Increasing Your Pitching Speed

If you want to increase the speed on your throws as a pitcher in softball, you can do that by using softball drills which focus on speed.
There exists many fastpitch softball drills that work on a pitcher's speed and most of them are related to the fastball pitches. You should use those pitching drills to increase your speed and become a pitcher with a lot more velocity.

Drill 1 - No Stride

Purpose: To work on proper ball release and speed.

Procedure: The pitcher delivers a ball to a partner without using a forward stride. The partner can be another pitcher, so this is a good warm-up drill. The stride foot is even with the pivot foot. The pitcher pitches the ball using good hip rotation, a strong snap of the wrist, and a good follow-through, focusing on proper hip and arm mechanics. Pitchers should be aware of the danger of not rotating the hips and then throwing only with the arm.

Drill 2 - Arm-Speed Development

Purpose: To learn the feeling of arm speed and to develop acceleration through the arm circle.

Procedure: The pitcher works alone on her arm circle. The drill has two parts.- The pitcher stands in a sideways pitching position with the stride leg forward and the pitching arm above the head at the top of the circle. She moves the arm around in a perfect circle as fast as she can to get the feel of high arm speed. She keeps the arm totally relaxed meaning very loose.- The pitcher focuses on buidling acceleration through the circle. Still sideways, she begins with the pitching arm at waist level. The pitcher focuses on lifting the arm in a relaxed manner and increasing the speed of the arm by accelerating on the downswing with a whiplike action. The arm is extended (elbow relaxed) to create the biggest arc and lever possible. The longer the lever, the more force it can produce.

Drill 3 - Speed Pitching

Purpose: To develop speed while throwing to a catcher.

Procedure: The pitcher works with a catcher, concentrating on exploding off the mound and attempting to throw each pitch a little harder.

Drill 4 - Wall Pitching

Purpose: To develop speed without worrying about accuracy.Procedure: The pitcher stands 10 to 15 feet from a wall and throws hard, focusing on mechanics and the feeling of throwing the ball hard. The repeated impact softens the ball quickly so the pitch should use the same ball. Don't use a rubber ball that doesn't have seams because the pitcher has to be able to grip the ball properly. An advantage of this kind of practice is that pitchers can do it on their own at any time. 

Planning for a team building is a very hard task. If you are a coach in such a team most particularly in softball, you have the tendency to focus most of your time in the development of their attitudes because you believe that a team without a good attitude even though it wins will never become a true winner at the end of the day.A team is as strong as its strongest member. A team cannot live by one player working alone. A team is not one, it is all for one, and one for all. A team is definitely a group of individuals who are fighting for the same or common cause. A team shall therefore work according to its capacity and that capacity should be built more in order to generate more capabilities. Once a team encourages an increase of its efforts, this already means that there is something that is constantly motivating them. The coach should also see how a team is being motivated so that he will achieve on thinking of more and more strategies that will make his team more and more motivated. It is also important that a coach shall make an effort of treating his team more passionately so that the members can feel that while they are away from their families, they still have a family in the name of their team. Building a family-like team is really needed so that everything will run according to its pace.

There is also a need for every coach and every player to have attitudes that will serve as their motivation before they plan on starting off their softball drills. The attitudes must also be learned selflessly. This means that your goodness should be shared with other team so that every team will also play with the same vision as yours, that is, to play a clean and fun game.

The rightful knowledge of the things underlying each softball drills must be studied carefully so prior to its implementation, you will explain to the players what attitude you shall use in the achievement of the certain softball drill that you have to train them.

As a coach, you must also understand that your team members vary from each other. It is therefore needed that while you are incorporating different attitudinal skills to your softball players, you fairly evaluate those players who are having a hard time making their bad attitudes turn into a good one. Try as much as possible to identify the cause of this. The moment that you have discovered the reason for the problem, you may talk with the concerned individual. It is important that both of you should talk in private so that you will show respect his personal life.

The job of a coach is not only confined inside every court. It goes beyond what the public eye can see. It is more on becoming a teacher, a second parent and a best friend to their players. Without the coaches' patience, determination and love for the players and the game, there will be no success, real success.

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Purpose: Improve hand-eye coordination and quicken reaction time in order to consistently hit a variety of pitches.

