softball-baserunning

softball-catching

softball-coaching-guides

softball-fielding

softball-hitting

softball-pitching

softball-throwing

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Getting young players to slide effectively is a key part of coaching girls&#39; softball. A player will develop confidence and a strong sliding technique with these softball tips.

Transcription:

One of the most important skills in base running is sliding. It is important to teach a young athlete how to slide so they can avoid collisions and they can be in the best position to avoid attack. The drill that we&#39;re going to show is a drill to teach your young athletes how to slide and not hurt themselves. What we have here is we have the Slide-Rite, we have two coaches. The coaches are going to take their backhand. They&#39;re going to assist the sliding athlete through their slide. So the athlete won&#39;t get hurt on this slide and they can build confidence. 
 
It&#39;s very important that the coaches keep their knees bent and they go with the athlete through the slide. The athletes are gonna go quarter speed, remember to tuck one of their legs under their knee, and to keep their hands high. 
 
As the athlete gains more confidence, they can gain more speed. Eventually they will only hit the coach&#39;s hand as they come through their slide. You can coach each athlete through their slide. If you want them to lean back further, you just tell them to lean back further. If you want them to tuck their leg a little longer, you tell them to tuck their leg longer. If you want them to run faster, you can tell them to run faster. So you can coach your whole team with this sliding drill very quick.

Sliding Technique

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There&#39;s no a question a girls&#39; softball player can run a "question mark" when rounding first base. A softball coach explains the tip to help baserunners get to second base quicker.

Rounding First Base

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Don&#39;t get caught with a long lead!&nbsp;Get back to the base safely.

Transcription:

All right, now we&#39;re going to talk about diving back to first. We took our headfirst slide and now we&#39;re going to take it diving back to first. So, we go ahead and get out here. We get a nice, strong lead. Go ahead and come out. We start ourselves, breaks it down. Now, the catcher&#39;s going to pick back. She turns, crosses over, she dives back. Great. So, we&#39;re always going to try to dive back to this back corner. Okay? Her hands are up. That&#39;s a great job. This hand&#39;s just going to hang out. And then her head, she needs to look away so she doesn&#39;t get hit in the face and secondly, she can see a ball that&#39;s overthrown and she can get up and go to the next base. Okay, now we&#39;re going to go full speed.&nbsp; 
 
All right, let&#39;s get a good lead. I&#39;ll say, "Back," and we&#39;ll work on it. Here we go. Get on out. Three steps, she breaks it down. Good. Back. Great. Nice job. Again. Good. Lead. Three steps, break it down. Back, crosses over, and back. Good. And she looks away. I need you to look away. We need them to look away, we don&#39;t want to have them get hit in the face and we also want to look for that overthrow. Here we go. Go. Three steps, breaks it down, good. Back. Great. Nice job. Very nice.

Diving Back to First Base

Purpose: To learn how to advance a runner to third base when softball hitting.

Procedure: First, second, and third baseman are in place and a runner is on second. The outfielders are behind the cage at home, with one hitter hitting while the others wait in line. Hitters and runners should wear helmets. A coach is on the mound behind an L-shaped screen, either throwing or feeding the pitching machine. The hitter hits the ball to the right side of the diamond to move the runner to third base. Mix in a few drag or push bunts to advance the runner.

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<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Runner on Second

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Transcription:

This next drill is called the random crossover starts. Basically using a coach or a partner, you want the athletes set up in their regular athletic stance or defensive position and a partner is going to point out an indirection to work on the reaction time of the athletes and quickly accelerate from their athletic stance into a good crossover.&nbsp; 
 
This next drill is to work on accelerating into a shuffle position in any direction laterally. So you want the athletes set up in their regular athletic stance or defensive position, and using a partner or coach, the coach is going to point out an indirection, and the athlete is going to accelerate from their stationary athletic stance into a shuffle.

How to Improve Acceleration

Good sliding technique is important, and this drill will reinforce the skills your players need to be better sliders.

What you need You can either set this drill up in the infield with the regular bags, or, if you just want to work on technique with this drill, then you can set up any number of bases in the outfield. Set up a station that has two bases, and divide the players among the stations.

How this drill works Each player in the station will do the drill, and they will first run to the base ahead of them and slide into it feet first with the proper technique (lead leg extended and trailing leg folded at a right angle at the lead leg knee).

Then, they will get up and they will turn around and sprint to the base prior and they will execute a head first slide (lead arm reaching for the outside corner of the base).

You can run this drill in the infield as the player goes around the bases. To make it slightly more complex, you can have the catcher trying to throw the player out at each base.

Result Teaching the proper sliding technique is going to help your runners secure more bases during a game.

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Feet First, Head First

This drill is used to help condition players and to increase their running speed.

All players line-up at home plate. The coach will blow the whistle to signal the first player in line should begin. Once the first player gets a third of the way to first then the whistle should be blown and the next player should begin. This should continue until all the players are running around the bases.

The players should change their running style at each base.

From home to first the players should be kicking their behind. They should be kicking up their heels and kicking their bottoms with their heels. The goal isn&#39;t to go fast from home to first. The goal is to kick their rear ends as many times as possible.

From first to home the players should be running with high knees. They should be kicking their knees up so that their knees come up above their waist. Again, the goal isn&#39;t to go fast from first to second; the goal is to kick up the knees as many times as possible.

From second to third the players should use the "hop/skip." Players should skip and kick up their knees one leg at a time. As they kick-up their knee they should also bring-up their arm on the same side. For example, as they kick-up their right knee they should be bringing up their right arm.

From third to home the player should sprint as fast as possible.

This drill takes a lot of energy if it is run correctly.

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Softball Speed and Conditioning Drill

This piece of advice may sound silly at first, but remember to include drills where your batters are hitting the ball then running to first. So many times we get caught up in running the players through different types of batting stations that they are only hitting and never hit, then run.

However in the game, they not only have to hit the ball, they have to run to first as quickly as possible too. If you never practice this, you&#39;re batters may not be getting out of the box as quickly as they could. You may even see a slight pause between the hit and the run down to first. Just remember to have them practice what they will actually be doing in a game every now and then. It doesn&#39;t even need to be off live pitching.

Heck, you don&#39;t even have to have them actually hit a ball. You can line them up with thundersticks or speed bats (or lengths of pvc pipe even) at home plate and have each player swing then run down the line to first base and do this as part of your baserunning practice.

Just make sure batters have their helmets down and they give the player in the box enough room to swing and discard the bat. Do not let the players waiting for their turn be right up on the player swinging.

Run to First

Harold Reynolds explains smart decision making for extra base hits. Shuffle, keep your eye on the ball, check with the third base coach and watch the field.

