3 Ways to Change It Up!

If your pitcher's like most of them, the change up is their least favorite pitch to throw and the one that needs the most work. But all the pitcher wants to do is pitch faster, not slower, so improving the change up doesn't ever seem to happen. Here's some simple advice for improving your pitcher's changeup.

1. Attack the Change - I know it sounds crazy to say your pitcher has to attack a pitch that is designed to go slow, but that's exactly what needs to happen. The ball goes slower because of either the way the pitcher grips it or releases it (depending on the type of change up she's throwing) and NOT because she slows her hand down at the release point!
2. Explode on the Follow Through - Try this - wad up a sheet of paper and ask your pitcher to pitch it all the way to her catcher. In order to do it your pitcher is going to have to really explode into her follow through, and that's exactly what she has to do with a ball as well. The speed of the pitch is determined by the grip or release (based on the style) and the distance is based upon the speed of the follow through.
3. Practice - There's no way around this one. The reason most pitcher's change ups are too good is that they don't practice the pitch. Throwing any pitch once or twice and then looking for a new way to throw it isn't a great plan for excellence. Practice is the key to this pitch, and to all the others!

For fantastic drills, fundamentals, videos and demonstrations on how to improve all aspects of pitching from the mental game to the different pitches you've got to check out our 4 pitching DVD's:

• Controlling Pitchers Counts and Pitchers and Catchers Drillmania
• Breaking Down the Pitching Motion - Fastball Mechanics
• Advanced Motion Pitches - Riseball and Screwball
• Fastpitch Softball Pitching DVD Pitchers Potpourri - "Identifying Problems Pitchers Face & How to Correct Them" and "Softball Issues Q&A"
• Or for a GREAT value get our Pitching Clinic Series 4 DVD Set