Softball Pitching Excellence: Improving Work Capacity & Preventing Injuries

with Paige Cassady,
NC State University Pitching Coach;
Texas Tech Pitching Coach from 2022 to 2023;
Liberty University Associate Head Softball Coach from 2018 to 2022;
2018 NFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year;
2018 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
Liberty University Assistant Softball Coach (Pitching) from 2013 to 2018;
Has coached 4 different pitchers to all-conference honors;
In 2018, Cassady's Liberty pitching staff posted a 2.04 ERA and 19 shutouts, including a 0.97 ERA over the final 23 games of the season;
In 2017 season, Cassady's Liberty pitching staff went 44 innings without giving up a single run, tossing six straight shutouts;
In 2016, Cassady's Lady Flames pitchers set a program single-season record with 377 strikeouts;
was Lipscomb University Pitching Coach in 2013;
was a Louisiana Monroe Graduate Assistant from 2011 to 2012;
Powerline Fastpitch Pitching Instructor, 2005 to present;
played collegiately (pitcher) at Florida International

Do your pitchers tire easily? Is fatigue an issue on your staff? Do your pitchers lose velocity in the middle of the game? Are your pitchers prone to injury? Do you know how to increase your pitcher’s work capacity – which is defined as the duration of strength and power?

Paige Cassady, the 2018 NFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, has extensively studied these questions with her own pitchers over the years and was motivated to develop a comprehensive plan that both simultaneously improves performance and prevents injuries.

In this detailed instructional video, Cassady shares the details of her injury prevention plan and offers an approach that coaches can immediately implement in their own program.

Injury Prevention, Improved Performance – Through Strength & Conditioning

Injuries typically manifest themselves when your pitcher becomes fatigued and overthrows. Cassady provides a detailed plan and approach where the goal is not only to prevent injuries, but to also train your pitchers by using methods that allow them to become stronger and more powerful – which will increase and maintain pitch speed, location and spin for as long as possible.

The dual goal of Cassady’s training program is to develop and improve pitchers to become more effective and efficient, while utilizing a daily routine that will reduce fatigue, injuries and increase work capacity.

Drills To Improve Work Capacity

Covering the critical components and essential details of her program, Cassady showcases some of her favorite softball pitching drills. Viewers will see examples of multiple drills that reinforce a pitcher’s mechanics, which improve performance while preventing injuries.

In addition, Cassady pulls back the curtain and unveils innovating teaching and training tactics such as: workouts that utilize a balance beam to help emphasize core stabilization, balance and force (in forward movement), the proper use of the softball pitcher’s foot box so that the toes face the plate and unsure hips and core are square to the plate (which increases) force and how to use starting blocks to teach a pitcher’s brain proper ‘pitch initiation’ – which helps the body create explosive forward motion.

This is a tremendously valuable instructional video for softball coaches at all levels. Cassady not only provides classroom instruction on how to increase work capacity to reduce injuries, but also utilizes highly effective still photos that clearly demonstrate examples of how pitchers are maximizing their potential while delivering a pitch.

56 minutes. 2022.