Core Training

How to Break Bad Pitching Habits

The summer softball season has come to an end, which means fall ball is right around the corner. After the conclusion of the summer season, tryouts are held for club ball teams, and the younger age groups will be assigned to their fall travel teams. Coming right off a summer season can be a challenge for softball pitchers. Summer season is full of games and can be limited in practice time, especially individual pitching practice.

Pitching in a game is very different than pitching in practice or at a pitching lesson. In games, a pitcher’s primary job is to throw strikes across the plate. Individual pitching practices and lessons are the time and place for pitchers to work on drills and mechanics. By the end of a long summer season, a pitcher’s mechanics will look completely different than they did at the beginning. When pitcher’s get tired, their mechanics and form are the first things to go.

It is encouraged for pitchers to do a few tune up pitching lessons throughout the summer season with a pitching coach to halt the formation of the bad habits. These tune up lessons will help the pitcher with her form and mechanics before getting back on the mound during a game. Pitchers should not be thinking about or making mechanic adjustments while in the circle with a batter in the box. That’s what in between innings, warm ups, and practices are for. The only thought a pitcher should have when the batter steps into the box is getting her out.

Forming bad pitching habits over the summer months is almost inevitable in softball. Too many games are played for it not to happen. Something will go out of whack, it can be expected, and it is going to be okay. The easiest way to break a bad habit is to take some time off. Give your pitcher a week off – if time allows, following the conclusion of the summer season before fall tryouts and games begin. This break will be beneficial for the mind and the body, and it is one that is recommended and needed for all position players on the softball field.

Make sure to spend the first few practices, after their break and the summer season, focused on basic mechanics. Reinforce the importance of the Power Line, and make sure the pitcher takes the time to complete wrist flick, T, K, kneeling, and standing arm circle drills before doing any full pitching. By breaking down the basic mechanics of the pitch, this allows the pitcher to regain her muscle memory and body control. You’ll be surprised how much more polished the pitcher’s motion, mechanics, and pitch look after a break and lots of drill work.

There will be much more time for pitching practice during the fall season, so take advantage of it! The fall season is a great time to get back in with pitching instructors to work on things. Speed and developing a new pitch are common fall projects pitchers work on with their pitching coach. Use fall ball as a time to work on and practice things the pitcher plans to bring to the softball field next summer. Now get out there, identify the bad habits, put in the practice time, and kick those bad habits to the curb!

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