Figure-8 Wind-Up
Also known as: figure eight
The figure-8 wind-up is a distinct legal fast-pitch delivery. The ball goes down past the hip, behind the body, and forward to release, never overhead.
Instead of the windmill's full over-the-head arm circle, the figure-8 pitcher swings the ball down past the hip and back behind the body. Then the ball comes forward again into release, the arm path tracing a figure-eight shape. It is one of the recognized legal delivery styles alongside the windmill and slingshot. Because the ball never goes over the head, its rhythm is easier for some pitchers to repeat. A figure-8 has to stay smooth and unhurried. A rushed or jerky figure-8 often signals nervousness or uneven tempo that carries into the rest of the delivery.
Practice the figure-8 path slowly at half speed until the shape and tempo feel automatic before throwing at full effort.
Example
The pitcher uses a figure-8 delivery. The ball swings down past her hip, back behind her body, and through release in one smooth motion — never rising over her head — with the same tempo pitch after pitch.
How it shows up on video
Watch the pitching arm swing the ball down past the hip, back behind the body, and forward through release — the ball never passes over the head. Consistency of speed and shape in the figure-eight path is a good early indicator of a pitcher's overall tempo control.
Common mistakes
- Rushing the figure-8 under pressure, which throws off the tempo of everything that follows
- Muscling the backswing instead of letting the arm swing freely, adding unnecessary tension to the shoulders
Frequently asked questions
Does the figure-8 add velocity to the pitch?
Its single down-and-back swing builds less arm speed than a full windmill circle. This is why most competitive pitchers windmill. The figure-8 trades some velocity for simplicity and repeatable rhythm.
Related terms
- Slingshot Wind-UpThe slingshot wind-up is a simple fast-pitch delivery. The arm goes straight back to about shoulder height, then forward in one pass to release.
- Drop Step (Pitching Wind-Up)In the drop-step wind-up, the pitcher steps back and slightly sideways with the non-pivot foot. That extra motion builds momentum toward the plate.
- Arm CircleThe arm circle is the full 360° rotation of the pitching arm around the shoulder joint that defines the fast-pitch windmill delivery and stores elastic energy for release.
Available in other languages
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.
See a sample Fast-Pitch Softball report first