How To Pitch The Backspin - Slow Pitch Softball Pitching School

[@rickw3598]

At 69, I wish I’d found you 40 years ago. That said, your videos are flat out amazing. It makes me excited to keep on out there. Thank you.

[@madvillian1386]

I utilized your backspin pitch in my first game pitching. I wasn't getting the wrist snap down and the pitches were coming in low for the first inning. After I settled in a bit, I began getting the hang of the wrist snap. I can't remember the last time I've seen so many ground balls. Thanks very much for your videos and advice, I think I will be put in to pitch much more frequently this year now.

[@RobertsActiveRetirement]

I haven't pitched for 50 years but joined my softball team at my active adult community as pitcher. We just started try outs. I am using this pitch as my main pitch. I am excellent at bocce and I see some similarities. I am just going to take one step at a time and master this pitch to throw strikes while varying the height of the pitches. Thanks very much for your videos.

[@marcusweatherford1317]

Love the videos! I have played for several years but never pitched, but because of injuries,people not being able to make games etc. We had no back up pitcher. So I started to mess around with it and came across your videos and they have helped tremendously. I spent 100's of hours just practicing on my own before ever attempting a game. I am still having issues with the screwball, where it may be works only 50% of the time and I don't have the confidence yet with that specific pitch, however, the backspin,knuckle and curve all work phenomenal. I did need to adjust a few things for my own personal arm motion,angle and etc but overall I have been able to execute these pitches with no problem for the most part. I gotta say that my slider, thrown for a strike (which I have been told probably moves almost 2 feet) followed up with a knuckleball is A KILLER. The amount of mis-hit balls, strikeouts,foul outs, and ground balls is incredible. One thing I wanted to mention on here is that I love to mess with hitters timing and sometimes I will pitch in motion, and other times I don't even take a step and I stay planted and toss the same pitch. I noticed that after going through a lineup a couple times one way, and then switching to a different stance really messes the batters timing up. Because where they may have had an extra couple seconds to prepare for a pitch if I am in full motion, opposed to one that i throw more in a UTRIP fashion is no different, but they do not have that timing down and usually ends up as a ground ball to the infield, or a bloop hit(sometimes depending on the batter I can accept a bloop hit over a blast) *My main point of this comment/question I feel I may have figured out on my own but maybe with some input I can correct it, or make it better. Now, I know it is because of my personal arm angle,hand size,grip etc but my backspin pitch seems to work like a screwball but with minimal movement and I tend to throw it for a ball, or it gets smashed because it doesn't move....are there any other grips that u have found that work just as well???

[@kendalshepard2883]

Great tips! Thanks! The Backspin, Slider, and Screwball are working just great! Thanks for the coaching tips. The opponents are definitely not liking so many unusual pitches! lol!

[@southwestassets]

Extremely well presented and explained pitching techniques. Many thanks!

[@janeb410]

Thanks for these videos! I've been pitching in a coed league for many years and the backspin is my problem. Ive got a forward spin slider and screwball and a not so consistent knuckle, but backspin pitches are my problem. Always throwing it short!

[@flamingdragon3861]

This is some really cool stuff man, great breakdown

[@iescorpmb]

Fantastic videos. Im just getting started in pitching. Do you have a video for basics of distance and accuracy?

[@kbro666]

Awesome video. I normally always pitch with a back spin but this is good information to master it. My only thing I do different is I grip it like you would a Vulcan change up and at times I can get it to curve to the left side of the plate

[@utah32804]

Thanks, Keith, glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@ppopovich2847]

Thanks for the great video, Ace. Has both improved and impaired my pitching. I now have a larger arsenal of pitches and a higher spin rate, but alas, a bit less accuracy. Against free-swinging teams, it helps, but against disciplined hitters I sometimes give up too many walks. However, as I keep practicing I know the accuracy will improve and I certainly am enjoying being a multifaceted pitcher. BTW, at 8:13 on the video, I believe you meant topspin.

[@layneclark2790]

Could having a small hand hinder the grip on the ball I have always pitched with a forward spin. I am trying this out but definitely cant get that kinda split on 12" softball like that without my 4th ring finger in there.

