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Wednesday, February 22, 2012  
Fundamentals


Below you will find some information regarding the fundamentals of windmill fast pitch. Placing of the feet and posture are critical in the learning process and when the pitcher is aware of her stance the rest comes natural. Also enclosed are three of the most well-known pitches in the game. Getting comfortable with, and mastering these pitches (The Fastball, The Drop Ball, The Change of Pace or The Change Up) helps provide the fundamental base for a pitcher to excel in girls-fast-pitch-softball!

These, along with many other fundamentals can be found in
Cliff Strickland's Fundamentals of Windmill Fast Pitch.

To order the complete book, please use our Order Form.

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PLACING THE FEET ()

The ideal footing is no wider than the pitcher's hips.

* * RIGHT HANDED * *
Right foot just over top of plate (toes should be able to grip plate). Left foot to back of plate (toes just a little on top).

* * LEFT HANDED * *
Left foot just over top of plate (toes should be able to grip plate). Right foot to back of plate (toes just a little on top).

* * WATCH OUT FOR * *
Toes turning towards each other. Feet traveling around the plate.

* * REMIND HER * *
Look at your feet before you start to pitch. Make sure your feet are positioned correctly. Toes are to point at home plate.

 

POSTURE ()

Just like walking with a book on her head.

LEGS STRAIGHT
HIPS STRAIGHT
STAND TALL
REAR IN
SHOULDERS BACK
CHIN UP

* * WATCH OUT FOR * *
SHOULDERS DROOPING FORWARD
COCKING HEAD TO ONE SlDE
STANDING WlTH HIP TO ONE SlDE
LEANING FORWARD WlTH REAR OUT

* *REMIND HER * *
Don't slouch - get that chin up and rear in. (It is hard to slouch or droop when you are reminded to keep that chin up and rear in.)

* * COACH/PARENT* *
Be sure to look at your pitcher from all angles (front, back, both sides) when teaching her to pitch. You can spot the trouble areas better.



 

GRIPPING THE BALL ()

* * ROOKIES * *

7 - 9 years

These little ones are going to forget a lot, so - BE PATIENT!

They can grip the ball with all their fingers and thumb. Try and show them to wrap their hand around the ball with their fingers just over the top of the seam.

This will give them control over the ball and also help them to feel what the ball is doing.

When they feel the seam of the ball with their fingers as it leaves their hand, they have thrown the ball correctly.

* * MINORS * *

10 - 12 years
As their hand develops, start to move the fingers off the ball (soft hand grip with finger tip control).

 

PRESENTING THE BALL ()

Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rules indicate the pitcher must present the ball before the rotation of the arm begins.

This simply means both the glove and ball must meet together.

* * PRACTICE * *

Toss the ball back to your pitcher as though you were the catcher. Have her practice walking back to the plate; placing her feet properly on the plate; gather her posture; chin up; inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

This exercise will develop into a long standing routine that is healthy.

Breathing through the nose and out the mouth will allow oxygen to enter the mind and body faster providing energy and temperature control.

This will also allow her time to concentrate on her next pitch, as she gathers her thoughts and checks for signals.

This routine is simple, healthy and a good habit to develop.

* * SHE IS NOW READY TO BEGIN PITCHING * *

 

* * THINK NATURAL * *

Have your pitcher relax, with her arm by her side.
The thumb naturally heads toward home plate. Grip
the ball with this thought in mind.

LEGS STRAIGHT
HIPS STRAIGHT
STAND TALL
REAR IN
SHOULDERS BACK
CHIN UP

* * NOW PRESENT THE BALL * *



* * THE FOLLOW-THRU IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY PITCH * *

The Fastball: Grip the ball with the index and middle fingers across the seam of the ball with the ring and little fingers at the side and the thumb gripping the seam on the other side. The ball is delivered with the thumb on top and fingers underneath.

* * THUMB ALWAYS HEADS TOWARD THE CATCHER * *

Follow-thru with the release, in front of the leg while pulling your leg forward. Then flip your hand over ~ towards your belly button or between the legs ~ as fast as you can!

The Drop Ball: Arm should finish with hand reaching for the pocket on the opposite side. Again, use the same grip as for the fastball. Just before release, lift the thumb off the ball and with a quick motion, snap the index and middle fingers upward and over the top of the ball. This motion places a forward spin on the ball causing the ball to curve downward or, in other words - "drop."

ARM CLOSE TO YOUR SIDE
SNAP YOUR WRIST
HAND TO YOUR POCKET

The Change of Pace or Change-Up Ball: Arm should finish chest high directly toward home plate, well out in front of the body. No higher than your chest. Use a pitching motion as if throwing a fastball. Just before the point of release, open the pitching hand, extending the fingers and thumb outward. This places minimal spin on the ball. The lack of spin gives the ball the appearance of floating to home plate.

Ideal speed of the ball is approximately 20-30 percent reduction in speed.



Where are they now? ()

 
Michele Smith




www.michelesmith.com
Lisa Fernandez




www.lisafernandez16.com
Spintech




www.fastpitching.com
 
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