farther, or at least maintaining an average.

accuracy is more important than speed
work on that before worrying about your speed

Practice.

Remember, accuracy is more important then speed. To practice getting more accuate by start up close by the catcher and then use only your arm, start with your arm straight out and then swing your arm down. Do that a couple of times and then back up a couple of feet. Then only do the windmill. Repeat until you get accurate enough to move back. Back up to the full position and then pitch away!!! If you have no catcher at the moment grab your glove and softball and do the same thing except youwill catch the ball in the glove. The glove will be held past your hip.

Tip: For good elevation try to release the ball at your hip.

Good Luck,

Hannah

I'd have to disagree about accuracy/speed. I believe that most top instructors will tell you that good from is the number 1 priority. With good form, you get good speed. With practice of good form, you get accuracy. Many kids are taught by parents or team coaches who want to see their kids throw strikes. They will allow these kids to fudge on form in order to get strikes. Strikes without good form leads to a pitching instructor's nightmare and frustration for the girl, the parents and the team coach when the instructor insists she start over with good form.

A good instructor will start a new student up close to a net, but not to get accuracy. A good instructor will generally praise any well thrown ball using good form, regardless of where it hits the net. After good from is developed up close, the PC will move her back gradually and eventually may add a target on the net or backstop, or maybe even a glove. Teaching a beginning pitcher using a catcher will ofter lead to frustration and it is always apparent that strikes are not being thrown. Using a blank net, tarp or back stop up close gives the student an opportunity to develop good form and consistency in release.

In Arianna's case, I'd amend my earlier response and suggest she get her form evaluated, then ask for help with accuracy.