Pitching and Pitchers Discussion pre-game for pitchers and others

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I would like to know what pitchers do to warm up before a game to get ready. ?Should she work on one pitch until she gets it down, and then move on to another? ?Should she work on pinpointing pitches? ?Mine is getting off to slow starts in games and I am hoping it is the warmup, and that I can change her routine. ?Should pitches that aren't working well in warmups be eliminated or reduced in usage for the game.

Also, what do teams do in general before a game? ?How much hitting is done and how?

I just want to get my team off to a good start, especially since we are very young. ?(I am starting 4 freshmen, and a sophomore.) ?It seems like as a team we start slow.

Thanks

 

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Mark:

Here's a short commentary on pitchers' pre-game warmups:

http://www.pitchsoftball.com/Pre-PracticeandPre-GamePreparation.html

As for the question what to do about pitches that aren't working well in warmups, depending upon how many pitches she has, you might be forced to use that pitch to keep the batters off-balance. Hopefully you can get through the top of the line-up without relying on the pitch and she can establish some confidence in the pitch by using it on the bottom of the line-up, which sometimes in HS ball can be pretty weak.

If I remember correctly, you had a prior post suggesting that 3-0 counts can be a problem for your team. So if by "not working" you mean not in the zone (as opposed to not breaking. etc), I'd obviously stay away from that pitch on 2-0 counts.

Hope your season goes well. And for the umpteenth time, here's a shoutout to Witz for all the time and thought that he is devoting to his team. DD now has a HS coach who does the same and the change is delightful.

 

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Mark,

What I have always tried to do with my teams and even more so my pitchers is establish a set routine for warm ups. So much so that we even practice it in practice. So it becomes second nature to them when it comes time to warm up.

1. Circle up and do exercises designed to loosen the muscles. There are many your team can do but make them do them in the same order and routine every time. Whatever you choose for them. Most of all make sure they do them TOGETHER. Let them talk and have fun but make them do the work. At the end make them run, jog for distance. When they get back make them do 30 yard sprints. Forward, backward, Karaoke, Lunges. Softball is a game of speed. Legs need to be really warm. Even more important in cold climates like Ohio.

2. Throwing. Get the arms loose. Time to get up tempo on the warm up. Start out 20 feet apart and every 5-7 throws they back up 3 steps. Start the ball on the same side for everyone and tell them you want to hear the gloves pop at the same time. The warmer they get the louder it gets. Sends a message to the other team. We are here to play. Do not let them get out of sequence. If they do they run. (During Practice when your teaching) They throw as a team.

3 Hitting. Pitchers and Catchers always go first. Period. They have to have time to warm up. Set up 3 stations (Soft Toss, Bunting, and Wiffle balls) and pair off your girls into teams of 2. Have them rotate through the stations. Always mix them up so that they have to work with every member of the team over the course of the season. It aint about you and your best friend. Its about you and your teammate. Focus on good form during hitting drills.

Make them work together and you watch. You will learn a lot about your players when you observe them out of their comfort zone working with other teammates. The ones that work well with everyone are leadership material. Regardless of grade.

4. Infield and outfield. You know the drills and if you dont watch other teams. They are your best resouce. Some of the best drills I have picked up have been from watching other teams warm up just walking around between games and observing other good coaches warming up their teams.

I always carry a notebook in my back pocket during games and I take notes on things that dont work well. I also use it to help me remember things I have observed about other teams I watch. This includes their warm up drills. (Huge hint there coaches )

Pitchers and catchers.

What I have done in the past as an instructor is use drills that will become their warmup rotine. They do these drills in the same sequence every time for EVERY warm up. By doing that, if they do them, I know they will be warm. ( I always watch to make sure they are doing them and I will call them out if they dont. This is done in private not in front of the team. After the game or practice. She has a game to focus on. She doesnt need to be upset at me before taking the mound.)

This is before they ever throw a pitch to warm up. As far as what pitches and sequence. Empower her to develop that. She is the pitcher and she has to be comfortable with the routine. Your only concern is to make sure she throws them all and they all work. She needs to tell you what is and is not working. This develops a communication between you and your pitcher. You need to tell her that is your expectation.

Also, the catcher needs to tell you what she felt was and was not working. You hope they match. Sometimes they do not. The three of you discuss that and get on the same page before she walks out to pitch. Make sure the signals are down pat.

Hope this helps.

Elliott.

 

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These have been two outstanding responses. ?This all helps tremendously!

I am going to be totally prepared for our next game.

Thanks