Three Myths About Pitching Practice

Hey There Friend!

I thought it may be helpful for everyone to hear some of the things my clients tell me about their issues around practice time. While all of these things may FEEL like they could hold you back from getting better, I'll share how some small MINDSET shifts may solve MANY of your issues around finding time to improve!

Myth #1:

You must have at block of time that's at least 30 minutes to get a good workout.

Life is BUSY for all of us. Many of you have families with multiple children, involved in multiple activities all year long! It's often difficult to schedule consistent 30-45 minute practice sessions at certain times during the year.  For example, maybe your daughter is playing fall softball and competing in high school volleyball. Between volleyball practice and games after school every weeknight AND softball games on the weekends, it may be difficult to get FULL workouts (30-45 minutes) in consistently every week.

There IS a way to improve WITHOUT having to invest 30-45 minutes!

I help pitchers that train with me understand the value of 5-10 minutes of FOCUSED daily practice. EVERYONE has 5-10 minutes each day to invest IN something that is important to them.

The key to making these shorter sessions WORK is they MUST be focused on ONE thing AND they must be done FREQUENTLY!

Here's an example:

Let's say you know you need to work on being more aggressive with your lower body when you pitch. Pick ONE drill that you know will help you to do for 5 minutes as soon as you wake up in the morning. I'll tell you below how you can set up a practice space in your bedroom so there is NO reason WHY you can't invest the time!

The frequency that pitchers perform CORRECT reps is MORE IMPORTANT than the length of time they practice! Let me say that again...

The FREQUENCY that pitchers practice CORRECT reps is MORE IMPORTANT than the LENGTH of time that they practice!

If you haven't tried these shorter practice sessions with your pitchers, DO IT! I think they will LOVE the chance to dive deeply into ONE thing they want to improve for just a few minutes every day. I have added these types of practice sessions into all my training programs this year because I've SEEN the value they provide with many of my students. This doesn't mean you will never do longer, more intense workouts. It just gives your another tool to use to help your pitchers improve, EVEN when their schedule is extra busy!

Myth #2:

You must be able to throw full distance and to a catcher to improve.

Many of my students/parents tell me one of their biggest struggles during training is finding a place to be able to throw full distance AND finding someone to catch. While that IS a REAL struggle for many, it's not necessary to have either 43' OR a catcher for pitchers to improve nearly every part of their game!

Some of the BIGGEST gains in mechanics, power, spins and creating deception are made up close to a net or wall!

I teach my students to create at-home practice areas. A couple common ways to do this include:

1. Purchase a bucket of softballs and a net. If you have a 3' x 10' spot in your garage, basement, shed or yard, you are all set to get in some WORK! If you have a space to leave the net set up permanently, awesome! If not, consider purchasing something like a PowerNet. I use these nets I teach because they are super easy to set up and take down quickly. Even young pitchers can set these up and take them down on their own.

2. Find a spot in your bedroom or other room INSIDE your home. That you can do dry reps (no ball) OR use one of the tools I describe below. Something like this makes it really EASY to invest a little time every day because it's SUPER CONVENIENT!

The first 2 months of workouts in my training program are done ENTIRELY up close into a net or wall because I really want pitchers to be able to focus ONLY on their PROCESS.

Don't let not having a full distance spot or a catcher keep your pitcher from getting BETTER! There are SO MANY things she can do up close to a net/wall that will help her GROW!

Myth #3:

You have to throw a softball to get better as a softball pitcher.

If you don't have a spot to put up a net and throw balls into it at your home during the winter months, don't worry!

I have way you can THROW pitches into almost any wall in your home!

One of the FIRST training tools I introduce to my pitchers is a sock ball. What's a sock ball? It's simply a pair of softball socks! HERE is an example of a pitcher using this tool during practice.

Using a sock ball is the BEST way to ensure your pitcher will invest 5 minutes each day to improve something with her pitching skills!

She can roll out of bed, grab a pair of socks, and get 5 minutes of FOCUSED practice in before she starts her day right into a wall in her bedroom!

So, no place to throw a ball, NO PROBLEM! This ONE little tool has allowed pitchers to make HUGE transformations when they USE IT consistently!

In summary,

• 5-minutes of FOCUSED daily practice WILL HELP your pitchers
• You DO NOT need full distance or a catcher to improve mechanics, power, spins and deception during practice
• Throwing a sock ball into a wall is a GREAT way to create a DAILY practice routine

Don't let anything stop your pitchers from INVESTING in themselves this training season!

These are great ways to show them that LOTS can be accomplished if you are willing to change your MINDSET about what "pitching practice" looks like!

Have a great weekend my friend! I'll be in touch again soon!

All My BEST,

Myndie