How to Throw a Fast Pitch in Softball

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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The softball fast pitch is a blazing, awesome throw to watch. Learn this incredible wind up to blow by the competition.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Learn the fastball windmill. Grip the ball across the horseshoe with two, three or four fingers. (The smaller the hand, the more fingers needed to control the ball.)

Step2

Rest the strong foot on the pitcher's plate, with the toes slightly over the plate.

Step3

Place the weak foot on the plate with the toes along its back edge.

Step4

Keep your feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. This is most important for balance.

Step5

Keep your arms at your sides, with your belly facing the catcher.

Step6

Lift your back heel in the air as the weight is balanced on the power (front) leg.

Step7

Start by rocking your arms using a backward direction, and shift your weight onto the back leg.

Step8

Bring your arms forward, with the ball and glove together so that you hide the ball from the batter.

Step9

Rotate the pitching hand up and into the 12 o'clock position. Keep your arm relaxed and continue to rotate it in a perfect circle. The glove arm should be pointing toward the catcher's glove.

Step10

Release the ball at the hip, with a strong wrist snap.

Step11

Finish by facing the catcher.

Tips & Warnings

Warm up substantially (for at least 20 to 30 minutes) with underhand and overhand throwing. Start throwing a close distance to the catcher, slowly moving back. Gradually work farther back, even to beyond the pitcher's plate.
Learn the fastball before moving on to other types of pitches.
Be aware that most youth leagues don't allow players to pitch with the back foot off the pitcher's plate.

Comments

beanieyack said

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on 5/9/2007 During Step 9 the pitcher needs to have already stepped forward with their "weak foot" and pivoted on their "strong foot" off of the mound, keeping contact with the ground, and rotated so their weak side is pointing towards the catcher and their arms are in an "L" like position. Then continue the circle motion downward and release the ball and their hip (pocket)before rotating the body to where their belly is facing the catcher again to finish and/or follow through, continuing arm motion up and bend to touch shoulder.

Suggestion: Don't let rookie pitchers drag their strong foot behing them while they are releasing the ball, it twists their body and they will compensate by bending over or throwing sideways, taking accuracy off of the pitch. Have them drag their foot in a straight line from the center of the mound plate towards the catcher.

jlmalone said

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on 4/16/2007 I am 10 years old and just beginning fastpitch softball pitching.I would like to know the techniques of pitching for a girl who has never pitched in a softball game before. If you would please send me some information at jlmalone@una.edu

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 On the mound, make sure you take your time, set yourself up and go through your steps.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 When you first start to warm up, you don't want to strain you arm, so start out pitching very slow and close to you catcher. Then start speeding up by keeping you arm rotation speed the same but using wrist flicks. Gradually start to work up to your normal speed and distance little by little. This way your arm will be warm and ready to go!

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 If you only throw fast, after a few at bats, the hitters will have you timed. Try throwing a change-up to upset their timing. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest is:
Put a bucket where the catcher would be. Release the ball without any flip, fingers on the side, and try and drop it into the bucket.

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