Softball Outfield Drills – Simulated Throws

One of the biggest areas that coaches neglect are [tag]softball outfield drills[/tag].   Read below for two great suggestions on this topic from Bill and from Jon.

This is an [tag]outfield drill[/tag] about catching flies as well as charging or blocking balls hit in the gap.This [tag]drill[/tag] has no throwing just similated throws.
Have 1 outfielder out there catching & fielding balls hit to him. Simulate the throw home or to a base.   Have other outfielders lined up every 25 feet or so all the way to the hitter.   Relay the ball home & save the arm but get lots of flies  and grounders.   After 10 balls the fielder sprints home to hitter & becomes the catcher. Everyone else moves up.  

Great drill for [tag]softball[/tag] outfield work.

From Jon…

Something I like to do with my outfielders is give them a numbering scheme.   I use the numbers 7,8,9, but you can use any three numbers you want.  

I always call out three numbers which indicate what each outfielder is to do.   The first number corresponds to the left fielder, the second number the center fielder, and the third the right fielder.   If I call out 7,7,7, then each fielder shifts toward left field.   If I call out 8,8,8, then they stay where they are and if I call out 9,9,9, then they all shift toward right field.  

You can call out any scheme you want, you can have only one shift or all three shift, it is up to you.   I like to do this because it is easier then trying to get there attention and they are prepared for it.