Tips To Avoid Picking The Wrong Softball Pitching Clinics

I have had the opportunity to attend many different softball pitching clinics through the years. As a pitcher myself and also as an instructor, I have seen average clinics and excellent clinics. Some of the down falls to pitching clinics are in the organizational process.

If there is six hours set aside for pitching, and all six hours require a pitcher to pitch, this can obviously be a hazard to the arm of the pitcher. Not even a bag of ice at the end of the day will be able to save a pitchers arm with that amount of pitching repetitions.

Another typical error in a softball pitching clinic is failing to take into account the amount of catchers. Usually the number of catchers is much less than the amount of pitchers. Its unfair to expect a catcher to spend the entire time catching for a pitcher. Some camps use pitchers to catch for pitchers. This is not a smart alternative. It can be dangerous due to the lack of experience.

Well, find a clinic that has gone out of their way to get pitching nets or at least use a fence. This gives a pitcher a set target and is a good way to train. However, they need plenty of softballs to throw and will need to retrieve them after they’ve thrown them all.

Some of the better softball pitching clinics I have been a part of have variation in their time allotted. For example, an extensive warm up is important for safety reasons. As a concept is presented, drills breaking down that concept allow for better understanding. This can also put less pressure on the pitchers arm. Frequent water breaks must be in the plan for proper hydration as well as a snack being provided.

I have been involved in a softball pitching clinic where the campers have been able to take home quality information to help them to continue to improve. Such as a side by side video of the campers pitching form compared to a professional pitchers form. The campers were also given a personalized booklet with skills and drills for the pitcher to look back on.

Remember, softball pitching clinics can help improve any pitcher, but the rest of the time, they are their own pitching coach.