How to Teach Windmill Pitching

Windmill pitches are used in fast pitch softball to increase the velocity with which the ball is pitched. Advanced pitchers can give the softball a speed of almost 75 miles an hour using the windmill pitch. When teaching the windmill pitch, break the technique down to grip, stance and swing. These phases will help beginners to understand the basic components of the windmill pitch.

Things You'll Need

  • Softball
  • Softball glove
  • Pitching mound
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Instructions

    • 1

      Instruct pitchers to properly grip the softball. Proper grip is for the thumb to be opposite the middle finger on the ball. The four fingers other than the thumb should be along the ball seams and spaced evenly apart, although distance between these fingers will vary from pitcher to pitcher. The fingertips should hold the ball without the ball resting on the fingers or the palm. Encourage pitchers to allow for as much gap as possible between the ball and the palm as they can comfortably do while maintaining a firm grip on the ball.

    • 2

      Teach pitchers the proper beginning stance. Pitchers should begin the wind-up with feet shoulder-width apart facing home plate. Shoulders should also be squared with home plate, but hips should be squared between third base and home plate for right-handed pitchers and between first base and home plate for left-handed pitchers. The heel of the front foot and the toe of the back foot should touch the rubber. Front and back feet are determined by the pitching hand. If the pitcher is right-handed, the left leg is the front leg and vice versa. Ball should be held in front of the body, with the gloved hand covering the hand holding the ball.

    • 3

      Instruct pitchers to build momentum through the backswing (the windmill). Pitcher should move the pitching arm back to a position behind the body and take a small step back with the opposite leg. Then the pitcher should transfer weight from the back leg (or pivot leg) to the other leg (the stride leg, which is on the same side as the pitching arm) briefly and step forward with the pivot leg. As the pitcher shifts weight back onto the pivot leg, the arm should swing in a rapid full circle clockwise (making a windmill) to build momentum for release. The stride leg should push off the mound as the pitcher releases the ball. The pitcher should release the ball as soon as the swing of the arm passes the body and brushes the hip. Releasing the ball too late will result in lost velocity.