Softball Pitching Drills for Kids

One of the keys to competing successfully in any sport is practice, and softball is no exception. Pitchers are the core of the game, so helping them improve and hone their skills is crucial to the success of the team. Drills are excellent ways to keep pitchers in shape and keep their skills evolving.

  1. Long Toss

    • Begin by standing just behind the pitcher's mound and throw, either over hand or underhand, to the catcher. If you get the ball over the plate, move back five steps and throw again. Keep throwing and moving back until you can no longer get the ball over the plate. This drill will help improve your strength.

    Towel Pitch

    • Instead of a ball, go through your normal pitching motion holding just the end of a towel. The extra resistance will add power to your throw.

    Wall Pitching

    • Stand about 10 to 15 feet away from a wall and pitch the ball at the wall as hard as you can. This drill will help you develop speed without having to worry about accuracy.

    Speed and Conditioning

    • While this drill benefits the whole team, pitchers need stamina to last through long innings and to be able to pitch longer into the game, so it makes sense to have them run with the rest of the team. Begin with all players in a single-file line at home plate. Blow the whistle to set the first player running toward first base; once they have almost reached first, blow the whistle again for the second player to start, and so on. To condition players, have them run in a different style from one base to the next. From home to first, have them run while kicking their heels up behind them so they kick their bottoms. From first to second, have them run while raising their knees as high into the air as possible. From second to third, have them skip, raising their arms in rhythm with their legs. And from third to home, they should sprint as fast as they can.

    Accuracy

    • Two short, easy drills to help improve accuracy are the flamingo and the three-ball drill. For the three-ball drill, have the pitcher hold two balls and the catcher hold one. The pitcher quickly pitches her first ball, catches the ball thrown back from the catcher, and pitches her second ball. She must not only have speed for this drill, but she has to be sure to hit the spots her catcher wants her to hit. For the flamingo, pitchers should stand on their right leg only (left for left-handed pitchers) and pitch while balancing on that leg.