Extra Base Hits

Catcher gets in blocking/throwing stance. Standing 30 feet away, the coach throws a mixture of strikes and balls in the dirt to be received.

Also, mix in pump fake throws to make sure that the catcher&#39;s balance is good.

An advanced variation is to include random verbals simulating a stealing baserunner.

Yell the phrase "runner!" and instruct the catcher to execute proper footwork for throws down to second or third base.

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<blockquote>
For more information, check out my book <a href="https://www.coachingthebeginningpitcher.com" rel="nofollow">Coaching the Beginning Pitcher</a>.
</blockquote>

Catch/Block/Fake Drill

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<a href="https://www.weplay.com/users/pattyman29">Pat Ahearne</a>, former NCAA College World Series Championship pitcher with more than 16 years of pro ball experience shares his fundamental approach to catching the baseball.&nbsp; A great video for youth baseball players and coaches working to improve the basics.

Transcription:

Hi, this is Pat Ahearne and you&#39;re On the Way of Baseball. I want to give you a couple of real quick tips on catching the ball. Some young players, I see them make mistakes and have a tough time catching the balls, so this is a really easy way to get yourself ready and make good catches. 
 
So when you&#39;re playing catch, first of all, get in an athletic position, bend your knees, a little flexed at the waist so you can move. You have balance, you can move. Now, what you use, with your glove, you give your partner a target to throw to right in front of your glove side arm. Now, from this position, you can get to about any ball that&#39;s thrown to you. 
 
If the ball is to your left, you can just reach across. If it&#39;s above you to your left, if it&#39;s straight up and now if the ball&#39;s coming on this side of you, you can reach across really easily and make the catch. If the ball is straight across, you can reach this way on the backhand and make the catch. 
 
Now, one of the problems that I see with youth players, when a ball comes down too low, they&#39;re not sure what to do. So when you start with this position and the ball comes below your waist, you turn your palm up and make the catch that way. So if it&#39;s right below you, come down here, catch it this way. If it&#39;s down and opposite your glove side, you can reach down on the backhand and catch it here. 
 
Same thing on your glove side. You can just turn your palm up and catch it this way and you always start from the athletic position and expect, especially when you&#39;re in the field and playing the game, if you expect a bad throw, a good throw will be easy. That&#39;s what you&#39;ll be ready for. So if you&#39;re here and you&#39;re athletic and expect a bad throw, if it comes way over here, you can move, move your feet and get to it. 
 
So, catching isn&#39;t only a skill with the glove but it also involves the feet. You got to be able to move. You got to be ready to go. So now there&#39;s a good tip for helping you catch the ball. Anything else on your mind, you can find me at thewayofbaseball.com and I&#39;ll give you help, and tips, and advice on how to go better and farther on your way of baseball.

Fundamentals of Catching the Ball

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Red Sox catcher Josh Bard shares his keys to catching and what to focus on when learning the position.

Josh Bard: The Keys to Catching

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Red Sox catcher Josh Bard talks about the proper technique for catching a pop-up from behind the plate. Using these recommended techniques, a baseball catcher can be much faster at getting to the ball and making the play.

Josh Bard: Catching a Pop-Up

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Balance is key behind the plate. A girls&#39; softball catcher will improve her movement by having a balanced stance. These softball tips provide the necessary tools for the catcher.

Catching Stance

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Balance is key behind the plate. A girls&#39; softball catcher will improve her movement by having a balanced stance. These softball tips provide the necessary tools for the catcher.

Transcription:

We&#39;re going to talk now about the stance of a catcher. 
 
A catcher wants her feet a little bit wider than her shoulders with her toes slightly pointed out. As the catcher kneels down, they want to stay leaning forward. Go ahead and kneel down. 
 
They want to stay leaning forward so they stay on the balls of their feet. A catcher has to be in a balanced position so they can move side to side. Go ahead and move to your right. Now go back in position. And go ahead and move to your left. 
 
The catcher can stay on her feet because she&#39;s in a nice balanced position. 
 
When a catcher&#39;s in her catching position, her glove&#39;s out, ready to receive the ball, and her throwing hand is at her side with her thumb tucked underneath. When the catcher receives the ball, she&#39;s going to take her glove hand to her throwing hand to come up and throw. Good. Hide your thumb. Get your thumb underneath. There you go. Good. 
 
So remember, the most important thing with a catcher when they&#39;re in their catching stance is that they&#39;re balanced. We want the catcher balanced so she can move right and left very easy.

Coach stands behind the catcher. Catcher assumes their stance.

The coach tells the catcher what pitch is thrown and where.

The coach will give the catcher a few seconds to get ready.

When the coach claps their hands, the catcher will assume the blocking position and hold.

The coach or other players will check their form to make sure the catcher is in a good position.

Giving the catcher less time between pitch and location and the clap can vary the drill, or the catcher will go on verbal commands only.

Shadow Blocking Blocking Drill- (No ball)

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A great drill for catchers looking to improve reaction time and technique for catching pop ups.

Catching Pop and Dive Drill

A great drill for catchers looking to improve reaction time and technique for catching pop ups.

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Good drills for catchers looking to increase hand speed and quickness of release on throws.

Quick Catch

Catchers must learn to effectively knock down errant pitches.

What you need If you have more than one catcher that regularly plays for your team, you can work with each one of them. They should each have a pitcher to work with.

How this drill works A bad pitch can happen at any time and catchers need to be ready for it. Knocking down those bad pitches so they don&#39;t turn into a passed ball is very important.

Pitchers (or a coach) will take turns throwing good pitches and then throwing the odd hard one into the dirt. The catcher is going to have to try and react accordingly and knock the ball down. It is important for the catcher to get his or her body in front of the ball instead of just trying to knock it down with the glove.

You can make this drill more effective, and more game-like, if you include a batter who is going to take a few cuts at the bad balls. This adds a little distraction to the catcher.

Result While you want your pitchers to limit the number of wild pitches they throw, your catcher still needs to be prepared for anything. This drill is going to give them a little bit of work in that area.

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Catcher&#8217;s Block Drill

Become a Softball Coach

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/Coaching%20Softball%20Become%20a%20Softball%20Coach.pdf">Download Document:</a>

Become a Softball Coach

This American Sport Education Program coaching will help you coach youth softball players and how to maximize their skill sets. View PDF to print &amp; play!

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/Coaching%20Softball%20Identify%20Skills.pdf">Download Document:</a>

Identifying Skills in a Softball Player

Evaluate youth softball players strengths and weaknesses.

