A Coaches Guide to Softball Pitching - Keep it Simple

By Mona Stevens
Head Coach - University of Utah

In my work with coaches and players over the last 20 years, covering all but three of the 48 contiguous United States, I can without hesitation say that the greatest concern of fastpitch softball coaches is how to coach their pitchers.

We often feel we can teach the defensive techniques, and some feel comfortable with correct hitting fundamentals, but the majority of coaches are frustrated, unsure or down right afraid of the pitching aspect of softball. I’ve heard comments from coaches ranging from not wanting to “ruin” their pitcher to wishing they knew what to say when they are having problems.

First, you should try to keep in mind the coaching point of keeping it simple and attacking one point at a time. I learned the term “paralysis of analysis” in my sports skills analysis in college.

I really learned about it as an athlete trying to think about too many things at once. If I am trying to correct two or more things at once, my brain will most likely overload and basically become paralyzed, not knowing which thing to think about. You can’t focus. Do yourself and your pitcher a favor, work on one aspect until it is mastered before you move on to the next.

Second, I have often heard the comment that “so and so tries to make all pitchers little robots.” There are times in which that might be a legitimate concern. While individual variations should be allowed, it takes a sound knowledge of the skill to know where those variations should be allowed, and where mechanics shouldn’t be compromised.

For example: Having just watched the U.S. Open Gold Tournament, it becomes evident that all those the achieve the status to play at that level have mastered the fundamentals. Isn’t it interesting that to most of us they all look relatively similar in their swing. We depend on the expert commentator to tell us the tidbits about their swing that might be different.

The point can also be taken to other skills. We have a difficult time deciphering the differences in mechanics of most accomplished athletes. Each skill has basic fundamentals that are necessary to master for the athlete to be successful.

The “Big Five” of pitching fundamentals include the following:

Wrist Snap

No matter what level, the wrist is the key to your control and speed, and a key ingredient to eventually throwing different pitches. This point is never argued by any pitching instructor.

Rotation or Open Body

Although this has some variation in what aspects are stressed, the point that remains consistent is that the hips need to open or the body should rotate much like it should in the overhand throw. The most critical aspect seems to be the opening of the hips to be successful and prevent injury.

I have seen many pitchers not close the hips after releasing the ball, but I wouldn’t suggest it. The hip rotation is important to speed, but speed doesn’t seem to be a direct result of it. (I know that comment will make some people crazy, but understand that I am not downplaying the importance of it.) The speed aspect seems to be more of an indirect result. That is accomplished by the proper technique, i.e., a strong wrist snap, a controlled drive forward and the correct arm motion. All would be hampered if the proper rotation weren’t achieved.

Stride Length

When analyzing video tape of the elite pitchers in the country, the stride length is consistently aggressive. This doesn’t mean out of control or jumping off the mound, but more of a controlled and comfortable driving stride. The power generated by the legs shouldn’t be overshadowed by stressing the hips. They work together to make a powerful thrust and solid foundation. Some pitchers seem to take a shorter stride, but when looking at the ground after they release the ball, you’ll see that it is longer than you might have expected. Just for the record, a couple of elite pitchers take shorter than normal strides; however, they are suffering arm problems that I believe is from the lack of assistance from the legs…they throw with all arm. Consequently, the are losing some of their effectiveness.

Balance

On release of the ball, the body should be upright and balanced somewhere between the feet. The elite pitcher will alter this slightly when throwing different pitches: however, if it isn’t balanced to begin with, it becomes difficult to correct and detracts from the motion.

Arm Extension and Rotation

The arm should be relaxed and long. Extension doesn’t mean a locked elbow. The physicist will tell you that the longer the lever the more speed it can potentially generate. The speed of the arm rotation shouldn’t be out of control. It should enhance the wrist snap, not detract from it. The circle typically follows a true path down the power line (the line from the pivot foot to the target).

The last point I would like to make about consistencies is that of being relaxed. Tension in the shoulders or forearm in particular, will not allow the strongest, quickest, and most complete motion or pitch. Relax, but be aggressive!