Procedure: Equipments that are required are Bats, softballs, pitching machine and L-screen, white and yellow dimpled balls and white, yellow and red tennis balls. As a warm up a pitcher flips a ball from each hand at the same time and instructs the batter to hit one of the two balls. For example, "High" for the high pitches, or Low for the low pitch. Another option is to use two different colored balls with the batter instructed to hit one or the other. Advanced hitters can hit at balls numbered from 1 to 3 with the goal of calling out the number on the ball before contact. For the main drill, gather up three different colored tennis balls: white, yellow and red. Set up a close range batting practice session or short toss drill from behind a screen. The batter should practice a different hit according to the color of the ball White means bunt (e.g. safe color). Yellow means curveball (e.g. caution), so the hitter should try and stay back and hit the ball the other way. Red means fastball (e.g. dead red) so sit back and rip! For further practice, perform a softball hitting drill with the pitching machine using white and yellow dimpled balls. Try hitting the white one and bunting the yellow, Or hit-and-run the white, and hit to the right side for the yellow. But stress the importance of picking the ball up as early as possible. These e exercises  work on improving hand-eye coordination through concentration from release to contact and the actual grip of the ball at the pitcher's "L" focus upon release. Remember: Hitters shouldn't guess. These drills develop instinct and train the hands to react quickly and efficiently.

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Purpose: To choose proper bat size and weight so that the batter can hit comfortably.

Procedure: In youth softball drills the selection of bats in various sizes and weights is very important.The player selects the bat that he wants to hit with and holds at by the knob with the arm extended. The arm is extended in front of the player with the bat horizontal to the ground.If the player can hold the position for 30 seconds,the bat size is OK. If he cannot, the bat might be too heavy.If the bat starts to drop or even shake a little in the player's extended hand, the player should choose a lighter bat.Bat selection is important for softball players of all ages, especially younger ones, because they tend to use bats that are heavier than necessary.

Smaller players should use lighter bats for a quicker swing.Lighter bats also increase bat control.Parents should evaluate different bat sizes and weights for their kids before spending a fortune. Sometimes a $30 bat is just as effective as a $203 bat.Coaches should emphasize the importance of being flexible in bat choice rather than falling in love with a particular bat.

A second technique for selecting a bat is for the player to hold out one hand horizontally. With the other hand, he holds the bat near the end of the handle with the bat resting against his side. The player raises the bal into the same horizontal position as the free hand, without bending the elbow, and holds it for 30 seconds. Not being able to hold up the bat usually means that the bat is too heavy The coach should recommend a lighter bat.

Purpose:This is a competitive Softball Pitching Drill.

Procedure:Protective screen or soft toss net, tee, and regulation balls. Ruks: Set up a screen or net just behind home plate. Place a tee, with a ball on top of it, on the plate. Pitchers throw from the rubber. For indoors, use a portable mound and measure off the proper pitching distance according to the age level. Three pitches per person. An instructor should record the points (see below). Declare a winner per station, age group, or up to 25 points, for example. Assign a set pitching order. Attempt to maintain equal rounds of throwing. The on-deck person should be the hall feeder. Pickup the halls as a group. Older players can alternate between the four- and two-seam fastballs as well at the stretch and wind-up.

Scoring includes:
3 points: Pitch which hits the ball off of the tee.
2 points: Pitch which hits the tee (pole only).
1 point: Pitch which hits the screen.

If you're coaching softball, you should always look to make your practices as fun as possible. It's important that your players are learning the game but they also need to be having fun if the practices are going to be worth everyone's time because if they're not enjoying themselves chances are they won't care much for picking up on the skills of the game either. Click here for some exciting and fun softball drills that you can use to get your players eager to practice and learn some of the more important parts of the game.

Here are some additional softball practice drills that provide an element of fun:

Drill 1 - Mixed Speed (Softball Hitting) Purpose: The mixed speeds drills works to help players improve their reaction time at the plate and quicken their swings. Procedure: The hitter and catcher take their regular positions in the batter's and catcher's boxes, and the infielders and outfielders take their usual spots. The coach stands from about 10 feet in front of the pitching mound and throws pitches from a bucket of balls. Because the batter has less time to react to pitches at this distance, she really has to focus on the release of the ball from the coach's hand and begin her swing quickly.

Drill 2 - Circle the Bases (Base Running) Purpose: This drill helps players become comfortable rounding the bases at top speed - something that you want to see often this season as a coach. Procedure: Split the team in half and put one half at home plate and the other half at second base. Give a ball to the first player in line for each team. On your command, the two players begin to run around the bases in normal fashion. When they back to where they started, the players hand off the balls to the next people in line. Continue the drill until all the players have completed a lap around the bases.

 Drill 3 - Slow Roller (Softball Catchers) Purpose: This drill gives catchers a chance to practice getting out of their stances quickly and fielding balls that stay within their range. The drill also is great for helping catchers discover how to handle bunts. Procedure: The catcher and first baseman assume their normal positions. The coach stands behind the catcher with the five balls ready to go. The coach begins the drill by rolling a ball to the catcher's left - make sure it doesn't go too far. The catcher gets out of her stance, tosses her mask to the side, charges to the ball, scoops it up, and fires to first base. The catcher returns to her position, and the coach continues to roll balls, switching locations to the right and up the middle.