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/Coaching%20Athlete%20Character%20Evaluation.pdf">Download Document:</a>

Athlete Character Evaluation

Objective: Work on getting your outfielders to throw the ball to home on a bounce (or two) rather than on the fly. It is easier for the catcher to see the ball and less likely for the catcher to get hurt.

Put a base 15&#39;-20&#39; in front of home plate. The outfielder should hit that base with the throw, which should then bounce once or twice to home. Outfielders stand 120&#39;-140&#39; from home plate in a line. The ball is tossed to the outfielder who then throws home.

Scoring: - more than two bounces = 2 points, - two bounces = 3 points, - one bounce = 4 points, - no bounce, but good throw on the fly = 1 point.

Each player gets as many throws as time allows. High score wins.

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From "<a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coach&#39;s Toolkit</a>"

Bounce Throw Competition

Objective: Work on hitting the cut off properly while making the throws and relay as fast as possible.

Divide players into teams of 3 or 4. Each team has one player at each end and one or two in the middle (relay person(s)). Each team has one ball. On "GO" the first player throws to the relay person in the middle who turns and throws to the player on the other end. The throws are then reversed. Time the process from the 1st throw to the last catch.

Players then rotate, end 1 to middle, middle to end 2, end 2 to end 1, so each player has a turn in the relay position. The fastest time wins.

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From "<a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coach&#39;s Toolkit</a>"

Relay Competition

Objective: Develop the skill of picking up the ball in flight, then moving to the ball and catching it.

Outfielder starts with back to thrower. Thrower tosses fly ball into the air and yells "GO". Outfielder turns around, picks up the ball in flight and catches it. You can run this drill with one or two (CF and Wing) outfielders.

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From "<a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coach&#39;s Toolkit</a>"

Blind Drill

Objective: Add-on to the <a href="https://www.weplay.com/youth-softball/drills/102-Blind-Drill" rel="nofollow">Blind Drill</a> to make the drill tougher.

As the outfielder is catching the first ball, the thrower tosses another fly ball to the outfielder.

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From "<a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coach&#39;s Toolkit</a>"

Two Ball Drill

Objective: Work on outfielders catching the ball in a good position, ready to throw, and getting the ball into the throwing position quickly.

The outfielder is 30&#39;-40&#39; from the thrower. The thrower tosses a fly ball to the outfielder. The outfielder catchers the ball and throws to a catcher 60&#39; away. Time the outfielder from the catch until the ball is released. The fastest time wins.

<hr />
From "<a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coach&#39;s Toolkit</a>"

Timed Release Competition

There are two types of ground balls that outfielders will field. First, there are ground balls without a runner advancing. The responsibility of an outfielder in this situation is to keep the ball in front of them and get the ball to an infielder immediately. Encourage a fielding triangle similar to an infielder, keeping the ball in front at all times (drop knee for young athletes is okay).

When a runner is attempting to advance, an outfielder must catch the ball on the run and make an immediate throw. This second type of outfield ground ball involves the following fundamental steps:

<ol>
	<li>Ready Position</li>
	<li>Read</li>
	<li>Take angle (surround baseball)</li>
	<li>Go!</li>
</ol>

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<blockquote>
For more information, check out my book <a href="https://www.coachingthebeginningpitcher.com" rel="nofollow">Coaching the Beginning Pitcher</a>.
</blockquote>

Outfield Ground Ball Mechanics

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In this youth softball drill, Jennie Finch, has youth softball players move through a "catching on the run" drill to increase speed and accuracy.

Catching on the Run

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In this youth softball drill, Olympic Gold Medalist, Jennie Finch, reviews the "drop step drill".&nbsp; This is a great drill to teach youth players to avoid a stutter step, while remaining in motion towards the softball.

Transcription:

Jennie: This drill is just basic drop steps. So they have a ball and they&#39;re gonna hand the ball to the coach and they&#39;re gonna take off running back and then catch the ball over their heads. Basically just that drop step, the first couple steps are so important. You want to go straight to the ball versus any stutters that are gonna take that all away. You want to just "boom" drop step and attack the ball in the air. 
 
Amy: So when you do it you always want to exaggerate. How many of you guys in the outfield when you go to drop step you go this way and the ball is over your head that way? You can raise your hand. That&#39;s happened, right? I&#39;m sure it has happened to all of you. You start drop stepping I got it I got it except the ball is going this way, right? So just make sure you guys make hard drop steps. We&#39;re gonna make a straight line, so if I were to drop step I want to always almost touch shoulders with the person behind me. So we are going to drop step off the toes, pump your arms, and then last second stick your [inaudible 00:01:00] out. Most important thing to remember is do I run to first base with my hand out like this? No, right? You pump your arm, same thing in the outfield and this is good for middle infielders, corners. It is good for everyone to learn drop steps. Make sure you guys keep your arms up and a tight drop step. 
 
Jennie: Like Amy said, so important, that arm wants to go up right away but that is a lot slower and a lot harder to get to the ball with your arm up so keep that glove in and then last minute extend to that ball. You guys ready?&nbsp; 
 
Amy: Come on pump, pump, pump. Good! Keep going! Reach! Good grab! Keep going! Keep going! Good job! Good job! Right around the base. Keep going! Keep going! Nice job! Good Job! Keep going! Keep going! Good grab! Good going!

Drop Step Drill

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Former MLB second baseman Harold Reynolds explains a great drill for middle infielders working on getting the ball in and out of their glove.

Houston Drill

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In this youth softball drill, Jennie Finch, warms up the girls with a "throwing on the run" drill.&nbsp; This is an excellent softball drill for getting players moving and fired up before practice or a game.

Transcription:

Our first rule that we are going to do is just practicing throwing on the run. So it&#39;s basically in a rundown situation, nice little touch on the ball and moving their feet getting it and going kind of a little pump me up for practice. And it&#39;s just practice throwing on the run, those rundowns. So after you throw it your going to tail off on the throwing side. So this is all about having a touch, you guys know when you get close to someone and they just fire it away and your like, "oh! oh!" So go ahead a little jug toss it, get rid of it as soon as you get it. 
 
See that transfer. If you throw it at the chest or on their throwing side, that makes it that much easier to transfer and that much quicker, versus throwing it over here and then having to move all the way to get your shoulders turned, right? So hands here, boom, right out. Good, make sure you get those shoulders turned. We got to be quick. Sometimes we have girls that run first base in less than two point five seconds. That&#39;s pretty quick, right? We got to go attack the ball as fast as we can to get rid of it.&nbsp;

Throwing on the Run

Field the ball outside your glove-side foot

Look ball into glove

Crow Hop

Hit the cut-off man

<h3>What is a Crow Hop?</h3>

A crow hop is executed with the back leg hopping in front of the front leg. It is intended to gather the momentum behind an outfielder&#39;s throw. In the case of a right-handed thrower, this athlete will field a ground ball outside of his left leg (glove side). A proper crow hop will entail his right leg hopping in front of his left leg. Allow an outfielder to take one or two steps before executing the crow hop.

