Make sure you throw with your dominant hand. This is whatever hand feels the most comfortable. Always practice with a glove in your opposite hand – this is how you will have to throw in a game.
The laces provide a surface to grip onto, and you will “pull” on the laces as you throw to give the ball backspin (the top of the ball spins back towards the bottom), which helps the throw’s speed and stability.
To be precise, point your toes roughly 45 degrees away from the spot you throw towards.
You should point your front toes however you feel comfortable. Usually this is sideways.
As you get more experienced, you may begin pointing your glove elbow, not the glove, towards your target. This makes your throwing motion more compact and efficient. [1] X Research source
Try to keep your elbow loose and relaxed – don’t try to keep the “L” shape as you throw. You can throw the ball with more power when you extend your arm all the way behind you. [2] X Expert Source Haley SnyderSoftball Player Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
You can test your backspin by placing black electrical tape perpendicular to the laces of the ball. If you release the ball properly, you should see a solid black “line” of the tape as the ball spins. [3] X Research source Try to throw the ball the ball with a vertical rotation. This keeps your throws are straight, which makes them easier for your teammates to catch. [4] X Expert Source Haley SnyderSoftball Player Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. Balls with a diagonal rotation are a lot harder to catch. [5] X Expert Source Haley SnyderSoftball Player Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
Grip: Toss the ball up and catch it in your glove. As soon as you catch it, grab the ball and turn it in your hands to quickly place all four fingers on the laces. Repeat. Feet: Pick 3-4 different targets in the distance. Toss the ball up to yourself. As soon as you catch it, grab the ball, turn, and set you feet up towards one of the targets, cocking your arm back like you are about to throw. Stop here and note your foot position – are you in a straight line towards your chosen target? Wrist Flick: Hold your arm in front of your body with the ball high and your elbow at shoulder height. Practice throwing the ball with just your upper arm, snapping down from the elbow and pulling back the laces with your fingers and wrist. Your goal is to practice good, consistent backspin.
Grip the ball along the laces. As you bring the ball out of your glove, align your feet with the target. Cock you arm backwards at a 90 degree angle while pointing your glove at the target. Rapidly swing the ball past your head and release. Snap your fingers and wrist down and towards your target. Follow through by bringing your weight and arm forward and down.
In order to properly grip the laces, use the tips of your fingers to hold the ball so that there is a little bit of space between the ball and your fingers.
Your feet should be pointing anywhere between 90 and 45 degrees to the side, away from the batter.
This is called the “arm whip,” because your arm should be loose and relaxed, letting momentum carry your arm quickly through it’s arc and towards your waist. [6] X Research source
Keeping the ball over your toes. You want your arm’s entire arc to stay perpendicular to your body, so avoid letting your hand stray out and away from your torso. If the ball is over your toes the entire time you will keep the ball straight and throw more strikes. Forgetting your fingers. The snap at the end of the throw is crucial to keeping the ball stable at high speeds, so if your pitches are wild or wobble in the air, focus on following through properly. Landing your front foot. As you start throwing, don’t forget that proper foot placement is key to accuracy. Make sure that every time you step forward you are landing towards the target.
You can test your backspin by placing black electrical tape perpendicular to the laces of the ball. You should see a solid black “line” of the tape as the ball spins. [8] X Research source
Push off of your back foot. Plant your front foot towards the catcher. Begin rotating your extended arm clockwise over your head. Drop your glove arm as you arm passes your head Release the ball by your waist. Snap your fingers back into your palm as the ball exits your hand. Follow through to your chest.
This is often the first special pitch you should learn after the fastball.
Put your middle and ring finger in between the laces, at the point where they start to come towards each other. Dig the tip of your index finger into the side of the ball. Begin your normal fastball motion, but keep your palm facing down as you come around behind your back. As you release, quickly turn your hand so that your palm faces up, as if you were turning a doorknob. Release the ball early so that it has time to rise. Remember that this is the hardest pitch to throw, and may take upwards of a year to perfect. [9] X Research source
