Purpose

Pitchers practice taking a good long stride toward home.

Drill Setup

  • Pitcher stands four or five big steps behind the pitching rubber. (45-50 feet)
  • Catcher is behind home plate.

long distance drive softball pitching drill

How it Works

  1. Pitcher stands with hips open.
  2. She shifts weight onto her back leg and brings her front knee up into the air.
  3. She then drives toward her catcher and throws the ball.
  4. Throw 5-10 pitches from this distance.
  5. Take three big steps back.
  6. Throw 5-10 pitches from this distance.
  7. Take three big steps back.
  8. Throw 5-10 pitches from this distance.

Coaching Tips

  • Goal of this drill is to get the pitcher’s legs moving as much as possible – the farther back she goes the more she has to drive her legs forward to reach the target so make sure the pitcher is really using her legs and generating power from them.
  • The pitcher should be trying to throw the ball on a straight line – no arc. If you see the pitcher throwing with arc you may need to shorten the distance.
  • Young players can start in front of the mound and work back to the rubber.