<hr />
<blockquote>
For more information, check out my book <a href="https://www.coachingthebeginningpitcher.com" rel="nofollow">Coaching the Beginning Pitcher</a>.
</blockquote>

Outfield Ground Ball Technique

<h3>1. READY POSITION</h3>

Similar to the infielders, all outfielders should be encouraged to focus immediately as the pitch is released. This can be the same right left hop footwork to ensure that the athlete is on the balls of his feet and ready to react.

<h3>2. DROPSTEP AND READ</h3>

First step back! Any time a ball is hit in the air, an athlete&#39;s first step is back. Specifically, on a ball to his right side, the athlete is to step back with his right leg and open up to judge distance. A ball hit in the air on his left, the athlete is to dropstep with his left leg. The next step is to read how hard the ball is hit to decide to charge or go back on the baseball. Any fly ball hit short requires the athlete to charge in.

<h3>3. CROSSOVER</h3>

For a ball hit behind the outfielder, the athlete is to dropstep followed by a crossover step. On a ball to his right, the dropstep will be with the right foot followed by a left foot crossover step. For a ball hit to his left, the dropstep will be with the left foot followed by a right foot crossover step. Sounds complicated it&#39;s simple and it works!

<h3>4. GO!</h3>

Run down the baseball and make the catch.

<hr />
<blockquote>
For more information, check out my book <a href="https://www.coachingthebeginningpitcher.com" rel="nofollow">Coaching the Beginning Pitcher</a>.
</blockquote>

Outfield Fly Ball Mechanics

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A key to getting teammates on the same page and more comfortable with each other is by constantly <a href="https://www.teamsnap.com/teams/features/messages">communicating</a>.

Communication on the Field

Purpose:

The main purpose of this drill is to work on the throws that infielders will be required to make during a game. The catcher will be able to work on throws down to second and third, the middle infielders will work on turning two, and the corner infielders will be able to work on throws home and across the diamond. (See attached diagram)

How it Works:

This drill is performed with every infield position manned. When the drill is first run it can be done without base runners. Once the drill is practiced a few times then outfielders can be used for base runners. The ball should go "around the world" and back home before the runner makes it all the way around the bases. A game could even be run with a point being awarded to the runners or the infielders depending on who wins.

The ball starts out with the catcher. The catcher throws down to second base where the shortstop catches it, touches the base and throws down to first. The first baseman catches the ball while touching first and then throws down to third base. The third baseman catches the ball and then throws to second where the second baseman will catch the ball, touch second, and pivot and throw down to first. This time the first baseman will catch the ball and throw home. The catcher will catch the ball and throw down to third base. The third baseman will catch the ball and return the throw back to home.

If a base runner is used, the catcher should hold onto the ball until the base runner clears past him and then begin the throwing drill by going to second base.

Coaching Points:

The coach should be looking to make sure players are catching the ball with two hands and transitioning smoothly from catching the ball to throwing the ball. Players should make sure they touch the base with each and every catch. It&#39;s important that players keep their feet under them and make strong throws.

The coach should also pay attention to the way the base runner circles the bases. The player should run in a straight line to each base and only curve out to circle each bag about 10-15 fifteen before the bag. This is the shortest distance. (Runners should not make a huge circle around the bases.)

Courtesy of <a href="https://www.baseball-tutorials.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.baseball-tutorials.com/</a>

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Around the World

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New York Mets outfielder Ryan Church offers up some helpful advice and reminders for playing the outfield.

Ryan Church: Tips for Playing the Outfield

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No matter how high or how low you feel after the last game, the important thing is to remember the lessons learned and start fresh the next time around.

Ryan Church: Getting Ready for the Next Game

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A girls&#39; softball coach breaks down how to catch a fly ball. These softball tips stress keeping both hands high and bringing down the softball with "soft" hands. Learn how hand position is key.

Fielding Fly Balls

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A girls&#39; softball coach breaks down how to catch a fly ball. These softball tips stress keeping both hands high and bringing down the softball with "soft" hands. Learn how hand position is key.

Transcription:

A little more advanced drill for our outfielders in catching a fly ball. It&#39;s not just your standard ball that sits and you get underneath it like we just went through. Sometimes as an outfielder you&#39;re going to have to move to the ball. That would mean opening up to the ball, whether it&#39;s opening up glove side, or opening up the opposite direction.&nbsp; 
 
Now, what I&#39;m going to do with Monica is I&#39;m going to toss them a little further and a little farther. It&#39;s going to force her to open up and really track the ball. Once she catches it, play it, toss me the ball back. It&#39;s okay if she misses one. Are you ready? Go. Go. Go. Catch up to it. And one more, go. Nice catch. As you can see, that&#39;s an effective, time saving drill that really gets the girls to open up and keep their eye on the ball in the outfield.

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A youth softball player can learn introductory fielding and throwing with the "alligator" and "scarecrow" stances. Use these softball tips to give your youth players the confidence for playing defense.

Alligator Scarecrow Drill

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It&#39;s important for youth baseball players to learn good technique when catching fly balls. This video breaks down the proper way to make an above-the-chin catch, putting the player in the right position to make a play after the catch.

How to Catch Fly Balls

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Infielders must learn to charge ground balls rather than wait for the ball to come to them or throwing out runners becomes much more difficult. This video features a simple baseball drill that reinforces the concept of charging ground balls.

Transcriptions:

Baseball is a game of inches. So many times the runners are just barely out or just barely safe. A lot of times when kids field ground balls, what they do is they get into the proper position, but they actually wait for the baseball. Allowing the ball to take more bounces, allowing the runner to get further down the line. Now I have to field the ball and rush it.&nbsp; 
 
So, what we&#39;re gonna do is, we&#39;re gonna set up cones or you can draw two lines, either or. I&#39;m gonna get into my position, my coach is going to roll the ball to me, I&#39;m going to charge the ball in front of the cone or the line, and then make the throw. And what this is doing is, this is reinforcing me to actually move through the baseball. Making that close play out opposed to being safe.&nbsp; 
 
Again, I&#39;m in my fielding position, there&#39;s the ball. I approach it. I make the catch, and now I make the throw.&nbsp;

Charging Grounders

Divide players into two teams ... X and Y. Team X competes against Team Y.

The ball is thrown criss-cross down the line to every other player. Then the ball is returned back to the same partner.

