1) I, or another softball coach, hit or throw the softball to them.
2) Set up a large trash can to throw the ball back to.
3) The goal is to throw the ball into the can while the can is lying down on its side.  To make this softball drill more difficult you can start using smaller cans as they get better.

Make a game out of it and the players like the sound of the ball hitting inside the can.  They are always “awing” and “oohing” each other!  It makes them focus on throwing the ball straight and to the object they are throwing at.  Works great.

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There is no time for day dreaming with this one or watching the other players.  To really get the pace going have your softball coaches pick up the pace of the hitting.  Emphasize all aspects here: the throw, good and sharp, the fielding with the emphases on the quick release, two hands.  We will time our players and get them to release the softball within 2 seconds.  The best part is about 5 minutes to each position and it keeps all players working and thinking:

Infield softball drill: (2 hitters) all fielders at bases and SS

Hitting coaches should take a position with one to the right of home plate and one to the left of home plate:

1st round: 1st coach hits to 3rd who throws to 2nd with 2nd baseman covering
2nd coach hits to SS who throws to 1st

2nd round: 1st coach hits to 3rd who throws to 1st
2nd coach hits to 2nd who throws to SS covering 2nd

3rd round: 1st coach hits to SS who throws to 2nd with 2nd baseman covering
2nd coach hits to 1st who throws to 3rd

4th round: 1st coach hits to 2nd base who throws to 1st
2nd coach hits to SS who throws 3rd

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Line your outfielders in any outfield position.  We use a pitching machine to sail balls deep into the pocket or burn a line drive into the gaps.

The girls must learn to take off just before the ball goes into play from a ready position. They stand at ready, both feet moving in anticipation. They must react to the ball as soon as it comes off the bat so they are locked on the strike zone with such concentration that when they explode toward the ball is a reaction not a thought.

Part 2 is an eye patch over their glove hand-eye. This makes them track the ball in the air all the way to the glove. They must move their head and glove to track the ball and make the catch.

Since these 2 softball drills were put into the practice regiment we have had only 2 fly balls make it to the ground out of just over 30 fly balls in fair territory.  The girls now call it the “easy out drill”.

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Setup for this drill–is at least 4 fielders, 1 baserunner, two bases, two targets (anywhere from 30 to 60 feet from the base path), and a changing indicator. We like to put a target (maybe a bucket) on the ground (throwing for a tag) and another about 4 or 5 feet in the air (throwing to a player on a base). You can be creative for the changing indicator using hands, fingers, location within the base path where the tag may occur.

Running the drill:  It all starts with a hot-box (or pickle) drill, where fielders are running down a baserunner caught between bases. Once the tag occurs, the tagger immediately looks at the indicator (with a sign for the lower target and another indicating the upper target). Determine the target and throw the softball to hit the target.

Sometimes we use which side of the halfway mark between bases where the tag occurs as an indicator. The purpose of the indicator is to get the tagger to see the signal quickly (in a game its another base runner) and make the correct throw to the correct target.  We award a point for a tag and a point for hitting the correct target with the ball.

We like to split into teams and make it a contest. This has been a great way to put mental pressure on our players as they make plays in the infield.

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(B) Player one throws a ground ball to player two. Player two fields the ball cleanly and throws the softball back to player one.

(C) Player two will then run towards player one and circle her heading back to her spot. Player one throws a fly ball like a quarterback to a wide receiver. You can alternate the throws from short to long as well throw to the right and to the left.

(D) Then after player two gets the ball she throws it back to player one. Player one throws the ball to player two. Player two throws a ground ball to player one and the process is repeated.

Always reinforce the fact that the object is to make adjustments while running forward and looking back at the ball and not so much as catching the ball; one leads to the other in time.

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Zig Zag Drill:

This softball drill  is similar to what football defense do for their defensive backs.  (You may use cones or simply have the player follow the ball in the coach’s hand.)

– Player is about 5-8 feet away facing the softball coach.
– On “go” the player takes her first step back and runs to the cone.
– Once the player reaches the cone then she changes direction and at that point in time the coach throws the softball for the player to run and catch.  (note – add a second cone to have players change directions, then catch fly ball after 2nd cone or point is reached.)

This helps the players concentrate on proper foot work while keeping their eye on the ball.

NOTE: without the use of cones or markers, the coach points to the direction with ball in hand that she wants the player to start, then changes direction the ball is thrown.

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Create a circle of the players in center field. Have the players move back expanding the circle so that there are 10 yards or so between every player now making a huge circle.

Begin having the players pass a softball around to the right learning to throw accurately, with reasonable speed so that it can be caught and concentrating on soft hands getting the ball out of the mitt.  As the ball makes its way around the circle with efficiency introduce a second ball at the halfway point.  Switch directions every so often.

The goal of this softball drill is to keep the throwers throwing to the mitt side while the receiver practices getting the ball out of the mitt quickly and delivering to the next person accurately.

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• All players take their position on the softball field.
• One player in the infield is given the ball and they choose where they want to throw the ball.
• The throw must be out of reach of the intended player on purpose making the other position player who should be backing up to get the ball.
• They then overthrow the ball to another position allowing another backup to take place.

This can go on until the softball coach stops the drill. This works well with pitchers in determining where they need to be at all times. Everyone on the field stays alert because they never know when they will be called on to backup a throw.

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Hit a grounder or fly to third who must field the softball and attempt the throw to first. The player will do the same for each infield position (SS, 2nd, P) in quick succession until finally replacing the player at first who, in between each throw attempt from the fielder, must field the throw, tag the bag and get back into position.

This teaches all players fielding from every infield position and the pace keeps them active.  As performance improves, an additional player can be added at second to the rotation to simulate a double-play.

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Have the kids line up on second base.
Put a large trash can lying down on home plate.
Have the kids throw the ball into the trash can from second base.

This helps the kids learn:
1. To make the throw from second to home plate to get a runner out at home.
2. It teaches them down to the plate so the catcher can be on the plate and catch the softball to get the runner out.   It works great with our major league softball girls ages 12-14.

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