SNCSA Skill Curriculums

Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy

Pitching Curriculum

 

 

Class Pitching 101 - Grip and 5 Steps of Proper Pitching Form

 

Class will include:

  • Step 1 - Focus on Proper feet placement and weight transfer
  • Step 2 - Proper Weight Transfer and how it affects Momentum
  • Step 3 - Proper Stride, Push and Drag
  • Step 4 - The "K" position
  • Step 5 - Follow Through

 

To graduate into Class 201, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Proper grip for their natural pitch
  • Understands and demonstrate all 5 steps efficiently
  • Must be able to perform 10 pitches in a row that are consistent and with proper form

 

Class Pitching 201 - Pitching with Power

 

Class will include:

  • Proper Leg Drive - ensuring push and drag
  • Staying in the Chute
  • Proper weight transfer and how it affects power
  • Drills to include leg drive and arm speed
  • Throwing at 100%

 

To graduate into Class 301, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in class 101
  • Proper leg drive
  • Displays Proper Weight transfer
  • Performs "walk throughs" consistently
  • Pitch at 100%

 

Class Pitching 301 - Fastball / Drop Ball / Change Up

 

Class will include:

  • Proper breakdown of the Fastball
  • Proper breakdown of the Drop Ball (The Peel)
  • Three different change up methods - finding one or two that work best for each pitcher
  • How location and spin affect movement

 

To graduate into Class 301, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in class 101 and 201
  • Proper Fastball
  • Proper Drop Ball
  • Proper Change Up

 

Class Pitching 401 - Different Spins (Curve ball / Screw ball / Rise Ball)

 

Class will include:

  • Proper breakdown of the Curve ball / Drop Curve
  • Proper breakdown of the Screw Ball
  • Proper breakdown of the Rise Ball
  • How location and spin affect movement

 

To graduate from Class 401, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in classes 101, 201, and 301
  • Demonstrate 1 of the 3 pitches introduced and show an understanding of how it is supposed to spin, and demonstrate that pitch effectively

** We will introduce a variety of pitch spins in this class, however, not all pitchers will end up using all the pitch spins.  The 222’s pitching philosophy is that the top pitchers in the world have command of a drop ball, change up, and rise ball. Those are the main three, however, working on other ways to spin the ball, can add options to help get hitters out. While some pitches can come quite quickly, the Rise Ball can take pitchers time to perfect.  In this class we help pitchers recognize their spin and teach them ways to manipulate it.

Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy

Hitting Curriculum

 

Class Hitting 101 - Focus is on the proper Grip, Stance and Swing Breakdown

 

Class will include: A breakdown of the swing from the grip to follow through highlighting the importance of head and hand position, weight transfer, rotation and extension throughout the swing.

  • Step 1
    • Focus on comfortable stance and body positioning at set up for a powerful and consistent swing
    • How to use the body as a guide to ensure proper stance and swing
    • Importance of the head staying in the middle of the swing
  • Step 2
    • Proper Weight Transfer (negative and positive) and how it creates power
    • Concentrating on using the lower half of the body
    • Rotation to free the front hip
  • Step 3
    • Keys to contact including hand position, head position, bat angle and arm position
    • Extension of arms and head and hand position during follow through
  • Step 4
    • Maintaining balance throughout the swing
    • Stepping towards the pitcher and not stepping “in the bucket”

 

To graduate into Class 201, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • An Understanding of Proper Grip, Comfortable Stance and Swing Components
  • Perform proper weight transfer and rotation through lower half of the body
  • Must hit a minimum of 5 of 10 balls off a tee demonstrating the above

 

Class Hitting 201 - Focus is on Hitting the ball in all four of the strike zone quadrants

 

Class will include:

  • Review of Hitting 101
  • Teaching the proper body position and swing path to hit a ball in all four strike zone quadrants
  • Proper contact points in relation to the hitter’s front foot
  • Extension after contact and the importance of proper follow through
  • Visual cues and tracking of the ball out of the pitcher’s hand to identify and react to pitch location
  • Hitting the ball hard to all fields based on pitch location

 

To graduate into Class 301, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Must perform a dry swing competently with focus on all aspects of class 101
  • Must verbally describe the contact points in relation to front foot to hit to all fields
  • Must understand and perform the swing to hit to all fields off front toss
  • Displays proper timing of swing off a pitcher’s full wind up

 

Class Hitting 301 – Process vs Results Hitting and Mental Approach

 

Class will include:

  • Review of 201
  • Introduction of focusing on the process of the swing not the result of contact
  • The importance of a pre-at bat routine
  • The importance of having a plan when you go to the plate
  • The importance of “making adjustments”

 

To graduate into Class 401, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in class 101, 201 and 301
  • Demonstrate a process approach to hitting
  • Verbally discuss their pre-at bat routine and their plan at the plate
  • Demonstrate ability to “make adjustments” during and between at bats

 

Class Hitting 401 – Situational Hitting and Short Game

 