The winning team is the one which gets the ball back to the start first.

Alternate the drill by throwing short hops or increasing the distance between players and/or the throwing distance.

Another alternative is to use one ball and throw the ball to anyone in the opposite line except the player that threw the ball to you.

(See attachment)

<hr />
Reprinted with permission from <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/vrqbowjhrw.pdf">Download Document: vrqbowjhrw.pdf</a>

Criss-Cross Drill

Divide the team into groups of two. If an uneven number of players are present use a coach to fill one group. One member of each group stands on one baseline, the other member on the opposite baseline.

Space groups appropriately to allow for safety. Each group has a ball. On "GO" each team begins throwing the ball back and forth across the field. Each time a team completes one throw and catch they count one point. If the throw is bad, or the ball is not caught, the teams score goes to zero.

Allow thirty to sixty seconds for the round and call "STOP".

Each team gives its score. The team with the highest score wins and each of those two players gets one point. Then rotate to the left so that all the teams are different.

When all teams are set and have a ball, start another round as above. Run as many rounds as the time allotted for the game will allow.

At the conclusion the player(s) with the most points are the winner (s).

Teaching points: some players will try to keep their throws soft so as not to make an error and have their team score go to zero. Stress that the objective is to throw as hard and fast as possible and develop throwing and catching skills, not just get the best score in this game. Concentrate on developing a good rhythm of moving to the ball to catch it and continuing on with the throwing motion.

This is also a good time to watch your players and see who uses two hands and catches the ball properly. After running this contest for several practices the best fielders will almost always end up with the highest number of points.

(See attached diagram)

<hr />
Reprinted with permission from <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>

Speed Throw

This drill is set up with four fielders, a pitcher and catcher in position with a hitter at home plate. The coach hits a ground ball to the 3B who throws to the catcher who touches home as if getting a force out. The catcher then throws to 1B as if completing a double play. The 1B returns the ball to the catcher. The coach then hits a ground ball in order to the SS, 2B, 1B and P and the same play is executed. When the ball is hit to the 1B the 2B should move over and cover first base as the 1B will not be able to get back to the bag to make the play.

After each fielder has fielded a ground ball, players rotate to their left and move to the end of the line at the next position and the first player in the line moves in to field that position. Continue the drill until every player has a turn at each position.

The drill stresses fielding, throwing and catching as well as simulating plays which occur during a game. Time each cycle to provide incentive to your players to improve each time a group makes the plays.

Infield Throwing Drill #2

The objective of the drill is to practice throwing, catching and quick reaction. Trying to be the quickest group adds game like pressure to the drill.

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/pofrj6iq1l.pdf">Download Document: pofrj6iq1l.pdf</a>

Box Throw Drill

This objective of this drill is to practice plays which will happen in a game. The emphasis is on fielding and throwing under pressure.

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/yeqm6ysyi8.pdf">Download Document: yeqm6ysyi8.pdf</a>

Triple Infield Drill

This drill provides many repetitions of players fielding a bunt and throwing to a specific base. 

Five players are positioned at C, P, 1B, 2B, 3B. The remaining players are placed along the first base line and will rotate into the drill at the catching position. Empty buckets are placed at 1B, 2B, 3B. The coach and a full bucket of balls are positioned at home plate.

The drill starts with the coach bunting, or rolling, a ball to the pitcher. The pitcher fields the ball and throws to third base. The 3B puts the ball in the bucket at third base. 

Next the coach bunts, or rolls, a ball to the 1B who fields the ball and throws to second base. The 2B puts the ball in the bucket at second base. Next roll a bunt to the 3B who throws to first base. The 1B puts the ball in the bucket at first base. Finally roll a bunt for the C who throws to the 2B covering first base. The 2B puts the ball in the bucket at first base.

Then the coach begins the second series and finally the third series. Players then rotate as follows: Sitting to C, C to P, P to 3B, 3B to 2B, 2B to 1B, 1B to Sitting. The drill then resumes at the beginning.

The series of plays are: P - 3B, 1B 2B, 3B 1B, C 2B @ 1B; P - 1B, 1B 2B @ 1B, 3B 2B @ 2B, C 3B; P - 2B, 1B 3B, 3B 2B @ 1B, C-1B.

When the coaches bucket is empty the players at first, second and third base bring in their buckets and put the balls in the coach's bucket. The players then return to their positions with the empty buckets.

Objectives: 
- Proper technique in fielding a bunt. 
- Throwing the ball to a specific base. 
- Second baseman gets practice moving to first base and receiving a throw. 

Receiving the ball at the base (fielders can either simulate a tag or just touch the base).

<hr>Check out the many drills like this in A <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>

Softball Skills: Bunt Defense Drill 

Divide your players into two equal groups. Each group will "run" the relay course against the clock or the other group. Player vs. player can be fun and exciting but also runs the risk of players colliding and falling. Running against the clock is less risky.

The relay course is set up as a square using four small red cones or the bases. The course would have four corners 60 feet apart if the bases are used or you can set the cones at whatever distance you choose. A forty feet square is about the shortest distance for a good relay.

Players are lined up at the starting cone or base. The first player begins when the coach says "GO". Each player runs the course as shown in the diagram below.

When a player finishes the course that player tags the next player in line who then "runs" the course, and so on until all players have run. If you are running player vs. players the first team to finish wins that relay. If you are running vs. the clock the faster time wins.

Each player on the winning team gets one point.

Then mix up the teams and run another relay.

Keep the time of each winning team. At the end of the drill determine which team had the fastest time. Each of the players on that team receives an extra point.

When all relays have been completed determine which player(s) have the highest number of points. That player(s) are the winners for the day.

Objectives: 
- Utilize the element of competition. 
- Work on quickness and footwork.

With six players in a group it should take several minutes to complete a relay. In a twenty minute session you should be able to run four or five relays.

<hr />
Check out the many drills like this in <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>

Butterfly Relay Drill

A great drill to practice basic Infield skills: fielding, throwing and catching.

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/nm8dbxkyo4.pdf">Download Document: nm8dbxkyo4.pdf</a>

Loop Drill

Divide the team into two relatively equal teams: 
One starts as offense, the other as defese

DEFENSE ----&gt; POSITIONED IN THE OUTFIELD - ON THE GRASS

OFFENSE ----&gt; HIT WITH A SOFT TOSS FROM HOME PLATE

<h4>WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE OFFENSE HITS THE BALL ?</h4>

<ol>
	<li>A FLY BALL:</li>
	<li>HITS THE GRASS = 1 RUN FOR OFFENSE</li>
	<li>
	CAUGHT = 1 FLY BALL FOR DEFENSE
	</li>
	<li>
	A GROUND BALL:
	</li>
	<li>FIELDED CLEANLY = 1 GROUND BALL</li>
	<li>THREE GROUND BALLS = 1 FLY BALL</li>
	<li>
	MISHANDLED = 1 RUN
	</li>
	<li>
	A BALL THAT DOESN&#39;T GO TO OUTFIELD GRASS = 1 FLY BALL
	</li>
</ol>

WHEN THE DEFENSE GETS THREE FLY BALLS THEY CHANGE TO OFFENSE

AFTER SEVERAL ROUNDS (EACH TEAM ON OFFENSE ONCE) THE TEAM WITH THE MOST RUNS IS THE WINNER.

