softballdrills

Purpose: Teach toddlers about positioning, backing up, and some basic rules of the game.

Procedure: This drill is for the age group of 6-8 equipment required is Bases and Soccer ball. Make a softball hitting and fielding team. Draw a three-foot square in the dirt around home plate. A strike is a ball which rolls over this area, and a ball is for anything outside. Have the pitcher roll the ball to the batter at moderate speed. After a fair ball kick, the batter runs to first base. No leading or base stealing. You can also try kicking a stationary ball.

Purpose: To improve the softball pitching windup.

Procedure:  All the pitchers line up next to each other on one of the white lines on the field with about 10 or more feet between each player. On the 'go" command, the players wind up using the white line as the pitching rubber. Their first step back (six to eight inches) should be with the foot opposite the pitching arm. The players pivot toward the side (the non throwing shoulder should face home) and then lift the front leg. The players then drop forward using the lower torso to generate hip rotation. The players repeat this motion several times very slowly In the middle of the windup, when the opposite leg is lifted, pitchers can freeze and try to maintain a balanced position for several seconds.

Purpose:This is a competitive Softball Pitching Drill.

Procedure:Protective screen or soft toss net, tee, and regulation balls. Ruks: Set up a screen or net just behind home plate. Place a tee, with a ball on top of it, on the plate. Pitchers throw from the rubber. For indoors, use a portable mound and measure off the proper pitching distance according to the age level. Three pitches per person. An instructor should record the points (see below). Declare a winner per station, age group, or up to 25 points, for example. Assign a set pitching order. Attempt to maintain equal rounds of throwing. The on-deck person should be the hall feeder. Pickup the halls as a group. Older players can alternate between the four- and two-seam fastballs as well at the stretch and wind-up.

Scoring includes:
3 points: Pitch which hits the ball off of the tee.
2 points: Pitch which hits the tee (pole only).
1 point: Pitch which hits the screen.

Purpose:Pitchers strive to add movement to their pitches and variety to their softball pitching repertoire.

Procedure:Pitchers should play catch with another pitcher as part of the daily warm-up. Pitchers throw from the mound with the goal of adding late movement to each pitch—either in and out or down (way from the batter's hands). To add movement to
the pitch use different Grips (fingers on or off the seams), vary ball placement in the hand (e.g. choke it for a changeup), and use different pressure points on the ball, applying more pressure for increased movement and less for more velocity. Changing speeds with breaking pitches (changeup, curve or slider) can throw off a hitters timing, especially his/her stride. Pitchers can focus on developing their aptitude for the essential skills of pitch selection and focus, control (strikes) and command (location), movement and changing speeds, velocity, and getting people out These skills can be developed in a variety of ways. Experiment each day with a different grip, ball placement, or pressure point. Keep the same arm speed but use a different arm angle. Try for movement with a different pitch on each throw. Ask hitters for feedback. See what the other pitchers on your team are doing. Work with the coaches. Always maintain proper mechanics, balance, and follow through when performing any type of softball pitching drill. And remember that the most important pitch is Strike 1!

Purpose: To receive the ball with the bat,softball hitting.

Procedure: Place your glove on the end of the bat. As with the bunting stick, attempt to receive the ball in the glove. Rock back To catch the softball.Check for proper grip. Stress the proper mechanics throughout the bunting drill, bunt strikes only. Balls should be thrown at half distance or game-like velocity.

Purpose: To receive the ball with the bat.

Procedure:Cut off the last eight inches of the top or barrel of a wooden bar and attach a lacrosse stick pocket to the end. Or use a lacrosse stick for the <a href=http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-drills/category/bunting/>Bunting Drill</a>, making sure it's not too long Try to catch the ball in the netting. Rock back to receive the ball.Check for proper grip. Stress the proper mechanics throughout the drill. Bunt strikes only. Balls should be thrown at half distance or game-like velocity.

Purpose: To develop the softball throwing and strength to make the throw from third base to first base

Procedure:Equipment required is four softballs, gloves, time taken 6 to 10 minutes. Divide the players into three groups and station them at home plate, third base, and first base. Each player should have a glove. Each group forms a line behind its base. The first person in the line is the first to field the ball. The players behind the fielders are backups. The coach hits a ground ball to the first person in line at third base. The fielder at third base throws it to the fielder at first base. The fielder at first base throws it to the fielder at home plate. After the first person at third base fields the ball and throws to first base, he moves to the end of the line and becomes a backup as the second person in line rotates forward and becomes the fielder. This rotation occurs at each base. After each player goes through the line two or three times, the coach yells "Rotate." Each group moves clockwise to the next base; the third-base fielders move to first base, and the first-base fielders move to home plate. This is a good softball warm up drill to use at the beginning of practice. It emphasizes throwing to first base from third base, which is one of the longest and most difficult throws for  youth softball players.