speed v. accuracy

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Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
Love it when parents and pitchers tell me how fast they can throw it. But what I really want to hear, and see, is consistency in placing pitches. IMO, the faster you throw a bad pitch, the faster you walk the batter, that's all.
I don't recall seeing any posts on drills for placement, so I think I'll see what's around here. :)
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
The trinity of softball pitching is command, movement, and velocity in that order. To your point all 3 are a product of great mechanics. Great mechanics are not developed through drills, but rather through very deliberate, focused practice and a high level of accountability. Very few incorporate such things into a practice session. A bullpen session typically consists of some pointless often unproductive drills and then on to some random full motion throwing at a tempo that is anything but what actually happens in a game. Instead focus on placement of a properly rotating fastball to the pitchers throwing hand side of the plate. Until you can put it in a teacup at the bottom, corner of the zone you do not move on until you have mastered the fundamentals and have a solid foundation. Change the practice regimen and you will see a full spectrum increase in performance.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Control is always important, no matter what level you're playing. At the lowest levels of rec ball, keeping the ball in the strike zone is critical simply to minimize walks. I will take a slower strike-thrower over a faster pitcher with little control every time. As you progress through the game, the need for tighter control keeps going up, and the ability to dominate with pure speed goes down.
 
Aug 6, 2013
303
0
This subject is always popular with the masses - I'm setting the Over Under for number of pages for this tread at 50 - whose in?

(and in my opinion Control beats speed if speed has no control - WALKS KILL - But so does getting the ball blasted all over the field - I agree with Riseball you have to have all three command, movement, and velocity in some measure and only practice and reps does that)
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
I think of drills as ways to support mechanics and to work on timing issues but I understand what you're saying. If you can't put a ball where you want it, then it's mechanics and probably physical limitations, as well.
 
Oct 2, 2012
242
18
on the Field
Totally echo what everyone else is saying. Command..Movement..Velocity is for sure the order of focus. I will use pitchers on my team for example. I have two pitchers that are complete opposites in the fact one throws upper 50s and locates well and has a less accurate offspeed. The other throws upper 40's to 50 and has great movment and command of her offspeed and curve. Both are equally successful according to ERA, but the slower pitcher with movement is more effective against good hitting teams. Our 3rd pitcher had good speed for her age (53 mph 2nd yr 12U) but struggled at times to hit corner spots forcing her to throw over the middle more often, however all she talked about was her speed. After a trip through the line-up, she became batting practice. My comment to all my pitchers is....I don't care how fast you can throw it, can you throw it where I want it?
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
The trinity of softball pitching is command, movement, and velocity in that order. To your point all 3 are a product of great mechanics. Great mechanics are not developed through drills, but rather through very deliberate, focused practice and a high level of accountability. Very few incorporate such things into a practice session. A bullpen session typically consists of some pointless often unproductive drills and then on to some random full motion throwing at a tempo that is anything but what actually happens in a game. Instead focus on placement of a properly rotating fastball to the pitchers throwing hand side of the plate. Until you can put it in a teacup at the bottom, corner of the zone you do not move on until you have mastered the fundamentals and have a solid foundation. Change the practice regimen and you will see a full spectrum increase in performance.

Excellent post from someone with a DD that pitches at a very high level...
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
I think of drills as ways to support mechanics and to work on timing issues but I understand what you're saying. If you can't put a ball where you want it, then it's mechanics and probably physical limitations, as well.

The problem with most drills is that they do not accurately represent what should happen in the full pitching motion. Subsequently they are often counter productive. Drills should be used sparingly, either to learn new concepts or as a last resort to fix a significant mechanical issue. Instead of doing drills it is often more productive to throw full motion and focus on specifics.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Excellent post from someone with a DD that pitches at a very high level...

Thanks [MENTION=9236]FP26[/MENTION]! Although Jake can bring 70mph and at times has some sick movement it is her command that gets the job done. If you watch her in the bullpen at SC you will probably see her throw at a knot on the end of a string that is suspended at the bottom corner of the strike zone. When you see her nail it 8 out of 10 times you know she is ready to bring her A game. :)
 

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