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Windmill pitching drill for youth softball

Updated

In short

Windmill pitching is a beginner-level softball drill. The windmill is the softball pitching motion. Your arm makes one full circle beside your body and the ball leaves at the bottom, right as your hand passes your hip. It builds pitching mechanics, arm circle and timing. It needs softball, glove and catcher or net, and can be done on a field. This page lists 5 numbered steps and 3 common mistakes with their fixes. The demonstration video is AI-generated.

AI demoThis demonstration video is AI-generated: Koach Marisol is an AI character, not a real coach. Real verified coaches review every drill before launch.

What does the windmill pitching drill build?

  • pitching mechanics
  • arm circle
  • timing

Quick facts

Sport
Softball
Level
beginner
Equipment
softball, glove and catcher or net
Space needed
field

How do you do the windmill pitching drill?

  1. Start on the rubber

    Both feet on the pitching rubber, ball in your glove, hands together in front of you.

  2. Separate and step

    Push off your back foot and stride forward as your hands separate.

  3. Swing the circle

    Bring your arm straight up past your ear, over the top, and down behind you. It stays beside your body and never crosses your chest.

  4. Release at your hip

    Let the ball go at the bottom of the circle as your hand passes your hip, and snap your wrist.

  5. Finish balanced

    Land on your stride foot with your weight forward and your arm following through naturally.

What are the most common windmill pitching mistakes?

  • Mistake

    Arm crossing in front of your body

    Fix

    The circle stays flat beside you, like a wheel spinning next to your side.

  • Mistake

    Releasing too early or too late

    Fix

    The ball leaves right at your hip. Early sends it high, late puts it in the dirt.

  • Mistake

    Throwing too many, too fast

    Fix

    Pitching stresses your arm. Build up slowly over weeks and stop as soon as you feel tired.

Who demonstrates this drill?

Koach Marisol, an AI-generated coach character

Koach Marisol AI coach

Circle work and swings. Repeat it until it's yours.

There are 2 softball drills like this one

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