Fast Pitch Coaching Tips – Speed Drills

Fast pitch coaching tips used to be a big weakness in my repertoire. But I was able to turn it around by using this idea sent in by Len.

Drill: Infielders
Goal: to work on speed, accuracy of throws, base running equipment

Needed: full bucket of balls, at least 20 or more.

Set up 5 balls randomly arranged , in and down the 3rd base line. Spread the balls about 2 to 3 feet apart and using no more than 10 feet in length. Example, start at the base, drop 1 ball, go about 1 foot, place another ball on the ground, drop a 3rd ball, 1 foot to the left of the 2nd ball, the 4th ball is dropped about 1 foot in front of the 3rd ball. The last ball is placed to the right of the 4th ball, down the 3rd base line.

Have a group of softball players start at home and one player will run from home to 2nd while the infielder is fielding & throwing the placed balls to 1st base. Object is to field all 5 balls, throw accurately to 1st base before the runnner gets to 2nd base. Keep score so that each group performs under pressure. Coach determines what to do with the winning group, runners or fielders. An errant throw to 1st counts as a miss. Fielder must throw all 5 balls to 1st without an error to get 1 point. If the runner reaches 2nd base before the 5 throws are made, they get 1 point.

Fill/flop groups so that the fielders become runners and runners become the fielders throwing to 1st base. After 2 rounds the groups will become very competitive which is good.

Fastpitch softball is about quick, accurate plays. You also get to practice running the bases correctly without the players realizing it. It is a fun drill if presented to the players correctly.

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