Game version
Base-path follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement between the bases and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.
Game-Day Pitching Warm-Up
A short, steady warm-up that gets you ready without using up your arm.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Jog and do arm circles and band pull-aparts.
Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Softballs, glove, catcher, light band
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Pitching
The steps
How it works
- Jog and do arm circles and band pull-aparts.
- Spin and wrist-flick at short distance.
- Pitch about 20 to 25 easy-to-firm pitches at full distance.
- Count them in your game total.
Coaching point
Ready, not tired.
Safety: Count every pitch, bullpen and practice included. There is no single official softball limit; some sports-medicine groups suggest about 50 pitches a game at ages 8-10, 65 at 11-12 and 80 at 13-14, so follow your league limits, rest after a big outing, play another position on rest days, and stop if your shoulder, elbow or back hurts.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slower or smaller), Core (as written), More (one extra twist). Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
Story
You are a base runner exploring the diamond.
My best
Beat your own count
Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free softball week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.