Breakfast for Your Body & Mind: This article covers the importance of a balanced breakfast for mental and athletic performance.  It also give useful tips.  Visit the Sports Nutrition page for more information on sports nutrition for athletes, softball players and pitchers.

Leg Power: Pitcher: The article discusses the need for generating leg power and conditioning the legs.  It also provides exercises for pitchers of all ages.  Visit the Strength & Conditioning page for more information on strength and conditioning for softball players and softball pitchers.

Champions Have a Strong Core: The article discusses the importance of core training and conditioning. It also provides basic core exercises and descriptions.

I provide fastpitch softball pitching lessons to young athletes in Texas.  Located in Galveston, Texas, most of my clients are in the Galveston County and Houston areas.  My fastpitch softball coaching services include teaching the fundamentals/mechanics of the windmill pitch for the fastball, changeup, drop, rise, curve and knuckle ball.  In addition, I help young athletes develop advanced pitching/training techniques and strategies. 

I have had 13 plus years of pitching instruction and additional education in Physical Education and Kinesiology at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  In addition, I have multiple exercise certifications.  My advanced knowledge of pitching mechanics from a pitcher and academic perspective has given me a unique understanding and approach to teaching the windmill softball pitch to players.  I use multiple teaching methods and techniques to train clients and continue to develop new drills and training programs. 

Before making the decision to take lessons from me or any other coach, please take a moment to browse through the rest of my site and read some of the articles I have written.  This initial decision is very important.  Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions or comments.  I would love to hear from you.  Email: krodrig6@yahoo.com

Becoming a softball pitcher takes a great deal of dedication.  It takes time and practice to develop in to a decent pitcher.  In order to be a great pitcher, it often takes a lot of sacrifice too. 

The role of a Parent/Guardian:

Becoming a great pitcher is not a solo act.  The player and parent/guardian must work together to achieve this goal.  It often takes financial commitment to take pitching lessons from a coach.  The parent must also be present for pitching sessions and practices.  A coach can only do so much.  Much of what is taught in a pitching session needs to be reinforced at home.  Parents must also provide moral support.  While it is a tight rope to walk, parents must know how and when to push and praise their young athlete. 

The Role of the Pitcher:

While parents must take on a great deal of responsibility, the pitcher must also take some initiative.  Many drills require very little equipment and assistance from others.  Pitchers must be driven enough to practice without anyone else present.  In addition, they must also juggle academics, athletics and socializing.  Pitching is not a casual position.  Training to be a pitcher is almost a year round process. 

Attitude:

While a lot of emphasis is sometimes placed on body type and natural ability, having the right attitude or personality is more important.  Most pitchers can overcome many of their physical shortcomings by having the right attitude.  Some of the most important characteristics are as follows:

• Eagerness to learn
• Drive
• Strong work ethic
• Positive
• Patient
• Commited
• Competitive
• Analytical/Reflective
• Good listener
• Has fun playing the game
• COACHABLE!!

If you've come to the conclusion that pitching is right for you or your daughter, then the next step is very important.  Choosing a coach...

Choosing a coach can be difficult.  There are a lot of different people giving lessons.  Each coach has his or her unique philosophy.  It is also important to note that there is more than one pitching style.  While many of the styles should have the same fundamental idea, technique can vary.  The best coaches are familiar with many different styles and techniques for pitching.  Your pitching coach should be able to show you more than one way to hold and release the ball for different pitches.  If the style that you choose is different from many of your peers, then this might even work to your advantage.  Many college coaches want pitchers with different styles in order to force opposing teams to adjust from one style to the other.

What to look for?

• A pitching coach should have some experience as a pitcher.  Sometimes you find a mom or dad giving lessons because their daughter was once a pitcher.  These coaches are often limited in their training.  They usually cannot demonstrate proper mechanics and can only give basic instruction.  As your daughter gets older and needs more advanced training, they will not be helpful. 
• A good pitching coach should be able to guide pitchers physically and mentally through the game.  Afterall, pitching is 90% mental.
• The coach should have a strong understanding of pitching mechanics and the scientific reasoning behind each motion.
• A great pitcher does not always equal great coaching.  Just because the pitching coach was once a good pitcher does not mean that he or she knows how to teach pitching.  Make sure that emphasis is placed on quality of instruction.
• If you are unsure of whether or not a pitching coach is right for you, ask to sit in on a pitching session.  You will see how the coach interacts with the player and parents.  In addition, you will also get to see one of his or her students in action.  The proof is often in the pudding.  If he or she isn't putting out good pitchers, then clearly there is a problem.