How to Throw a Fast Pitch in Softball

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

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

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[pitcher]

on 10/14/2008 Hi. I,m jeff 18 yrs old and having about 4 years experience of softball and 1.5 years pitching (fast pitcher). As i am saying i,m in position 5 of the provincial pitchers so I wanna be the number one pitcher,thus i need more techniques of how to be the better pitcher. May you please send me more intereting information of how to be the better pither at [e-mail]

[beanieyack]

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]

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 [e-mail]

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

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!