Softball Tips

How to throw a rise ball

February 28, 2011

For the last installment in our softball fundamentals series, we’ll cover a topic that we’ve touched on a few times before.

The rise ball is a great weapon for any pitcher to have in his or her arsenal. It’s often used to capitalize on batters who have fallen behind in the count, which makes it ideal for strikeout situations.

In this video, two-time All-American pitcher Amanda Scarborough breaks down the fundamentals of a two-seam rise ball and a four-seam rise ball.

Related: Step up your game with our selection of pitching aids.

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Previous entries

• How to throw a rise ball (2/28/11)
• Four things every pitcher should avoid (2/21/11)
• How to pitch in bunting situations (2/14/11)
• Hard work (2/07/11)
• How to throw a dropball in softball (1/31/11)
• Three tips to getting recruited by college coaches (1/24/11)
• Softball fundamentals: Amanda Scarborough demonstrates how to throw a change-up (1/17/11)
• Softball fundamentals: Amanda Scarborough demonstrates how to throw a fastball (1/10/11)
• Team USA’s Stacey Nelson presents her pitching warm-up (11/15/10)
• Ashley Holcombe explains framing, and how to increase the size of the strike zone (11/08/10)
• Improve your grip and forearm strength with rice and a bucket (11/01/10)
• A two-minute guide to softball bats (10/25/10)
• Lead with your hands (10/18/10)
• How to pitch a rise ball (10/11/10)
• Monica Abbott shows off her balance and demonstrates a great way to build core stability (10/04/10)
• How to keep your hips loose while playing catcher (9/27/10)
• How to hit a drag bunt (9/20/10)
• How to pitch against a big hitter (9/13/10)
• Central Florida’s head coach explains the basics of the wrist snap (9/07/10)
• Getting into a comfortable catcher’s stance (8/23/10)
• Nutrition tips from the US Women’s National Team (8/16/10)
• Cat Osterman’s keys to a good wrist snap (8/09/10)
• Stacey Nelson shows off proper pitching form (8/02/10)
• More NPF pitchers show their pitching grips (7/26/10)
• NPF players show their pitching grips (7/19/10)
• Jessica Mendoza’s tips for mental preparation (7/12/10)
• The footwork of throwing the ball from home to second base (7/06/10)
• Cat Osterman explains finger placement (6/29/10)
• Getting the correct posture as a catcher (6/21/10)
• How to throw a change-up (6/07/10)
• Baserunning with Jessica Mendoza (6/01/10)
• How to break in your glove (5/24/10)
• Hitting with Jessica Mendoza (5/17/10)
• Fielding and catching fly balls with Jessica Mendoza (5/10/10)
• How to slide in softball (12/10/09)
• Jennie Finch explains how to throw a riseball (10/20/09)