These ideas on [tag]free softball drills[/tag] comes courtesy of two of my readers. I’m including them here for you to try with your teams. Let me know how they work for you.
From Larry…
Toward the end of [tag]practice[/tag] we like to do a [tag]softball[/tag] [tag]drill[/tag] called 21 outs.
We split the team into two teams and play a mock game going through all of the situations that may or will come up during a game. I have learned over the years the more game situation things you can practice the fewer surprises will come up during the real thing.
Split the team up. To keep things moving play 3 outs and clear the bases. The same team will stay up to [tag]bat[/tag] until all 21 outs have been made. At that time switch.
Encourage your players to stretch the limits. Take chances they may not take in a live game. This way they will know what there limits truly are. Good Luck.
From Mark…
Popcorn [tag]Bunt[/tag] Drill
One of the hardest things for young players is to learn to “watch” the ball hit the bat rather than [tag]swinging[/tag] or moving the bat to the ball. We like to start youngsters out with a [tag]soft toss[/tag] involving popcorn seeds. Talk about concentration, it takes considerable effort to watch that kernel in mid-air and follow it to the bat. After a few dozen kernels, the softballs become huge targets that are much easier to follow to the bat.