Set Up

• The pitcher starts on the rubber with the catcher in her ready stance behind the plate.If you are working one on one with the pitcher, you can sit on a bucket in place of the catcher.
• Set up two tees about 6 feet apart from each other straddling home plate about one foot in front.
• Attach one rope (or caution tape) to each tee about knee high, and another rope about chest high.
• This should create a rectangular area around the size and shape of the strike zone.  (you may need to elevate the tees using a box or bucket)

How It Works

• Have the pitcher throw fastballs or changeups at game speed between the ropes and to the catcher.
• Focus on using the correct mechanics of the fast pitch motion - including the stride, windmill, hip rotation, release, leg pinch and follow thru.

For drop balls

• use only the bottom rope and move the tees to 3 feet in front of the strike zone.
• The pitcher should try to throw her drop so the ball goes over the rope, then sinks down below it as it passes through the strike zone.
• You'll know if the drop is working if the catcher is catching the ball down by her shoe-tops.

• use one rope at about midleg level and place the tees 3 feet in front of the plate.
• The pitch should travel under the rope, then rise up through the strike zone before the catcher receives it.

Coaching Points

• Make sure your pitcher avoids slowing down at the release point to "control" the pitch.
• Focus on the explosive stride and windmill circle, and building momentum for a high-velocity pitch.