[@robertsprague4687]

Instructional videos are great: enabled me to go directly to decent city league pitching with no experience; I now have a decent power pitch, slider, and knuckleball. The only challenge is to better control lateral position of the power pitch; too many pitches a few inches off the plate on either side. Any suggestions?

[@jonnykamp4066]

I want to personally thank you for your knowledge and love for pitching, I'm 45 and this is my first year pitching. I've tried in the past with Normal underhand pitch but was not accurate by a mile. Then I found you on KZbin and in the late spring started learning the high-speed backspin and been working on it all summer. Players from opposite teams and umpires don't believe me that this is my first year pitching. Also how long should I wait before I start to learn a new pitch?

[@utah32804]

Thanks for the props Jon. You can start working on your next pitch anytime. I recommend working on more than one pitch in every practice session, alternating pitches as you go. In my practice sessions, I usually throw a pitch until I find the groove, then move on to the the next. It may take me 20-30 pitches for each pitch. Then I start alternating pitches, maybe three each in a row. Then to finish up, I'll throw another 50-100 pitches, alternating every pitch. This workout pattern helps me stay "game day" sharp going from one pitch to another.

[@michaelcordova415]

I'm new at slowpitch softball pitching do you have any advice or videos for underhand pitches?

[@bryceyplays5148]

How would set up your pitches for the backspin and knuckle ball combo?

[@MrJpiarull]

How good are these pitches in Utrip tourneys where it's 6-10 and you only have the mat to work with?

[@WildAthletics]

Thanks for the great videos. I have been pitching this season, and couldn't have done it without your tips. I was wondering if you were going to publish any new videos this year?

[@pauldoesitall]

This was such a nice video, thanks!

[@awright531]

Very informative. Looking forward to more.

[@nicholasmurgolo6905]

We play in a clincher ball league. Does that affect anything at all?

[@martincumba3041]

Do you conduct live pitching school academies anywhere?

[@dominickmanente7080]

my question is when i put backspin on the ball i put a loy of backspin on the ball but it comes off my fingers fast is that good or shouls come off slow its a hard spin

[@gerardschmenk6264]

Was wondering if you pitch differently to a person who has a baseball swing instead of a Softball swing? As you probably know already a baseball swing is more down then up, compared to a softball swing is more level to slightly up. I as a pitcher have found I try to pitch deeper pitches to those baseball swings, because they just drive the shorter pitches so well. Heck I’ll even pitch it a foot short of plate to get them to swing at garbage and those baseball hitters will still drive them. That’s when I started to pitch them deeper.

[@utah32804]

That's a good point, Gerard. Most baseball players have a tough time adjusting to slow pitch softball at first, and I find that they do hit flat pitches better than high arc pitches. It has more to do with the intersection of the ball path and bat swing than it does the depth of the pitch. When the path of the bat is more in line with the ball trajectory, there is more room for timing error. When the ball trajectory and bat swing path are at a greater angle, then the hitter's timing must be very accurate to make solid contact, avoiding topping or undercutting the ball.

[@jramosbklyn]

Cant wait for the knuckle ball video.

[@utah32804]

Working on it now, I hope to have finished before the end of the week. Thanks for watching!

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

@@utah32804 is Knuckleball video releasing this week?

[@brandonknight4895]

You've got some great stuff here and just the backspin pitch is helping my game and teams. I have started mixing it in with the traditional pitching and it really has gotten some big outs. The question I have for you is does change the grip matter when I try to throw breaking balls. I feel like if I can keep one grip for all these pitches it could help me keep the batters off their game. Also if I get some video of my pitches can you help give me some pointers. I'm trying to learn the breaking pitches but they just aren't coming along.

[@utah32804]

Brandon, watch my video on all the grips for my pitches. You'll notice that they are all very similar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjap56brNOtlcU

[@macedoniabaptistchurch4925]

Very helpful thank you sir! May God bless you!

