Throughout the years Ive had the opportunity to attend various softball pitching clinics. Some are quite good but many are just average. Being a pitcher myself as well as an instructor, I can spot the down falls easily. The organizational process is one of them. The time set aside for a pitcher is critical to the pitchers arm. If the camp schedules six hours in a row of pitching it can actually hurt more than help. No amount of ice can save that arm at the end of the day.
Another common error is the way softball pitching clinics don't take into account the catching situation. Quite often the number of pitchers out weighs the number of catchers in a clinic. It is also unreasonable to expect the catchers to spend their clinic experience catching for pitchers. However that can be effective at the end to put the knowledge the catchers have gained into action. So who catches for the pitchers? Probably the worst option is to have the pitchers catch for one another. That can turn dangerous quickly due to the pitchers inexperience in catching. The positive side of using this format is its the most efficient means of pitching.
Well, find a clinic that has gone out of their way to get pitching nets or at least use a fence. This gives a pitcher a set target and is a good way to train. However, they need plenty of softballs to throw and will need to retrieve them after they've thrown them all.
Another important aspect to a good softball clinic is to find one that has a set schedule that includes plenty of time for warm up. Without warming up you can actually harm the muscles in your body. Plus, they need to set time aside not only for learning, practicing, and playing different areas of the game, but also set aside times for regular breaks. Playing too much can be harmful to your throwing arm and to your health. These breaks should include plenty of water to avoid dehydration and include snacks to keep up the strength of the campers and the coaches.
Another attribute to a great softball pitching clinic is sending quality information home with the player for continuous improvement. Providing a side by side video of the campers pitching form and comparing it to a professionals pitching form is very effective. Giving out personalized booklets with the skills and drills from the camp is also beneficial.
Remember, softball pitching clinics can help improve any pitcher, but the rest of the time, they are their own pitching coach.
Another common error is the way softball pitching clinics don't take into account the catching situation. Quite often the number of pitchers out weighs the number of catchers in a clinic. It is also unreasonable to expect the catchers to spend their clinic experience catching for pitchers. However that can be effective at the end to put the knowledge the catchers have gained into action. So who catches for the pitchers? Probably the worst option is to have the pitchers catch for one another. That can turn dangerous quickly due to the pitchers inexperience in catching. The positive side of using this format is its the most efficient means of pitching.
Well, find a clinic that has gone out of their way to get pitching nets or at least use a fence. This gives a pitcher a set target and is a good way to train. However, they need plenty of softballs to throw and will need to retrieve them after they've thrown them all.
Another important aspect to a good softball clinic is to find one that has a set schedule that includes plenty of time for warm up. Without warming up you can actually harm the muscles in your body. Plus, they need to set time aside not only for learning, practicing, and playing different areas of the game, but also set aside times for regular breaks. Playing too much can be harmful to your throwing arm and to your health. These breaks should include plenty of water to avoid dehydration and include snacks to keep up the strength of the campers and the coaches.
Another attribute to a great softball pitching clinic is sending quality information home with the player for continuous improvement. Providing a side by side video of the campers pitching form and comparing it to a professionals pitching form is very effective. Giving out personalized booklets with the skills and drills from the camp is also beneficial.
Remember, softball pitching clinics can help improve any pitcher, but the rest of the time, they are their own pitching coach.
About the Author:
Tired of looking for a softball clinic and only finding ones taught by mediocre coaches? Do you want to check out softball pitching clinics taught by Cat Osterman and other Olympic athletes? Go to RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com
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