Throwing a Backhand Changeup

A backhand changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown in fastpitch softball. A changeup can be an effective pitch if thrown properly because it has less velocity than a fastball. If a batter is not expecting a slower pitch, the batter is more likely to time the swing for fastball and swing too soon. This can make the changeup a good pitch to throw when a strikeout is needed.

Things You'll Need

  • Softball
  • Catcher or pitching training net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grip a softball using the same grip as a four-seam fastball. For this grip, the middle finger straddles a seam of the ball, the other fingers are comfortably spaced across the same seam and the thumb rests on the other seam.

    • 2

      Start the pitching motion, similar to that of pitching a fastball. The arm speed should be the same as it is for a fastball. It is important to not slow down the arm speed, otherwise the batter will be more likely to detect that the pitch is a changeup.

    • 3

      Turn the pitching hand around just as it approaches the hip. The back of the hand should face home plate.

    • 4

      Bring the pitching arm past the hip and with the elbow locked, open the pitching hand. Release the ball off of the fingers, still keeping the same arm speed.