Purpose: Softball pitching drill which creates competition and pressure for the pitcher when pitching to a catcher's targets.

Procedure: The catcher gives a target, and for advanced players she may call a pitch. If the pitcher hits the target, she gets one point. If she misses the target, she loses a point. When the pitcher reaches three points, the game is over. Add difficulty by requiring every fourth pitch to be a change-up.

Purpose: To practice getting under the ball for rise-ball release. Drill for softball pitching that also develops body and arm strength.

Procedure: The pitcher pitches to a catcher from second base or farther, lobbing the ball up as if she is throwing it over a telephone pole. This action forces the pitcher to get under the ball. To develop strength, the pitcher keeps backing up (from second base, to center field, to the fence) to see how far she can throw it.

Purpose: Drill for softball pitching that develops the wrist snap by isolating the wrist, which prevents the pitcher from using the elbow to snap the ball.

Procedure: The pitcher stands sideways 5 to 10 feet from the catcher or a wall. The glove side faces the target, and the ball is behind the back. The pitcher flips the ball by snapping the wrist.

Purpose: Softball pitching drill which develops strength of throws.

Procedure: The pitcher stands sideways 5 to 10 feet from the catcher or a wall. The glove side faces the target, and the ball is behind the back. The pitcher flips the ball by snapping the wrist.

Purpose: To practice changing speeds when softball pitching.

Procedure: Working with her catcher, the pitcher alternates fast and off-speed pitches. The goal is to keep the delivery the same.

Purpose: To develop control and accuracy for softball pitching.

Procedure: The pitcher throws to the extreme four corners of the strike zone. When she achieves accuracy at one spot, she moves the target to the next corner. A catcher or a target on the wall can be used. To adjust for the in and out targets, the pitcher must adjust her body angle from her normal stance. She turns the toe on the rubber about a half inch in or out from the position she used to throw to the middle of the plate.

Purpose: A drill for softball pitching that teaches the body muscle memory of the proper mechanics.

Procedure: Pitchers will need their glove (for balance purposes) and a full-length mirror. They stand four to five feet from the mirror. The pitcher is to go through the proper pitching motion at a slow speed, while watching herself perform in the mirror. Each pitch should be performed 20 to 30 times to help the body learn the motion.

Purpose: Softball pitching drill which promotes 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.

Purpose: Strike challenge, a drill for softball pitching,  helps your pitchers develop the confidence that they can throw strikes in any situation – from their Thanksgiving family games to the deciding games of big tournaments.

Procedure: With your pitcher and catcher at their normal positions, challenge your pitcher to see how many strikes in a row she can throw. Give her five rounds; if the first ball she throws is a strike, she keeps going until she throws a ball, at which point she begins her second round. Anytime she throws a ball, that round ends and she starts a new round.

Purpose: To reinforce the corret rise-ball mechanics (getting under the ball, ball spin, long arm, high follow-through).

Procedure: This drill for softball pitching requires partners to stand six feet apart with one ball. The pitcher stands in the star position and finishes her motion while working on her rise-ball technique. She wants to be sure to keep her hand cupped and to get backward rotation on the ball. The player recieiving the ball is standing. It is the partner's job to give feedback on the spin and the pitcher's mechancis. This is a good drill for muscle memory and breaking down the pitch; it's also a good warm-up drill. Have each pitcher throw 20 pitches.