Last week, I wrote a post that everyone really seemed to like. It was part 1 of a 2 part series on problems in pitching mechanics. Last week we talked about the really big, noticeable issues that can happen during a pitch. This week we are going to talk about the smaller, less noticeable mechanical…
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In today’s video post, Coach Phil talks about what it really means to have “optimal pitching mechanics” in softball
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Since I began offering online pitching lessons, I’ve been interacting with parents and players who come to me seeking different things: some to learn basics, some want to improve, many want to “fix” different pitching problems. Some come to me from previous pitching coaches while some have pitched for years and are just looking for…
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I’ve been getting a lot of emails and messages on our social media pages from players and parents, all with the same concern. Each girl has reached out saying that they throw really well in practice and then throw so much worse when they are in game situations. Some of the most common things I…
Read MoreIn this video, I dive further into forearm fire by discussing the difference between elbow flexion and elbow extension during the pitch delivery, and which technique is optimal
Read MoreGreat question from one of our readers about where power actually comes from in windmill pitching.
Read MoreIn this week’s video I explain the importance of rotational movement in the windmill pitching sequence. Although softball pitching doesn’t appear to be powered by rotation in the same way batting is, control of rotation is what allows athletes to achieve critical positions throughout the delivery.
Read MoreWhen you’re learning windmill pitching for the very first time, the ball is probably going to go everywhere… and that’s normal! Once you sort of get the hang of it, however, you may notice that when you miss your pitch location, it is often in the same spot, or the same two spots. I find myself constantly reminding my students WHY pitch after pitch lands inside, outside, high, or low; I tell them to memorize the reason so they can self-correct in games and practices. Whether you’re a parent trying to teach your daughter to pitch and you’re not quite sure how to troubleshoot location issues, or you’re a Fastpitch Power student already and you need a cheat sheet to help you remember, this post is for you!
Read MoreIt’s no secret that windmill pitching is not easy. It requires not only a tremendous amount of practice and aptitude for the skill, but also a tremendous amount of strength and stability. Core strength is something that is lacking in many—if not most—young female pitchers, yet it is absolutely essential to pitching with sound mechanics.
Read MoreWhat follows is one of my favorite muscle memory drills which helps pitchers see and feel their bodies at various, crucial points in the delivery. Please note the following when performing this drill:
1. The pitcher should be 25 – 35 feet from the catcher, depending on age and level.
2. Coaches commands should be a minimum of 2 to 3 seconds apart to allow the pitcher to sense and adjust any mechanical flaws, as well as keep her balance (if she cannot keep her balance, it’s an indication that she needs to strength train).
3. This video is a demonstration for a fastball. The drill can be adapted for any pitch. Look to future posts for other pitches.
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