| All softball trainers will uniformly tell you to first | | | | and softball sanctioning associations require them |
| learn and practice, and master good pitching | | | | to be. |
| mechanics first and not be unduly obsessed with | | | | Most trainers recommend that every pitcher |
| throwing strikes when you are beginning to learn | | | | must start to learn pitching by using a 4-seam |
| how to pitch. Learn to do pitching right and then | | | | grip - in other words, one that will cause the |
| you can eventually add speed and also | | | | pitched ball to rotate top-to-bottom with all four |
| concentrate on accuracy. Please understand that | | | | seams cutting the air. For the basic 4-seam grip, |
| pitchers who do not take adequate time to | | | | place the pads of your fingers on the seams on |
| properly learn the art of pitching mechanics but | | | | the side of the "U" (horseshoe). After the |
| begin to throw the ball expose themselves to | | | | 'Presentation' stage as mentioned earlier, most |
| injuries and also invariably pitch slower and with | | | | softball leagues and associations state that the ball |
| less accurately. | | | | and the glove must at least momentarily touch |
| Any softball player learning the game must | | | | one another before starting the pitching motion. |
| regularly indulge in jogging to ease the muscles, a | | | | Those beginning to learn pitching must start with |
| few stretching exercises, overhand throws from | | | | hands low, keep the ball-glove touch below the |
| varying distances and underhand throws from | | | | waist, and then go right directly into your |
| varying distances and finally full distance, full speed | | | | backswing. You can develop a lot of extra motion |
| pitching. | | | | into the pre-pitch routine after you gain mastery |
| Next, we need to discuss how to properly | | | | over pitching. |
| approach the pitching rubber. Most softball leagues | | | | As a matter of fact, the speed or height of your |
| and trainers insist girl pitchers to approach the | | | | backswing are less important at this stage and it |
| pitching rubber from behind to prepare for a pitch. | | | | is recommended that you do what you feel most |
| So this is possibly the right time to practice and | | | | comfortable doing. The only time arm speed |
| getting used to doing it. Learn to step up to the | | | | matter is when it is going forward, especially |
| rubber from behind, and with the ball in one hand, | | | | during the final downswing just before releasing |
| the glove on the other. This is called the | | | | the ball. |
| ‘presentation’ as it indicates to the batter | | | | The release of the ball is of paramount |
| that you ready to pitch. | | | | importance. There are several techniques to |
| Another important factor to know is stance. Take | | | | simultaneously follow as the arm swings down |
| a stance on the pitching rubber that you find | | | | toward the release point - keep the wrist back, |
| comfortable. The suggested stance is to stand | | | | keep your arm outstretched but not stiff, avoid |
| erect, with your feet well spread out to remain in | | | | snapping your wrist forward at this point, keep |
| balance, hands at your side (as stated earlier ball | | | | fingers behind the ball and stay tall at the time of |
| in one and glove on the other), and your neck and | | | | release. Bring your shoulders back as your pitching |
| upper body muscles feeling totally relaxed. The | | | | arm starts its final downswing toward the release |
| feet must obviously be placed where the league | | | | point, so you can be upright and tall at the finish. |