Softball Fastpitch Drills for Beginners

Softball pitchers are usually the dominant performers in their games. In most cases, it will take many years for a good fast-pitch softball player to develop her fundamentals and become an excellent performer. It takes coordination, athleticism and devotion to the sport. Executing drills on a regular basis can help a girl develop her skill.

  1. Year-Round Control Drill

    • Many softball players live in areas where playing on a year-round basis is impossible due to the weather. This drill can be practiced all year-round in a gym. Mark off a spot on a wall in a gym or another large room that is equivalent to the strike zone. Stand eight feet away from the box and use a stiff-wrist delivery (no windmill) to put the ball in the box five consecutive times. Every time you do this, move back three feet and do the drill again. This will help improve control.

    K-Drill

    • Learn how to put power behind your pitches with this drill. Get on the mound and take the position where you have your stride foot forward and your pitching arm at its highest point. You are going to propel the ball to home plate, but the emphasis will be on your push to home plate. Push violently with your back foot off the pitching rubber to develop power. As you do this drill, you will adjust for accuracy. Take 10 power pitches like this, take a 30-second break and repeat the 10-pitch drill.

    Towel Drill

    • This is designed to help you learn the windmill motion of pitching. Put a folded towel down on the pitcher's mound and put your right knee on it (for right-handed pitchers). Your left knee should be facing toward home plate. Make a windmill circle with your arm as if you were pitching. Now pick up a softball and use this motion to deliver the ball home. This will help you develop accuracy as a windmill fast-pitch softball pitcher.