[@timhoblin9521]

I'm beginning my 16" pitching career in Chicago -- my hand can't quite get laces with both my fingers and thumb -- which finger would you say is more important to be on the laces? Or should I rotate the ball slightly to ensure all 3 fingers are on laces?

[@utah32804]

Great question! Tim. Your goal should be to maximize spin rate while improving control as you progress. Experiment with your grip and focus on each finger. Once you decide which gives you the best spin rate, stay with it, then work on your control. You may find that the three finger grip with a rotation adjustment gives you the best spin. Remember the most important aspect of the pitch is command/control not spin rate or movement. If you learn to put the ball where you want it, you're well on your way to controlling the game.

[@whel-auxnavigatesthedystop8709]

I pitched all weekend at a recreational level tournament in Bristol UK and we made the final but then...in the final they had a 2nd base umpire who kept calling my pitches illegal because my back foot came off the rubber during my action. He gifted the opposition about 3 walks that way and broke our morale. I'd really like to hear your opinion.

[@otaurasi]

What if you have smaller hands? Pitchers on my team use a "clincher" ...is it all about gripping the ball at the seams?

[@CARLOSEVER1972]

i have some hand problem how i can throw forward slide or knuckleball.or sliders

[@darinstrenzel3739]

The more skilled regional level hitter swing more like they are chopping down a tree (downward angle) then even level or up. Would you think this pitch is better or worse to throw against each attack angle?

[@WillyDial]

i noticed during the slow-motion comparison of the forehand and backspin pitches that you actually released the backspin pitch 1st and it hit the ground 2nd... i realize some of this is due to the higher arc... but this demonstrates clearly how much different the timing for the hitter is with these two pitches... both from the arc and the rotation...

[@utah32804]

I think both forward and backspin pitches can be used to give the batter a different look and arc angle. Even though I have moved away from the forward spin pitch, I see pitchers use both together effectively.

[@zakbassett5402]

This was a very informative video as I recently started working on becoming a pitcher at a competitive level. I have been reviewing all of your content and have a question for you. I have been following sw48's KZbin channel where he posts the major/conference video compilations from tournaments across the country. I find that most of these elite pitchers at this level are using the traditional pitching motion so my question is, how do you integrate the various pitches and the techniques that you show us throughout your videos for the traditional pitching motion? I just want to be clear that I am humbly looking for advice and do not hold myself above the game of softball. Thank you for your content and helpful tips.

[@utah32804]

Hi Zak. When you say, "traditional pitching" motion, what do you mean?

[@zakbassett5402]

I apologize as I might be confused but I mean when the wrist is behind the ball on release if that makes sense or the palm is facing the batter.

[@utah32804]

​@@zakbassett5402 Gotcha. You can't throw a back-spin pitch with your hand or palm under the ball. Almost all pro-level pitchers pitch a high percentage of knuckle-balls and use mis-direction and changes in timing to delivery. As you can tell from my channel, my audience is the city-league or "WeekNight" pitcher. The techniques I use are effective when used at this level, and I believe, with thoughtful integration could be effective at a higher level also. Thanks for the props!

[@zakbassett5402]

@@utah32804 Absolutely. Thank you so much for your help. Our team just got bumped up to B this year and while I am a young outfielder (24), there is just something about pitching that I love and it definitely wouldn’t hurt to develop another tool in the shed. Thanks again for your awesome content.🙂

[@utah32804]

Congratulations, Zak! Best of luck to you.

[@skinz0821]

What is the arc IN THE LEAGUE YOU PITCH IN? 6-10?

[@ericbabb8988]

Thank you for the videos. I use to pitch a long time ago. Was ok but not great. I started watching your videos and started swinging my arm farther back, but now I'm always pitching deep. How do i shorten it up?

[@utah32804]

Hi Eric, If you're pitching with a backspin and throwing deep, focus more on your wrist snap and less on your forward arm motion. This will increase the backspin rate while shortening your pitch distance. Let me know how it goes. Thanks!

[@josh994875]

Really appreciate your videos! I was wondering if you throw a forward spin pitch in games or do you strictly throw backspin?

