If you’re just getting started with softball pitching, or coaching a young athlete who is, you’ve probably asked the same question so many others have:
What are the best softball pitching drills for beginners?
We’re not talking about advanced spin techniques or 60-foot bullpen sessions. We’re talking about the foundational, practical drills that build strong habits early, help pitchers understand their mechanics, and prevent bad form from sneaking in down the road.
Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, these five beginner-friendly pitching drills are the perfect place to start.
- The K Drill – Build Balance and Explosiveness
The K Drill is a classic for a reason. It helps beginners feel what it’s like to drive off the rubber, maintain posture, and get their arm in the right position. It is also a great drill specifically for pitchers who don’t use enough legs.
How to do it:
Start with the pitcher’s back leg bent (as if they’re mid-drive) and their front leg lifted and bent in front of them like the letter “K.” From there, the pitcher finishes the motion into a full pitch.
This drill teaches balance, body control, and how to stay strong through the stride—all absolutely crucial for beginners. It’s a drill you’ll see at every level of the game.
U.S. Olympian Cat Osterman recommends this drill:
- T Drill – For Proper Arm Path and Mechanics
One of the most important elements of softball pitching is getting the arm circle consistent. That’s where the T Drill comes in.
The pitcher begins in a “T” shape with both arms extended—glove hand forward, throwing arm back. From here, they bring the arm around in a smooth circle and deliver the pitch. It reinforces a fluid motion, teaches proper wrist snap, and prevents that awkward “chicken wing” some beginners fall into. It can also be helpful to put a board down to reinforce proper foot positioning for your pitcher, as you can see in the following video.
- Wall Drill – Eliminate Over-Rotation
Beginner pitchers often have too much body rotation, which can lead to accuracy issues and reduced velocity. The Wall Drill helps clean that up.
Here’s how:
Stand next to a wall with your glove-side shoulder facing it. Go through your pitching motion. If your arm hits the wall or your body crashes into it, you’re rotating too much.
It’s a simple feedback drill that forces proper direction and posture. And it’s great for self-correction, even without a coach watching every rep.
- Stride Drill – Get That Foot Placement Right
Where your stride foot lands during the pitch affects everything: balance, power, and accuracy. This beginner drill helps athletes focus on getting that stride direction locked in early.
Use a piece of tape or chalk line on the ground pointing straight at the plate. Have the pitcher throw 10 pitches focusing only on landing directly on that line every time. It’s not glamorous, but it fixes one of the most common beginner mistakes.
- Wrist Snap Drill – For Accuracy and Spin
I saved the simplest for last. The wrist snap drill is exactly what it sounds like, but it’s a pillar of great pitching.
From a standing position just a few feet away, the pitcher practices snapping their wrist through the pitch, focusing on tight spin and keeping the ball on line. You can do this into a net, wall, or with a partner.
Even high-level pitchers still return to this drill to sharpen their release and command the strike zone.
These five pitching drills are the perfect foundation for beginner softball pitchers. They build the muscle memory and body awareness that makes advanced skills possible later on.
More importantly, they help young athletes feel confident on the mound, because nothing beats seeing their first strike cross the plate.
I hope you enjoyed! If you’re looking for more great resources, CoachTube is full of free and affordable pitching courses from some of the best instructors in the game.
