Softball Pitching Techniques – Playing Mind Games with Your Opponents

Softball Pitching Techniques – Playing Mind Games with Your Opponents

If you think that softball is a game won by who’s strongest, then you’re in for a surprise. The truth of the matter is that softball is a mental game as much as it is a physical one.

One of the key components of playing mind games in softball is your ability to deceive your opponent. With that ability, you keep your opponents guessing about your next move. And if they don’t know what you’re doing next, then that would surely have a negative effect on how they’ll play their game.

And nobody benefits from mind games in softball than pitchers. More than just learning the most basic softball pitching techniques, you should also know how to use this knowledge to your advantage.

The Name of the Game is Deception

Deception is one of the greatest weapons that a pitcher can have in her arsenal. As a pitcher, you should expect opposing batters to have enough time to get used to how you throw your pitches.

And once they get used to your pitching style, then they’ll be hitting your throws – or not – easily, which you don’t want to happen.

That’s why it’s important that you master the different types of pitching there are. Having varied pitching styles keep the opposing batters guessing what you’re going to throw at them next. And when they can’t read the next step you’re taking, then they’ll have a lesser chance of hitting the ball.

The Different Pitches You can Use

There are a number of different pitches that you can choose from. For one, there’s the fastball. Fastballs are great if you know that the batter’s reaction time is a tad bit slow.

When you throw a fastball at this type of player, you can be sure that they won’t know what hit them even after the ball has reached the catcher’s glove.

There’s also the curve ball. A good curve ball leads a batter into thinking that the ball travels in a straight path, only for it to go off course as it gets near her.

But as far as deceiving batters go, nothing probably beats the change-up. This type of pitch makes your opponent believe that you’re throwing a fast ball. But all of a sudden, the ball slows down just as it gets near the plate.

The beauty of the change-up lies on the fact that it throws your opponent’s timing off. And when this happens, expect the batter to swing the ball much earlier in anticipation of what looked like a fastball.

Keep Your Throws Varied

Every pitcher has a favorite type of pitch. A particular pitch could be easier to throw or it could be something that batters find difficult to hit.

But if you’re a really smart pitcher, I strongly recommend that you vary your throws. I don’t care how often I’ll have to mention that here or in my other articles, but it’s one of the surest ways of becoming a pitcher that batters fear to face on the field.

So keep on practicing your different pitching techniques and keep them varied every time. Keep your opponents guessing and continue putting off their timing. Your coach and your teammates will love you for that.