[@utah32804]

Josh, I used to throw forward spin years ago but stopped throwing it when I realized the advantages of the backspin pitch. My only reluctance to changing to backspin was a question of accuracy, could I learn to hit my spots. After committing to learning the backspin, I found it to be my most accurate pitch. I only pitch the forward spin now for team BP, as it is the most common pitch they see in games.

[@josh994875]

@@utah32804 Thank you for your time. Look forward to the next video

[@zemr6]

Thanks for posting all these videos. Would love to hear your approach to any of these pitches in the case of unlimited max height leagues. How would that change your approach to batters? Usually in our league when a pitcher gets that 2nd strike, they start launching it up super high to get the batter to chase anything close.

[@utah32804]

The league I play in is ASA/USASoftball. The legal pitch height is from 6' to 12'. Some of our umpires don't judge height well and will allow pitches up to 15' to 16' high. When they do, I go as high as I can with the knuckleball and backspin pitch. The downside is the margin of error. The higher you go, the harder it is to keep the pitch in the strike zone. It only takes a small error to pitch deep or hit the plate. You have to spend a lot of time practicing this pitch and it is illegal in most leagues so I haven't covered it yet.

[@joshuajpeterson]

If I may, I have a question on this pitch. I have watched this video dozens of times and have tried to mimic the pitch with over 1k practice pitches. Do you have any idea why I have trouble still commanding the line and pitching too deep? This seems to be consistent throughout all my practice and adjustments. Thanks so much for all the helpful videos you put out.

[@jwd1337]

Release point

[@vancast9396]

Can the different types of pitches be done with a forward spin as well?

[@utah32804]

Vanessa, I know of pitchers who throw good breaking pitches with a forward spin but I don't throw them myself. I believe the backspin pitch has inherent advantages over the forward-spin pitch, breaking pitch or not. In slow pitch, you need every advantage you can get so I stay with the backspin except when I pitch BP as most of our opponents pitch with a forward spin.

[@AntiDoctor-cx2jd]

I do pretty good with foreward spinning pitches and hitting my spots. The great teams still hit well though. Trying to pick up some stuff. The only back spin guy I know gets hit hard.

[@utah32804]

Joe, In slow-pitch softball, you're going to get hit hard no matter what you do. The object is to reduce the average runs scored against your team over time. If you're in a competitive league and can reduce runs given up by 20% in a season, that is huge. That being said, pitcher predictability and lack of ball movement make many batters comfortable in the box no matter which way the ball spins.

[@AdamFenske]

I tied a spatula to my wrist so I don’t over rotate flicking my wrist forward or releasing too high. I also clipped a clothespin to my hip so I know when to rotate my wrist forward. Next, I’ll probably tie a broomstick to my shoulders so I keep them straight. 😂

[@adamnorvell]

Where did you get the 1,000rpm number? The ball is in the air for maybe 2 seconds. That’s 32 revolutions in 2 seconds at 1,000rpm. We could film your pitch, time the ball, count the rotations, do the math, and learn your exact RPM

[@utah32804]

Adam. This is how you calculate RPM by using the camera frame rate. You start by recording the pitch at 60 fps, then count the number of frames per complete rotation, say 4 frames per rotation. Then divide the frame rate 60/4 = 15 rotations per second. Now multiply 15 (rotations per second) by 60 seconds 15 x 60 and you have 900 rotations per minute. Of course it may not be an exact number of frames per rotation so you may have to count more than one rotation to get an accurate number. Pretty straight forward, no mystery.

[@CommentingTheTruth]

I've played outfield for years. My coach needs a pitcher. Ive pitched in BP and throw pretty consistent. I believe it's because I was a amateur bowler for years and the movement is natural for me. I would like to develop some advanced pitches. Would this be a good starting point? Also, I have a big fear of getting hit by the ball. I will be playing with 20-40 year olds who crank the ball. Any tips for overcoming the fear? Thanks!!