<hr />
Check out the many drills like this in <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>

Three Flies In

Throwing and catching are two of the most important skills for a ball player. Many throws in a game situation are between 30 and 60 feet.

The Four Star Drill gives players practice with throws in the 40 feet range, like they could experience in a game.

The drill emphasizes throwing, catching and quick reactions. Timing the drill puts emphasis on using proper techniques to try and achieve the best time.

<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/v5vdhvqoa8.pdf">Download Document: v5vdhvqoa8.pdf</a>

Four Star Drill

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Learn how to help your 1st baseman improve her footwork around the base and get more people out!

Softball Fieliding Tips: 1st Base Footwork

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Learn the basics of fielding groundballs and some great ways to help improve your infielders

Basics of Fielding Groundballs

Watch some drills to help your pitchers learn the proper Fastball grip and release to help them improve their control and speed

Fastball Grip &amp; Release

A GREAT DRILL! It creates competition. It teaches quick hands. It demonstrates the importance of good throws.

Goal: Teach infielders to get the ball off as quickly as possible after catching the ball.

Drill: With partners about 20-25 feet apart, the partners catch and throw the ball back and forth as quickly as possible. The fielders make sure they use their feet to square off their shoulders to make strong throws to their partners.

Start with all the balls on one side. When the coach yells, "go," the play begins. When the player who threw the ball first receives the ball, he calls out "one." This is one complete revolution. The play continues until the coach yells, "stop." How many complete revolutions did they make? Don&#39;t count half revolutions.

The players should quickly see how expensive it is to miss a throw. The winning players will always be the one using two hands to catch and making good throws. They aren&#39;t necessarily the ones moving the fastest. Make sure the players understand this. You might want to have everyone watch the winning team.

Here&#39;s another tip. Every once in awhile, after the players have each selected a partner and are on the line ready to begin, tell the players on one side to move down one player and have the player at the end come to the front. This will disturb the pairing and will allow better players to help weaker ones.

This drill is very effective if done as the last warm up done before every game or practice begins.

30 Second Drill

Practice all kinds of short hops: Straight-on, backhand, glove side, hot potato in the hole. Focus drills on the fundamentals of quick feet, centering the ball, moving to either side, keeping your eyes on the ball.

<ul>
	<li>
	Put your players into circles - about 6 players to a circle. Hand a ball to one player.
	</li>
	<li>
	The players will throw a short hop to anyone in the circle. If the throw is poor, the player is out. If the throw is good and missed, the player making the fielding error is out. (Don&#39;t call the player out if it&#39;s a bad hop).
	</li>
	<li>
	Keep going until one player is left. The players that are out should be cheering the others on. Keep working all the players until you have a team champ. Repeat the drill at all practices so that other players get a chance to de-throne the champ.
	</li>
</ul>

Remember that keys to becoming a good infielder are learned skills, not merely the result of natural ability.

Short Hops

Short hops don&#39;t happen only after the crack of the bat. Every infielder will get bad throws and whether they can pick that throw or not will be the result of their practicing quick picks. Have your first baseman dig out bad throws.

Have your middle infielders and third basemen practice "grab and tag"; this is where they&#39;re simulating a bad throw from the catcher or another infield that they pick and then have to make a tag on. Have them practice pop-tags, sweep tags and swipe tags.

The more game situations you can simulate, the more prepared your players will be.

Quick Picks

The best way to practice catching with two hands and working on soft hands is to do your infield drills with and without a glove.

The glove is obviously an incredibly important tool, but it can sometimes get in the way of learning the best fundamentals.

Bare Hands

Purpose: To create game-like defensive situation and to work on the softball throwing mechanics. This drill also provides baserunning practice and conditioning for runners.

Procedure: Place the defensive players, including the catcher, in their positions (a pitcher is optional). Extra players should run with helmets on. Next, create defensive situations by placing runners at a certain base to begin the inning. The coach fungos from home plate, and the runners and defense play it out like they would in a game. Play the innings out or just keep repeating a certain situation until it is mastered. Perform this drill for 20-30 minutes.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Controlled Fungo

Purpose: To have the softball infield turn double plays as in a game.

Procedure: Infielders assume normal double-play defensive positions. The shortstop and second baseman shade several steps toward second. The hitter at home hits ground balls to all infielders so that they can practice proper angles, feeds, and pivots. Don&#39;t forget to include the pitcher and the catcher fielding and throwing to second base. Include all types of hits - slow grounders, high bouncers, and hard shots - to all parts of the infield.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Softball Fielding: Turning the Double Play 

Purpose: To help fielders improve lateral movement. This drill provides a good softball conditioning element as well.

Procedure: Players set up with a partner and stand facing each other approximately 6-10 feet apart. One player has a ball, and her partner begins in her infield ready position (outfielders can use a middle infield ready position). The partner rolls the ball to the fielder&#39;s side, and the fielder responds by shuffling her feet to move to field the ball (as opposed to making a crossover step). After fielding the ball with both hands the fielder immediately tosses the ball in the air back to her partner, and the partner then rolls the ball to the fielder&#39;s other side. Perform this for two or three sets of 10 or 15 tosses.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Diamond Drill

Purpose: A softball drill for the fastpitch softball defense which puts game-like pressure on the infielder or the outfielder.

Procedure: Set up for any of the defensive drills in this directory. An additional player waits off to the side of the drill. When a fielder makes a throwing or fielding error, she leaves the drill and the player who is waiting replaces her. Every time an error is made the fielder steps out and the waiting player steps in.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Bump Out

Purpose: To learn to catch a fly ball for the outfield defense when playing in sunny conditions.

Procedure: Before the drill begins, each fielder should identify the sun&#39;s position. Fielders should put their gloves up slightly sideways and closed to shield their eyes from the sun. This will prepare them for the drill. This preparation also needs to be done in the game on sunny days. Fielders can set up anywhere in the outfield where there is room. A partner tosses a ball in the air directly into the sun, and the outfielder holds up her glove as described above. If a fielder loses the ball in the sun she has to look down and try to pick up the ball as it comes out of the sun. Toss five balls and switch roles. Repeat this drill twice.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Sun Balls

Purpose: A drill for the fastpitch softball defense which improves outfield decision making about whether to go for the lead runner or the batter.

