Special thanks to Mike for sending this [tag]softball[/tag] [tag]drill[/tag] in. If you’re looking for a fresh [tag]softball training drill[/tag], you should try this out!
From Mike…
Soft toss hitting drill
I think [tag]soft toss[/tag] is a great way to work one on one with your youth hitters focusing on basics and mechanics. However, it can get a little redundant and boring. After a round of standard soft toss we go through it again using two balls. You take two balls in your hand (one on top of the other) and toss them calling out what ball you want them to hit, the top or bottom. This makes the hitter think and react quickly to focus on the right ball improving hand/eye coordination. We also from time to time use colored baseballs or colored wiffle balls. The [tag]hitter[/tag] has to call out the color of the ball as he is hitting it. Even more fun is using colored golf size wiffle ball with a Thunder Stick bat…not much room for error!
One last small drill…Using badminton birdies. Throw the birdies using full motion to the [tag]batter[/tag] from a short distance, the birdie will immediately slow down but not before your hitter has naturally started to stride or begun his hitting process. The deceleration of the birdies will simulate an off speed or change up and help the hitter to keep his hands back and not over committing.
As you know keeping the attention of youth players is not always easy to do, but I have found that by adding some [tag]fun drills[/tag] to a [tag]practice[/tag] will keep them interested and enthusiastic about learning.