Drill 4 - Find the Fly (Softball Infielders) Purpose: The more range your middle infielders have moving back on pop ups that barely leave the infield, and the more comfortable they are at doing so, the tougher it will be for the opposition to reach base on the tricky little bloopers that the outfielders can't reach. This drill helps the players become a lot more comfortable making tough over the shoulder catches. Procedure: The shortstop and second baseman take their normal positions, but they stand facing the outfield. The coach stands just behind the pitcher's mound. The coach begins the drill by lobbing a ball high in the air over a player's head and into the shallow part of the outfield. When the coach releases the ball, he yells "ball," which signals the player to locate the direction of the pop up and move to make the catch.

Drill 5 - Basket Catch (Softball Outfield) Purpose: In some cases, to make a tough catch on a short fly ball, the outfielder has to charge in and flip her glove over so that the open mitt points towards the sky. The following drill will help the outfielders become more comfortable in dealing with making this type of catch when the situation gives them no choice but to. Procedure: The coach stands on the edge of the infield with a bucket of balls. He lobs a ball in the air in front of an outfielder, who runs forward and performs the basket catch.

If you're like most softball players, coaches, and trainers, you still probably stick with the typical routine of continuously building up your endurance through various types of endurance training. This type of training includes training on treadmills and stationary bikes.

However, things are changing in the world of softball training. More and more trainers are realizing that when it comes to softball, building endurance is just a part of the equation. Building endurance is not the foundation of any good softball player.

That's the reason why there's a shift towards high-intensity speed training for softball players. After all, softball plays are done within a five-second period. That's a short timef rame that requires a sudden burst of speed instead of high endurance.

Let me explain this further with this softball training tips that I'm about to share with you.

The Body's Three Main Energy Systems

The body uses three main energy systems depending on the type of activity you're engaging in and for how long. Understanding these systems will show you why you need to emphasize speed training over building your endurance.

System 1. This is the speed system, also known as the anaerobic alatic system or ATP-PC system. This provides you with energy for any effort that lasts for less than 10 seconds. It can give you a sudden burst of speed, but it is usually depleted after 10-12 seconds of continuous effort. This is the first energy system that kicks in when you start moving.

System 2. The speed endurance system or the anaerobic lactic system or lactic acid system, gives you a balance between a boost of energy and endurance. This system can last between 10 seconds to 2 minutes before it is depleted. Performing this system releases lactic acid in muscles that causes a burning sensation when sprinting or do a heavy workout.

System 3. The endurance or the aerobic system provides you with energy for activities that last longer than 2 minutes. Compared to the previous systems, this is the least powerful system but it lets you perform activities for hours.

Since softball's plays last for just 5 seconds, the type of energy you need falls under the speed system. So why are you still focusing so much on system 3 and building your endurance?

That is why you need to start shifting your training to one that fits the requirements of softball - one that provides you with a sudden burst of speed. Doesn't it make sense to do this?

What Happens Now to Endurance Training?

Notice that I didn't tell you to let go completely of your endurance training. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't put too much emphasis on that, and instead shift your focus on speed training.

You still need to go through endurance training that will enable you to run for at least 30 minutes. You  don't need to be able to run more if you're looking for softball-specific training. Aside from that, endurance training gives you the following benefits:

-          Control your body fat

-          Recover quickly from intense activities

-          Increase your stamina and resistance to fatigue

-          Decrease tension

-          Aid in sleeping

-          Improve your mood, reduce depression and anxiety

So once you have fully developed your endurance, it's time that you focus on what really is essential: building up your ability to burst out anywhere on the field as quickly as possible! This is one of the most important softball training tips that anybody could tell you.

Purpose: To improve softball throwing accuracy for younger players.

Procedure: Equipment required soft-covered softballs, colored masking tape, access to a fence or a wall,  time taken 4 to 6 minutes, on a wall or fence mark off three or four squares with blue painter's tape, 15 inches by 8 inches. The squares should be about 4 to 6 feet apart from each other.Within the large blue squares mark off smaller squares with white tape.Mark a line on the ground in front of each square. The distance between the line and the box depends on the age and skill level of the players.Divide the team into as many groups as there are large squares or the fence or wall.Give each pla}'er 3 to 5 balls.The first player in each line throws the ball against the fence.Award one point for throwing the ball within the blue square and two points for hitting one of the smaller white squares.