Procedure: Use a full defense minus the pitcher with runners at home and first going on the hit. A runner at home starts on the right side of the plate out of the hitter&#39;s way and goes on contact to make the play realistic. She runs to first and joins the line there. The hitter hits various types of balls to the outfield. The fielder must decide whether to go for the lead runner or throw behind her and stop the second runner. Move runners to different starting positions and vary the types of balls played.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Decision Drill

Purpose: This softball drill is to field an assortment of batted balls and to field with different footwork positions. To throw to different bases and to condition.

Number of players: 5-9

Procedure: Players are in left field and at second (with a ball) and third base, with a player catching and fungo hitter at the plate. One player works through all the defensive players that follow. 
1. A ground ball is hit to the left fielder who throws it home. 
2. The left fielder runs into center field where the second baseman throws a fly ball. The player catches the fly and throws it to second base. 
3. Then the player runs into right field where the second baseman throws a ground ball toward the foul line. The player fields the ball and throws to third base. 
4. Lastly, the player runs to left field where the batter hits her a ground ball which is thrown home. 

After the player completes the circuit, the outfielder becomes the catcher at home, the catcher rotates to third base, third base rotates to second base, and second base rotates to left field. Additional players are waiting their turns at the outfield position.

<hr><blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Outfield Loop

Purpose: To practice getting behind a hit ball in the ideal fielding position. Good practice for softball outfielders.

Procedure: Fielders are in line behind the left foul line with a hitter and catcher at home plate. Each fielder starts on the foul line, and the ball is hit in the gap between left field and center field. The fielder makes an intense effort to field the ball while facing the catcher. Have a group competition, awarding one point for fielding the ball, one point for a good throw, and one point for fielding the ball facing the catcher. Go to the opposite foul line and repeat from that side.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Shoot the Gap

Purpose: This drill for the outfield defense is to have outfielders practice fielding balls and taking angles for balls down the line and in the alleys.

Procedure: This drill requires four outfielders, receivers at second base and third base, a hitter, and a catcher. Because the center fielder is always involved on balls to the gap, it is best to use two - one in left center and one in right center. The left and right fielders are in normal position. The ball is fungoed alternately to the two pairs of outfielders in the alley and down the line. The first ball is hit down the left-field line, the second to the right-field line, the third to the left-field alley, and the fourth to the right-field alley. Outfielders work on short-angle and deep-angle coverage and hitting the relay or bases. Have each fielder throw to both second and third base. Use extra outfielders or pitchers to cover the bases if the infielders are busy elsewhere. Have players return balls to the catcher or use a bucket at each base.

<hr />
<blockquote>
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/blog</a>

He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world&#39;s best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at <a href="https://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html</a> - Go Sign-up Now
</blockquote>

Down the Line, Up the Valley

Split your fielders up into 3 even groups and put them at the points of the triangle.

Coach stands at point #3.

Coach hits the ball to fielder at point 1.

Fielder at point 1 throws to player at point 2.

Player at point 2 catches the ball and throws to the player standing next to the coach at point 3.

Players follow their ball after they make a throw. (player standing next to the coach will run to point 1 after receiving the ball from point 2 and giving it to the coach).

Repeat until all players back into their original spots. Of course, you can make them go more than one round if you wish.

For the drill described above the ball will go in a clockwise direction around the triangle. You can also reverse the direction and have the player practice their footwork for getting the ball around the triangle in the counter-clockwise direction.

You may also vary the distance of the players. Bring them in closer for practice with quick short throws. Move them away to practice footwork for longer throws.

The Triangle Drill

This softball drill is basically to get the girls focused on stopping the ball when it's coming to them. In this softball drill, eliminate the throw entirely so that their only focus is stopping that ball. Make sure they are approaching the ball well. Make sure they are using proper fielding technique and footwork. Emphasize these things and most of all, emphasize stopping the ball! 

You can't do anything on defense unless they control the ball. 

Since the players won't be making a throw, they can concentrate fully on fielding technique. Then simply have them run the ball over to a bucket and run back in line to field again. 

Of course, where you place the bucket is up to you. If you only have a few players in the drill you'll probably want to keep it close so the flow of the drill isn't interrupted by the players having to run over and drop the ball off. If you have more players you can move the bucket further away to keep the players moving and make the drill physically challenging.

Ball First

Before putting your team through this drill explain:

<ul>
	<li>What a relay is</li>
	<li>What the purpose of a relay is</li>
	<li>When a relay is used</li>
</ul>

Show them and teach:

<ul>
	<li>What the role of each part of the relay is</li>
	<li>How to properly execute each part</li>
</ul>

Split your team into 3 groups. One group will be in the outfield, one group in the cut position, and the other in the receiving position at the end of the relay. Remind each player what you expect in each role.

Hit the ball to the outfielder and have your team relay the ball in. Each player in the each group should get a chance to execute their role (outfield/cut/receive) before you rotate the groups.

<h3>Things to Emphasize: </h3>

Outfield role: proper catching/throwing technique, accurate throw through the cut

Cut role: getting lined up, proper body position and calling for the ball from the outfielder, getting into proper catching position upon catch, moving to get the ball if necessary, making quick accurate throw so receiver can make a tag on the runner (keep the ball low, chest high is not where we want this throw).

Receive role: help cut line up, call for the ball, proper positioning on bag and for making the catch, quickly apply a secure tag on the runner, moving to make the catch if necessary

Teaching the Relay

<div class='img-vid img-thumbnail'><iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zcjCmwd6VZw' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Over The Shoulder Catch

Over The Shoulder Catch

<div class='img-vid img-thumbnail'><iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yaMkOKxMXVw' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Transcription:

This next drill is one of my favorite drill. I use it all the time with my athletes. And guess what? The athletes love it, because it&#39;s a challenge every time. All you need is basically two tennis balls or even one tennis ball to start with. The purpose of that drill is to really work on quick acceleration and getting to the ball quickly.&nbsp; 
 
All you want to do is to have the athletes standing in front into the defensive position or assuming a good athletic stance. Then you want a partner to be couple feet away. You can start with one ball only. Let&#39;s say I put one in my pocket right here. Put it right here. The purpose of that drill is I&#39;m gonna let the ball bounce on the ground, and she has to get to the ball before it bounces a second time.&nbsp; 
 
