BEGINNER INSTRUCTION/DRILLS
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
PROBLEM: ball goes too low or into the dirt
POSSIBLE CAUSES: stepping short, releasing early, grip is too loose (ball is slipping out of her hand too soon)
PROBLEM:ball goes too high
POSSIBLE CAUSES:stepping too long, releasing late, squeezing the ball too tight (comes out of hand late), no elbow snap
PROBLEM:ball continuously goes to the right side of plate
POSSIBLE CAUSES:
(for right-handed pitcher)stepping too far across body, wrist snapping improperly (fingers pointing away from body when snapping), positioning feet on rubber too close and/or too far to the right, arm circle may not be straight
(for left-handed pitcher)step is too open (right foot pointing toward right side of plate), wrist is turning over instead of snapping, arm circle may not be straight
PROBLEM: ball continuously goes to the left side of plate
POSSIBLE CAUSES:
(for right-handed pitcher)step is too open (left foot pointing toward left side of plate), wrist is turning over instead of snapping, arm circle may not be straight
(for left-handed pitcher) stepping too far across body, positioning feet too close and/or too far to the left, arm circle may not be straight
DRILLS
Breakdown Drill
-Wrist Snap: pitcher straddles rubber with both feet and shoulders square to the catcher; she puts free hand just above wrist (which is positioned at side of hip) and snaps the ball to catcher
-6 o'clock/Elbow Snap: same foot position; pitcher moves free hand to just above elbow (at side of hip)and snaps the ball to catcher
-9 o'clock: same foot position or in first-step position with free hand still positioned like it was for 6 o'clock step; arm is behind pitcher at 9 o'clock position; pitcher swings arm forward so free hand catches it above elbow to ensure elbow snap
-12 o'clock: first-step position only; arm is above pitcher's head at 12 o'clock; previous step is repeated from this position
-3 o'clock: first-step position only; arm is in front of pitcher at 3 o'clock; previous steps repeated
-Full windmill: first-step position only; pitcher starts from glove and pushes out into a full windmill
***9, 12, and 3 o'clock steps can have hip c lose added once wrist/elbow snap timing is sufficiently mastered