The 7 Steps of Pitching: The Foundation Every Pitcher, Parent, and Coach Needs to Understand
Jun 22, 2026
If you've ever watched a softball pitcher and thought:
"How does she throw that hard?"
"Why is she struggling with accuracy?"
"Why does one pitcher look effortless while another looks like she's fighting her body?"
The answer usually isn't found at release.
It's found much earlier in the pitching motion.
And that's exactly why I created my 7 Steps of Pitching system.
Over the years, I've worked with hundreds of pitchers across the country ranging from complete beginners to collegiate athletes. While every pitcher is unique, one thing remains true:
The athletes who understand the foundation of pitching improve faster.
The parents who understand the foundation can support their daughters more effectively.
The coaches who understand the foundation make better adjustments.
That's why I consider this lesson one of the most important resources I have ever created.
If there is one video I recommend every softball family watch, it is this one:
https://www.dr3fastpitch.com/
Why This Video Matters
In today's softball world, there is more information available than ever before.
Instagram drills.
YouTube videos.
TikTok tips.
Advice from coaches.
Advice from parents.
Advice from teammates.
Advice from former players.
The problem isn't a lack of information.
The problem is a lack of understanding.
Many pitchers are learning random pieces of pitching without understanding how those pieces fit together.
As a result, they become overwhelmed.
They start chasing fixes.
They try to correct symptoms instead of solving problems.
What makes the 7 Steps of Pitching different is that it teaches athletes how the entire motion works as one connected system.
Because pitching is not a collection of isolated movements.
Pitching is a chain reaction.
Everything is connected.
The Biggest Mistake Pitchers Make
One of the most common mistakes I see is athletes becoming obsessed with what they can see.
They notice:
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Their speed has dropped
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Their accuracy is inconsistent
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Their rise ball isn't moving
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Their changeup isn't effective
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Their mechanics feel off
So they immediately start trying to fix the symptom.
But what if the symptom isn't the problem?
What if the accuracy issue actually started three steps earlier?
What if the loss of velocity began with poor sequencing?
What if the timing issue originated before the athlete ever reached release?
This happens all the time.
That's why understanding the entire pitching motion matters so much.
When athletes learn how the body works together, they develop the awareness necessary to identify where problems actually begin.
The 7 Steps of Pitching
Inside the video, I break the pitching motion down into seven simple steps:
1. Get on the Rubber
Everything starts with intention.
Before an athlete ever begins moving, she needs to establish a strong starting position.
Balance.
Athletic posture.
Confidence.
This step often gets overlooked, but it sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Hands Together
This is where rhythm begins.
Many young athletes rush this phase because they are eager to throw the ball.
However, proper timing begins here.
The quality of the movement often determines the quality of the entire motion.
3. Power Triangle
This position helps athletes understand body organization and posture.
It begins teaching athletes how to create efficient movement patterns instead of simply moving fast.
Remember:
Moving fast and moving efficiently are not always the same thing.
4. Load Hips and Glutes
This is where power begins.
Elite pitchers generate force from the ground up.
They don't throw with their arm.
They transfer energy through their entire body.
Learning how to properly load the lower half is critical for both velocity and injury prevention.
5. Superman
This is one of my favorite teaching positions because it helps athletes understand direction, posture, momentum, and movement efficiency.
Many pitchers who struggle with power leak energy during this phase.
When athletes learn how to move through Superman correctly, everything downstream begins improving.
6. K Position
The K Position is one of the most discussed positions in softball pitching.
But it is often misunderstood.
Many athletes focus on simply getting into the position.
What matters more is how they arrived there.
Good positions don't create great pitching.
Good movement creates great positions.
7. Fire
This is where everything comes together.
The body transfers energy.
The whip occurs.
The ball leaves the hand.
The sequence is completed.
But here's the key:
If the previous six steps aren't working together properly, Step 7 becomes significantly more difficult.
Why This Is The Master Video
I have plenty of videos that dive deeper into individual topics.
I have lessons that break down specific drills.
I have lessons that focus on individual steps.
I have lessons that cover advanced concepts.
But this video is different.
This is the master blueprint.
This is the foundation.
This is the video that connects all the dots.
This is the video I would choose if I could only show a pitcher one lesson.
Because when athletes understand the framework, every future lesson makes more sense.
Not Just For Beginners
Many people assume foundational videos are only for beginner pitchers.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
In fact, some of the most advanced athletes benefit the most from revisiting foundational concepts.
Why?
Because advanced athletes often become consumed with advanced solutions.
Meanwhile, the answer is sitting inside the foundation.
The best pitchers in the world continually revisit fundamentals.
The best athletes never outgrow the basics.
The basics simply become more refined.
I've worked with pitchers who gained velocity after revisiting foundational movement patterns.
I've worked with pitchers who improved command after revisiting foundational sequencing.
I've worked with pitchers who unlocked new movement patterns simply by understanding how the kinetic chain actually works.
Foundations matter.
At every level.
Parents: This Video Is For You Too
One of the missions of DR3 Fastpitch is educating parents.
Because parents spend more time with their athletes than any coach ever will.
The more a parent understands pitching, the more effectively they can support their daughter between lessons.
You don't need to become a pitching coach.
You don't need to memorize biomechanics.
You simply need a framework.
This video provides that framework.
It helps parents understand the language of pitching.
It helps parents understand what their daughters are working on.
And most importantly, it helps parents become confident supporters throughout the process.
Coaches: Use This Resource
If you're coaching rec ball, travel ball, middle school, or high school softball, this video can become one of your most valuable teaching tools.
The 7 Steps provide a simple, repeatable system that athletes can understand.
Complex information becomes easier to teach when athletes have a framework to organize it.
That's exactly what this system does.
Watch It More Than Once
This is not a video you watch one time.
This is a video you revisit.
Pause it.
Take notes.
Watch it again.
Come back during the season.
Revisit it when things aren't clicking.
Review it when something suddenly makes sense.
Every time you watch it, you'll notice something new.
That's because the information grows with the athlete.
As awareness increases, understanding increases.
Start Here
Whether you're a beginner pitcher, an experienced pitcher, a parent, or a coach, I encourage you to start with this lesson.
This is the foundation.
This is the framework.
This is the master video.
And if you truly want to understand how the pitching motion works from the ground up, this is where I would begin.
Click below to access the free 7 Steps of Pitching Master Video:
https://www.dr3fastpitch.com/
Learn the system.
Understand the foundation.
Build the athlete.
