Troubleshooting Mechanics, Mindset, and Spins

with Lonni Alameda,
Florida State University Head Coach;
2018 NCAA National Champions;2018 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year;
Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coach of the Year (2013-15);Back-to-Back ACC Champions (2014-15),
2014 Women's College World Series; three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances (2013-15)

Softball is often referred to as a game of adjustments, as making immediate in-game adjustments is necessary to beat the best of the best. One of the keys to success for elite coaches is that they are able to teach their pitchers how to troubleshoot and make adjustments on their own. This difficult task is explained beautifully in this video by Florida State's Lonni Alameda, who dives into how she teaches her pitchers to troubleshoot and make adjustments with pitches, spin, and mechanics.

Troubleshooting Pitches

Pitchers often struggle to throw consecutive pitches that move in opposite directions (curve-screw; rise-drop), but mastering this skill is critical to achieving success on the mound. You'll see how to teach your pitchers to "move on" after throwing one pitch in order to progress to the next pitch. Additionally, you will learn the drills Alameda uses with her pitchers to help them transition from one pitch to another, executing each pitch with excellence. Every pitch matters!

Troubleshooting Spin

A common pitching issue is that on any given day, a pitcher will have one or more pitches that don't work as well as they normally do. The question then becomes: what do you do as a coach when your pitcher's best pitch doesn't work on the day of an important game?

Alameda shows you how to help your pitchers troubleshoot and self-correct when the spin of their pitches isn't what it should be. In one fun `Riseball Feel Drill', Coach Alameda has her pitchers throw rise ball spins with a football to help them feel the correct release and spin they should be utilizing. Teaching your pitchers to feel the correct spin will help them recognize when their spin is off.

Troubleshooting Mechanical Issues

How do you fix a pitcher with an arm circle issue, or body position issue? Getting your pitchers to feel any mechanical issues or inefficiencies, and self-correct, allows them to to make adjustments on the fly. Coach Alameda takes you through drills for several common mechanical issues, including:

• Troubleshooting the arm circle
• Troubleshooting arm circle timing
• Troubleshooting arm speed
• Troubleshooting body positioning
• Troubleshooting snap timing
• Troubleshooting leg drive

This video from Lonni Alameda offers valuable advice, as well as over 20 drills in total, to help your pitchers learn to troubleshoot their own pitches and mechanics. One of the signs of a great coach is the ability to teach your players how to fix issues on their own, because when the game is on the line, they will be alone in the circle. Allow Coach Alameda to show you how to teach your pitchers the skills they need to become self-sufficient on the mound!

89 minutes. 2019.