Now, it&#39;s not always possible. As I said, it&#39;s a challenge. Sometimes it&#39;s gonna be hard, but it has to be challenging yet it has to be doable. That&#39;s the idea behind the drill. All you want the athletes to do is to get in their defensive stance as soon as they see the ball leaving my hand.&nbsp; 
 
They have to plyo step and then start and accelerate quickly and try to get to the ball before it bounces second time. Now, you always want to emphasize to do everything correctly. That means that, as soon as they catch the ball, they also have to work on the transition to get into their throwing stance.&nbsp; 
 
Always emphasize correct mechanics in everything you do. Then I could back up a little bit further. Again, it was not that challenging for her. The next step into that drill to make it a little more difficult, using two tennis ball. And at that point, she doesn&#39;t know which one I&#39;m gonna drop, okay. So again, she has to focus on making sure she gets a good plyo step, a good start, and gets the ball very quickly. Backing up a little, and that&#39;s a gonna be a little more challenging for her. There we go.&nbsp; 
 
Sometimes, the ball&#39;s gonna bounce a second time, which is fine, because the athletes have comfortable feeling balls very low and getting there very quickly. Let&#39;s do it again. Excellent. So as you see, this is something that doesn&#39;t require a lot of space. All you need are two tennis balls per groups of two. Work in partners. Do that for a couple minutes, maybe 10 each and switch. The athletes will love it, and this is definitely going to work on their ability to get to the ball very quickly and work on their acceleration using the plyo step technique.

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How to Improve Softball Footwork

<div class='img-vid img-thumbnail'><iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/_SU-OPI6Obk' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Work on reaction speed in this drill, perfect for any baseball player looking to improve in the field

Baseball Conditioning: Reaction Wall Drill

<div class='img-vid img-thumbnail'><iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/brErCNfnEsg' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Legendary coach Judi Garman explains the scarecrow drill. Great for drilling the most fundamental aspects of solid fielding

Softball Fielding: The Scarecrow Drill

"My favorite practice drill is actually holding a softball in the hands and tossing it back and forth. Seeing the ball and focusing with my eyes on the ball. I just could always feel a sense of when I was ready to start competing and that was a simple drill. For me it definitely worked for 30 years." 
-- Dr. Dot Richardson

<hr>Courtesy of <a href="https://www.FastpitchTVShow.com" rel="nofollow">FastpitchTVShow.com</a>

Simple Ball Toss

"My favorite practice drill....well it&#39;s not really a drill but....Just taking lots and lots and lots and lots of ground balls. I kinda over the years have grown to love ground balls. I use to hate them before. But now, it&#39;s one of my favorite things." - Natasha Watley, Olympian

<hr />
Courtesy of <a href="https://www.FastpitchTVShow.com" rel="nofollow">FastpitchTVShow.com</a>

Ground Ball Repetition

"One of my favorite practice drills I actually took from (USA Coach) Mike Candrea. It&#39;s called the USA Throw Around. And what it is is, you put an infield out there and you take your outfielders and you hit to any infielder and then she throws to one and then they throw around the circle and then they try to throw around the circle again before the outfield runs a home run. And it teaches them to really play game speed. And I think probably, that&#39;s my team favorite practice to get them ready to play games. Because a lot of times they come out here and they&#39;re just warming up. Then the get into a game and they really have to get the ball out of their glove." 
- Dianne Baker, Hall of Fame Coach

<hr />
Courtesy of <a href="https://www.FastpitchTVShow.com" rel="nofollow">FastpitchTVShow.com</a>

USA Throw-Around

<div class='img-vid img-thumbnail'><iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/_tNZpTDR9Ss' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Derek Jeter focuses on the fundamentals of baseball skills and drills by reviewing the ready position.&nbsp;Make sure your beginner baseball player demonstrates balance and a solid base before moving on to more advanced baseball drills.

Transcription:

Derek: All right, you guys ready to go? 
 
Kids: Yeah. 
 
Derek: Ready to learn some stuff today? 
 
Kids: Mm-hmm. 
 
Derek: So if you guys have any questions at any time, ask me, all right? I know you&#39;ve got a lot of questions, right? Yeah? So what we&#39;re going to do is, first we&#39;re going to work on our getting ready position. Can anybody here play basketball? 
 
Ryan: Mm-hmm. 
 
Derek: How do you play defense in basketball? 
 
Ryan: Like this. 
 
Derek: Yeah, you&#39;ve always got to be on your toes, right, so you can go left and right. It&#39;s the same thing on defense. So if you&#39;re playing defense on me, I&#39;m playing basketball, how&#39;re you got? If I go this way, you&#39;re with me, right? So, baseball, it&#39;s the same thing. You&#39;ve gotta be in ready position. You&#39;ve gotta be on the balls of your feet so you can go left to right at any time. All right? 
 
So we&#39;re going to work on our ready position. All right? So I&#39;m acting like I&#39;m the pitcher, and then when I get ready to throw, that&#39;s when you guys get ready. Okay? There we go. Now you, what you need to do, Joe, you need to spread your legs out a little bit. 
 
Joe: Like that? 
 
Derek: Yeah, like that. Because, put them back together, now if you&#39;re like that, I can just push you out of the way, right? 
 
Joe: Mm-hmm. 
 
Derek: But now spread out. When I try to push you, you&#39;re better, right? Okay, we&#39;ll try it one more time. You ready? Now you guys are ready to go. Now you&#39;re tall, so you want to make sure that you get your butt down a little bit. See, I&#39;m tall too. So you don&#39;t want to go like this, you wanna make sure you get your butt down. 
 
All right. There&#39;s one thing you&#39;ve got to realize when you&#39;re playing defense, you always want to make sure your glove is on the ground, all right? You&#39;ve got to make sure you get your butt... But put your other hand out here because you always want to... There you go. 
 
So we&#39;re going to do some drills like that without the glove to make sure you guys are down. Remember, now, to get your butt down. All right?

Shortstop Ready Position

Divide players into two teams ... X and Y. Team X competes against Team Y.
The ball is thrown criss-cross down the line to every other player. Then the ball is returned back to the same partner.
The winning team is the one which gets the ball back to the start first.
Alternate the drill by throwing short hops or increasing the distance between players and/or the throwing distance.
Another alternative is to use one ball and throw the ball to anyone in the opposite line except the player that threw the ball to you.
(See attachment)
<hr />
Reprinted with permission from <a href="https://www.softballpickles.com/softballcoachestoolkit.html" rel="nofollow">A Softball Coaches Tool Kit</a>
<a href="https://marketing-content.teamsnap.com/youth_sports_drills/vrqbowjhrw.pdf">Download Document: vrqbowjhrw.pdf</a>

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