The game of softball is all about technique and skills. For a pitcher, it is very important to throw the softball accurately.
In order to perfect your throw, there are a few tips and tricks that you must learn. These guidelines will help you in achieving a throw with which you will be able to hit the target.
Start off with getting the right equipment. Put on your gloves, get your hands on a softball and find a target suitable for your surroundings.
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Once you are ready you need to stand in the right position. An accurate stance requires you to have your feet shoulder length apart from each other and your knees should be a little bent.
If you wish to maintain your stance you need to achieve shoulder joint stability. Loose shoulder joints (mostly common among women) tend to offer incorrect throws.
For stronger shoulder joints, proper exercise, diet and the supervision of a trainer is a must. If you wish to throw at a fast pace with your instable shoulder joints you might end up getting injured.
Next step is to take the softball in your hands and turn it in a way so that the laces get into a “C” shape. You need to put your fingers on the top lace.
The number of fingers that will cover the lace will depend on the size of your hand. Make sure that your fingertips are touching the lace.
Many trainers suggest a four-seam grip. In this kind of grip two of your fingers (middle and perpendicular) grip the ball from above.
Now let your feet tell you the direction. At this step, you should point your front foot to the catcher in order to throw the softball accurately.
At this moment you should stand in a T position with your arms facing downwards and your elbows are little bent.
It’s time to prepare you for the throw. You should bring both your arms in front of your body. Then take the arm with which you will throw the softball above your head.
Remember to keep both your arms at shoulder height. This alignment is of primary importance when it comes to throwing softball accurately.
The softball should be facing outwards in order to get a consistent throw. Your focus should be your target!
At this stage, you need to shift your body weight to the back foot. Once you swing the softball, you should start shifting your weight to the front foot until the weight gets evenly distributed throughout your body.
Your leg strength is an important factor here. Someone who has weak legs is unable to execute an accurate throw. Again, exercise can help in making your legs stronger and more stable!
The non-throwing arm should retain its height and straight position. The throwing hand should now be bent as well as in an upward position.
Here the most important thing to consider is your bent elbow. You don’t want to have a low-elbow throw which is a common issue among female players.
Keeping your elbow at a lower position reduces your throw speed as well as results in an ineffective throw. Maintaining a high-elbow position is of utmost importance.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding the way to keep your elbow up in an upright position. It is all about practice.
You should then perform the throw by slowly swinging your throwing arm bringing it at the back till the waist. At the same time, your non-throwing hand should come down right next to your front foot.
End your pitch by getting your arm to point directly at your target. Properly finishing your throw plays a significant role in executing a successful throw.
Throwing with full acceleration as well as confidence is very crucial. Someone who is not confident about their throw will not be able to throw accurately.
Your footwork is also vital for an accurate throw. Ask your trainer to guide about the right foot position and foot movement.
You should very closely examine each one of your steps in order to identify the flaws. Using this process you can get over your mistakes in a timely manner.
You can master your throw by practicing again and again! You need to put all of these parts together smoothly without taking a pause or anything like that.
You should be quick and powerful with your throw. But don’t forget to stay controlled as well. Sometimes pitchers get so immersed in throwing fast that they lose control.
For practice purposes there are hundreds of interesting drills that you can conduct alone or with a partner. Don’t forget to search the internet for drills that are most relevant!
Now that you know our secrets to throwing a softball accurately, you should go out there, get your equipment and start practicing!
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