The windmill pitch is the signature move in softball. It is a complex motion that appears completely fluid and almost natural when executed properly. In reality, it is more like a perfect golf swing, wherein every element must combine harmoniously to result in an expertly controlled delivery.

In the following outline, Kathy Arendsen of Mississippi State University breaks the windmill pitch down into three primary components: Pre-Motion, Stride and Release. Each phase of the motion is analyzed and explained.

Pre-Motion

Grip

1. First knuckle of pitching hand--three (3) fingers on seam, also thumb on seam if possible.
2. Use seams--either 2 or 4. 2 seams--variation of movement, 4 seams--easier to control-straight.
3. Pitching thumb in line with middle finger--balanced grip
4. Firm grip (in fingers)/loose wrist (enhances snap)
5. Hold in fingers, not palm
6. To maintain line of force, ball should be guided by thumb and come off middle finger (4-seam)

Stance

1. Staggered stance promotes balance
2. Front to back--ball of pitching foot on middle, front edge of rubber. Glove foot toes pushed up against back edge of rubber
3. Consistency--don't change location for type of pitch, right- or left-handed hitter, etc.
4. Both feet pointed at target--home plate.
5. Timing--shift weight from front to back, one-second pause, then start motion.

Weight Distribution

1. Weight back, relax, get signal and target
2. Initiate motion--can start motion with weight on front foot, then shift back, then begin pitch--must keep front foot in contact with rubber.

Breathing, Relaxation, Thought Process

1. Take signal, hands together, get grip, take deep breath, focus on target and "pitching key" (i.e., stay on my line)
2. Deep breathe/exhale--lock in on fine focus, find a "happy place"
3. Draw line behind rubber, pitch is to start there with positive thoughts, trust pitch
4. Other relaxation, shoulder shrug, shake fingers (both done off the rubber)
5. Must have a focus point (target). Be specific.
6. Teach pitching routine. Focus on process rather than outcome.

Body Types

1. Desire outweighs physical characteristics. Genetics are nice but not necessary.
2. Any size or shape can succeed. Long and lean are most preferable.
3. Precision is the key!

Stride

Line of Force

1. From pitching foot directly to home plate (target) is the line of force.

Body Position

1. Starting stride--create linear movement. Shift weight back and then forward, flex pitching knee to propel body forward.
2. Nose over toes, slight flexion at waist, shoulders relaxed.
3. Foot positioning needs to be between 1 and 2 o'clock, roughly 45 degrees.
4. Pivot (pitching) foot heel is off the ground as pitching foot goes into hole directly in front of rubber.
5. Constant acceleration throughout motion, NOT a big explosion only at top of motion.
6. Stride leg gets into power position, go there as agreeively as possible.

Purpose

1. To exert as much force as possible while maintaining relaxation (loose) and allowing yourself to reach optimal position (x-position) to execute pitch.

Length

1. Maximal length while allowing smooth continuation of momentum. Let pitch flow--don't stick or fly forward.
2. Smooth motion.
3. Land flat foot or on ball of stride (glove) foot.
4. Must have flexion on stride (glove) knee.

Weight Distribution

1. Be balanced!
2. As close to 50/50 weight distribution upon landing as possible, with attention to the fact that weight transfer is the progression from drrive off back leg to acceptance of weight and continuation of drive by and through front (glove) leg.
3. Back leg through stride. Back (pitching) heel never touches ground. Drag (pitching) leg to where stride (glove) toe is. Back (pitching) toe rotates almost all the way towards pointing at 3B (RHP). If back (pitching) heel touches ground, weight transfer will be late, adversely affecting the pitch.
4. Note: Do not let back (pitching) knee move outside of line of pitching foot. Knee must stay stacked directly over inside of pitching foot, not outside. Keep knee slightly inverted.

Approach to and through Release Point

Arm

1. Extended (not hyper-extended), do not lock elbox
2. Bicep of pitching arm should rotate close to pitching side ear.
3. Forearm close (or slightly brushing) to side.
4. Be loose, "crack the whip" with pitching arm.
5. Pull hand out of glove, back of hand up, bbring to top of circle and as body rotates arm will automatically do into the right position to deliver the pitch. No additional rotation is needed.
6. Stay in the line of force (seam of pants) at initial arm movement in circle. Push down and out.
7. Head and shoulders follow glove down and out (slide).
8. Glove is guide to remaining in the line of force.
9. Leave pitching hand in glove until highest point possible (between waist and head)
10. Long lever is not locked! Locking out creates tension.
11. Natural motion/extension from pitching arm in a circle that stays within the line of force.
12. Upper arm deceleration, accelerates the lower arm to snap. Must keep arm by side in a true circle.
13. From x-position or super K, maintain a long lever (extension) on downward path.

Snap

1. Cock wrist on approach to release point--allows for maximum snap.
2. Head, shoulders, knees, toes remain stacked during down swing, maintain balance.
3. Wrist cock can happen as soon as the top of the circle, but should reach a cocked position by 10 or 9 o'clock to lead into snap.
4. Snap occurs between 7 and 5 o'clock
5. Ball rolls off middle fingers
6. Hand/arm continue through the line of force and hand finishes out and up, remaining loose and relaxed, follow through continues in direction of pitch.
7. Short arming (tight V with elbow) severly decreases the length of the lever and creates tension, therefore decreasing velocity of pitch.

Wind-Ups

1. Nothing should be used that deters from the established pitching mechanics.
2. Arm circle should lead into, enhance or be a part of the loine of force and arm circle.
3. When arm circle takes away or leads in a different direction, it will negatively affect mechanics.

Legs During Motion

1. Back (pitching) knee initiates drive forward for the transfer of weight from back foot toward the front (glove) foot.
2. Back knee also initiates release of hip. When hip releases, you allow large muscle groups to absorb force of deceleration.
3. Front (glove) knee lands flexed but will firm up to allow for release against a firm front side.

Legs During Follow-Through

1. Knee (pitching) should drive forward through hip rotation of at least 45 degrees and finish square to the plate in a balanced fielding position.

Shoulders/Upper Body Follow-Through

1. Body should be upright. Finish tall with shoulders square to the plate