Class will include:

  • Understanding the importance of situational hitting to move runners
  • Understanding hitter advantage counts and pitcher anticipation
  • Understanding and performing bunting, slapping and sacrifice situations
  • Understanding YOUR strengths and weaknesses as a hitter and adjusting

 

To graduate from Class 401, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in classes 101, 201, 301 and 401
  • Verbally explain and perform various examples of situational hitting
  • Verbally explain and perform at bats that are “hitter advantage” at bats

Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy

Catching Curriculum

 

Class Catching 101 – Pitch Receiving, Positioning, Proper Throwing Mechanics

Class will include:

  • Receiving the ball with one hand
  • Positioning – proper squatting and movement behind the plate
  • Throwing the ball back to the pitcher with proper form and technique

 

To graduate into 201 the catcher must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Demonstrate a balanced, low catcher’s position behind the plate.  
  • Must be able to catch with one hand consistently.
  • Must also be able to throw the ball back to the pitcher with accuracy and proper form.

 

Class Catching 201 – Blocking, Framing and Preventing stolen bases

Class will include:

  • Proper form on blocking a wild pitch
  • Framing borderline pitches to help increase the pitcher’s performance
  • Proper mechanics to increase pop time when throwing to bases

 

To graduate into Class 301 the participant must demonstrate the following:

  • Must be able to block or catch a wild pitch
  • Must be able to throw the ball from behind the plate to all bases with accuracy and velocity.

 

Class Catching 301 – Working with Your Pitcher and the Umpire

Class will include:

  • Proper way to communicate with the pitcher using pitch signals
  • Understanding catcher/umpire relationship
  • Importance of set up positioning behind the plate
  • Proper signal, location and set up movement sequence

 

To graduate into Class 401 the participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Must be able to catch a ball from a live pitcher and frame appropriately.  
  • Must give signals to the pitcher without giving them away to the opposing team.
  • Must give a signal and move into target position without giving location to batter.

 

Class Catching 401 – How to Call a Game

Class will include:

  • Evaluate batters’ weaknesses by through cues such variables as the batter’s stance and swing.
  • Using their pitchers’ strengths to set up batters
  • Calling pitches based on situations

 

To graduate from class 401 the participant must be able to demonstrate the following

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of how to pitch to a variety of batting styles.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of determining the weaknesses and strengths of batters
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of how to determine the weaknesses and strengths of their pitcher
  • Demonstrate the understanding of how call pitches in all situations.

Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy

Fielding Curriculum

 

Class Fielding 101 - Focus is on proper throwing and catching mechanics and

Introduction of Fielding both infield and outfield

Class will include:

  • Breakdowns and progression of proper throwing mechanics
  • Instruction of proper receiving position and catching the ball
  • Mechanics of the transition from receiving to throwing
  • Throwing while on the run
  • Throwing from all three arm slots
  • Instruction of proper Ready, Fielding and Throwing positions (infield and outfield)

 

Class Fielding 201 - Focus is on fielding mechanics for all infield and outfield positions

Class will include:

  • Review of Fielding 101
  • Infield – Groundballs forehand, backhand, short hops and pop ups
  • Proper Infield footwork for transition from fielding to throwing
  • Proper foot work for force plays and tagging positions for all infield positions
  • Outfield – Single Stop positioning, fly balls/ Ground balls - proper footwork fielding and throwing
  • Proper outfield throws to bases and cut offs

 

To graduate into Class 301, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Must perform infield groundball fielding mechanics with focus on all aspects of class 201
  • Must field a groundball from the shortstop position and throw it to first base (5 of 10)
  • Must field a groundball and catch a fly ball with proper mechanics in Outfield (5 of 10)
  • Must make outfield throw to bases and cut offs to standards (5 of 10)

 

Class Fielding 301 – Infield and Outfield Strategies and “Next Play” Process

Class will include:

  • Review of 201
  • Testing of arm strength and glove to glove times
  • Performing Infield and Outfield plays with pace
  • Infield double plays at second, touch and go plays, home to first force
  • Infield rotation drills – softball IQ Next Play
  • Outfield throws, and coverages based on offensive situations

 

To graduate into Class 401, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in class 101, 201 and 301
  • Demonstrate performing skills at game pace
  • Verbally discuss and perform coverages for all defensive positions
  • Demonstrate improvement of arm strength and glove to glove times

 

Class Fielding 401 – Situational Fielding and Position Specific Strategies

Class will include:

  • Understanding the importance of knowing all “out” options by position based on situation
  • Understanding positioning adjustments based on situation and hitter tendencies
  • Importance of communication on the field between players
  • Understanding of all defensive players responsibilities based on situation
  • Player development in one chosen infield position and one outfield position

 

To graduate from Class 401, participant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All skills tested in classes 101, 201, 301 and 401
  • Verbally explain and perform all “out” options based on situation
  • Perform to standard (test) at one infield position and one outfield a series of situational