Arm Mechanics for Young Softball Pitchers

Young fastpitch hurlers can often get overwhelmed by what's expected of them when on the mound. But as the saying goes, analysis can lead to paralysis, and it's important to let young pitchers just go out there and "play" without sacrificing their quality of play.

Here are three key areas of pitching mechanic fundmanetals that can help young pitchers maximize their potential and have fun in the process.

Softball Pitching Tip No:1: The Right Grip

The fingers should be on or across the seams on the ball to form the grip. Just like an overhand throwgrip. (Four-seam grip or Two-seam grip depending upon objectives.)

Keys:

• Four-seam grip lends itself to straighter movement or a straight line
• Two-seam grip lends itself to more variation off that line

A four-seam grip is good for beginners. However, the key is a comfortable grip. Hand shapes andsizes are different; therefore, grip comfort varies based on hand size and shape.

The thumb and middle finger are the strongest digits on the hand. They establish the initial lineof force for the pitch.

When forming the grip across the seams (two or four-seams) the seam should fit into the 1st groove ofthe middle finger for maximum snap at release.

For a proper grip hold the ball in the fingers, not the palm of the hand. (Your pitcher should never experience any pain when throwing a pitch.)

Softball Pitching Tip No.2: The Right Stance

Begin with two feet touching the pitching rubber (ASA rules). This does not mean the middle ofboth feet need to be in the middle of the rubber.

It simply means that any part of each foot must touch the rubber. Teach your pitchers to begin with their throwing foot forward just likethey do when they throw overhand.

Keys:

• Start with both hands relaxed and down in front of the body, with the ball in the glove
• The feet should be balanced and approximately shoulder width apart.
• The ball of the pitching hand foot should be over the front of the rubber
• The toe of the back foot should be pushed against the back of the rubber

Beginners should make every attempt to learn to pitch from the center of the rubber (the line of force at its most centralpoint), with both feet pointed toward home plate.

The pitcher should take the signal from the catcher with their weight on the front foot, which allows the transfer of weightto the back foot.

While the weight is on the front the hands should come together and the pitcher must pause to comply with the pitchingrules. The weight will transfer to the back foot during this move. The rules also dictate that the front foot must remain in contact with the rubber during the transfer of weight.

Softball Pitching Tip No.3: Initial Arm Swing

To start the arm-motion push, the glove with the ball being gripped by the throwinghand, down and slightly back on the throwing side of the body. This will enhancethe pivot of the throwing-side foot.

The shoulders should follow the glove down and back turning slightly to also enhancethe pivot. Weight should transfer back to the inside of throwing side foot.

The glove serves as a guide to the arm so it can stay on one of two llines of force.The first line of force (LOF1) is the line that is created by the completion of thepivot when the front foot lands.

That line is created by drawing a line from the frontof the back foot to the target. The second line of force (LOF2) is the line drawnfrom the release point to the target. Both lines will be close to parallel. LOF2 willbe slightly outside LOF1, but they will both meet at the target.

Ideally, we want to start the arm swing forward as the pivot foot begins to turn andour body begins to "open" to the target. As our arm begins to move forward wewant to keep the ball in our glove as long as "naturally" possible. This will hidethe ball as long as possible to the hitter.

When the front foot lands (at around a 45-degree angle), the arm has completeda circle-like motion over the top on the throwing side of our body. The elbow andwrist have led us up and over. Our arm position should be close to the parallelto the ground and our palm should be faced slightly away from our body pointedthe same was as our chest.

Our glove hand should also be parallel with the glovepointed at the target, palm also facing away. Our shoulders should be on LOF2creating a ball path in front of our hips, knees and chin. Our hips, knees, and chinshould be of LOF1.