Practice Softball Before Softball Practice

Ok, I can already here all you fastpitch players saying that I am nuts. Well, I think we already know that to be true but read on young all stars and maybe you will become a nut as well!!

You already know that to become a great fastpitch softball player you have to practice. You not only have to practice but you have to practice perfectly. I mean that you have to do it correct at practice or you are just forming bad habits and "muscle memory" that is really hard to overcome later.

But what the heck are you talking about - Practice Before Practice? What I am talking about is the same thing you have been told at the end of just about every practice you have been to be it softball, basketball, football, band, debate, cheerleading, etc. Your coach always reminds you to work on things at home.

In other words your coach told you to Practice Before Practice, right? So why don't we do more of that? During the school year you have so many things that take up your "Practice" time like homework, eating dinner, taking a bath, and the most important seems to be ...texting and facebooking with your friends.

We all agree the homework and eating are very important and I myself take a bath at least once a month whether I need it or not. I have a little trouble with the last two items on that list. So let's try to lay off them a little.

To become a good softball player you need to put in some quality time doing some hitting off the tee, throwing into a blanket or wall or with your Dad, taking some grounders and just playing catch. If you spend 30 minutes a day doing these you will become a good softball player.

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To become a great softball player you need to add some focus into that thirty minutes every day, and maybe up it to 45 minutes. By focus I mean concentrate on hitting one day, pitching another, fielding, throwing another.

Work on specific hitting concepts like hitting low tee, high tee, inside, outside. Work on hitting the inside seam every time trying to make the ball come straight off the tee. If you have a hitting coach - work on what she tells you to do.

Throwing needs to be worked on for specific weaknesses you may have. Every player has a weakness - just watch them throw and you will agree. Maybe you have started side-arming again, or your back leg is kicking up, or you aren't finishing the throw across your body. Ask your coaches to give you some things to work on. Just make certain you are using correct throwing mechanics and throw 100-200 throws perfectly.

Fielding - work on soft hands techniques if your an infielder. Practice the ponytail flop to help keep your head down and watch the ball all the way into your glove. Practice receiving the ball and using a rounding motion to get back into transition and throwing position. Work on proper mechanics, work on quick release.
If you don't have a partner maybe you can use a tennis ball and throw against the wall or garage door - caution:ask parents first(from experience, ask first).

Pitchers need lots of practice. Try to get in about 100-200 pitches every day or at least 3 days a week. You can work on hitting or fielding the other days. Just be sure you make each pitch perfect.

To become great at anything you have to practice that craft. You can't just show up to the stage and be a great actress. You can't design a new switch mode fly-back power supply without practice. You can't be a great person without practice. So remember to work on your craft and skills every day.

Practice Before Practice to become a great fastpitch softball player and an even greater person.

Keepin' it real...