[@ppopovich2847]

To overcome the fear you should start playing ice hockey. I've been nailed by so many slapshots over the years that when I get hit by a screaming, line-drive softball I just groan a bit and thank goodness that it wasn't a hockey puck! Those hurt far worse. Sorry you had to wait a year for this bad advice. 😀

[@CommentingTheTruth]

@@ppopovich2847 Makes sense. I only pitched a little bit and thankfully no bad outcomes. HOWEVER, i was running to 1st on a hit to short and he made a bad throw which caught me on the jaw. No idea it was coming. Dropped to the ground thinking OMG I probably lost teeth or worse. Thankfully It seemed to dislocate my jaw which I got back in and thats about it. SCRAY Shit! This just happened 3 days ago.! VERY sore but can at least chew and talk now.

[@ppopovich2847]

@@CommentingTheTruth Sorry to hear it. Glad u are OK. Getting beaned in the head or throat can be lethal. Fortunately, it's quite rare. Good luck out there!

[@jeffwright7587]

Great channel WeekNight Ace! Regarding your illustration of the forward- vs. backward-spin pitches to show that the backward-spin pitch "drops more steeply"--which may very well be true--I don't believe your diagram illustrates your point. You show the two pitches being released from the same location and landing in the same spot, with the backward spin pitch reaching a higher apex (by perhaps a foot or so). But any pitch that reaches a higher apex will necessarily descend (and rise, for that matter) at a steeper angle. Both pitches seem to follow an approximate parabola, and one just has a higher apex. If the backspin was causing the ball to "drop more steeply", I would expect the apex of the pitch to be farther to the right (closer to the batter) for a pitch that begins and ends at the same spot. I know you say your illustration wasn't a scientific one, but after seeing it, it makes me think that the backspin has virtually no effect on the flight of the ball. (That's not to say it doesn't have an effect coming off the bat, however; also, that's not to say that your sideways-curving pitches don't actually curve--they definitely do). What do you think?

[@adamdahl62]

I'm interested in pitching, but I think my hands are maybe too small to be able to pitch as effectively as you do.

[@Jmncvx7]

Do you workout a few days before a game, when you have to pitch?

[@utah32804]

Julio, I work out 3 days a week on a regular schedule that excludes game day and excludes leg work the day before. Otherwise, nothing unusual.

[@sixtoessancho6577]

There’s no possible way your generating enough rotations on a ball to deflect down off of a moving bat.

[@utah32804]

Sure there is Six Toes. Ball rotation energy doesn't just go away. All things being equal, ball rotation will change the deflection angle off the bat. Whether the bat is "moving" or not is irrelevant.

[@sixtoessancho6577]

WeekNight Ace Then why isn’t it thrown in USSSA Majors? “Ball rotation energy doesn’t just go away” -Um, yeah it does....especially when it comes in contact with a bat.... “All things being equal” -This is ambiguous and vague to the point it becomes flawed logic. How do you judge equality between pitch variables and a batters swing? How and what are equal? “Ball rotation will change the deflection angle off the bat” -Your right, it will change the deflection angle off the bat, but it has diminishing returns the higher the persons swing speed is. Plus, you’re still not putting enough rotation on it to negate the diminishing returns. “Whether the bat is “moving” or not is irrelevant” -Then why isn’t it thrown in USSSA Majors?

[@utah32804]

Six Toes, let me explain, "All things being equal." Suppose two pitches of the same speed are hit on the same spot on the bat, but with opposite rotation, the ball deflection angle will be different. At rotation speed of 900 rpm (typical hard backspin), this difference can easily be the difference between a warning track fly and a home run. My channel's focus is on the "WeekNight" or community league level player, not necessarily the pro-level player so, your comparison to USSSA Major quality hitters is misplaced. Also, your objection to the backspin pitch, because it isn't pitched in USSSA Majors (for the sake of this discussion I'll stipulate that it isn't), is a logical fallacy, the "Bandwagon Appeal." "It isn't done, so it must not be good." I've pitched the backspin pitch for years with success in city leagues. The more backspin I can put on the ball, the more effective the pitch. One more thing. The backspin pitch drops steeper as it approaches the plate. This slight change of downward trajectory will also induce more ground balls.