Softball pitching drills
Windmill drills for a loose release and more strikes, into a net or to a parent catcher.
How coaches assign drills- 3 drills
- All with no partner needed
- Every drill has a video clip
- 10–15 minutes each
3 softball pitching drills
Pitching0:54K Drill (Half-Circle Pitches)
FixesPushing the ball and an inconsistent release
- 10 min
- Ages 9–18
3 sets of 10 pitches
Pitching1:10Walk-Through Pitching Drill
FixesA weak push off the rubber and a stiff, arms-only motion
- 10 min
- Ages 9–18
12 walk-throughs after your K drills: 6 at about 80% effort, then 6 at full effort
Pitching1:0230-Pitch Strike Challenge
FixesWildness and aimless bullpens
- 15 min
- Ages 8–18
30 pitches, 2–3 days a week
How to use these softball pitching drills
What these softball pitching drills work on
They are for windmill pitchers working at home between lessons and practices.
- The release, where most beginners lose control.
- Throwing strikes to a target.
- Gear: a pitching net with a strike zone target works for both, or a parent can catch.
Where to start
- The K drill starts with the arm at the top of the circle, so the pitcher works only on the arm falling through and the release. Pitching coaches use it as a warm-up at every level.
- The 30-pitch strike challenge is a bullpen with a count: throw 30 pitches at the zone and write down how many were strikes. Tracking that number week to week shows whether accuracy is improving.
A softball pitching session at home
- Warm up with the band arm care routine.
- Throw three sets of 10 K drills.
- Finish with the strike challenge.
Pitch counts and rest
- For beginning pitchers, 30 to 60 pitches in a session is plenty, and every drill pitch counts toward the day's total.
- Two or three pitching sessions a week, with a day off in between, gives the arm time to recover.
- Skip pitching the day after games or tournaments.
- If you take lessons, follow your pitching coach's cues.
Softball pitching drills FAQ
What are good softball pitching drills for beginners?
The K drill is the usual starting point. The pitcher starts with her arm straight up and her glove at the target, then lets the arm fall through for the release. Once the release is consistent, the 30-pitch strike challenge adds a target and a count.
How many pitches should a youth softball pitcher throw a day?
A common guideline is at most 50 pitches a day for ages 8–10, 65 for ages 11–12 and 80 for ages 13–14, counting drills. Skip pitching the day after games and stop if anything hurts.
How can a softball pitcher practice alone at home?
Pitch into a net with a strike zone target. Mark the right distance (35 feet for 10U, 40 feet for 12U, 43 feet for 14U and up), warm up, and count strikes out of 30.
More softball drills by skill
- Softball hitting drills9 drills
Tee and front toss work for a short, level swing that drives the ball. Most of these need a tee, a net and a bucket of balls.
- Softball fielding drills7 drills
Ground balls off a wall, short hops, quick transfers and fly ball footwork. A glove, a wall and a few tennis balls cover most of it.
- Softball throwing drills4 drills
Arm path and release work that fits in a living room or backyard.
- Softball catcher drills4 drills
Blocking balls in the dirt with a wall and tennis balls.
- Softball speed and arm care drills3 drills
First-step starts, home-to-first sprints and a band routine to warm up the arm before throwing.
Assign softball drills to your team
Use the drills in this library or make your own. Coaches assign them as homework between practices, and players open each drill on their phone, do it and check in when they finish.
Get the Bravara app- 01
Pick drills or make your own
Start from the softball drills in this library, copy one and change it, or write your own with steps, a YouTube video, your own photos and videos or a link to read. Then assign it to the whole team or to certain players and set how many days a week.
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Players do them at home
Players open the drill on their phone, watch the video or read the steps, do the drill and check in when they finish. They can upload a video of their work too.
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Players log a result
A drill can have one result to track, like strikes out of 30. Results stay private to the player and their family, and players earn XP and levels as they keep checking in.
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The coach sees who did it
Coaches see who has checked in on each drill and can react or reply to a player's check-in.
Assign softball pitching drills with Bravara Reps
Coaches assign drills to the team or to certain players. Players check in from home, log a result and earn XP as they go.
