Softball Indoor Drills

Softball drills can help players define, isolate and establish steps to proper running, catching and throwing. Sport-specific drills are useful because they involve "separating or isolating a skill from its usual context [to] best teach...players the full value of the skill and how to improve in executing it," according to Kirk Walker of "Softball Drill Book." Softball doesn't require a lot of space, making it easy to help softball players improve their skills in an indoor setting.

  1. Sprinting

    • Line the team up at home base. If the indoor environment where practice is held does not have field markings, set up mock bases at reasonable distances. The first player up to bat takes a swing at the ball and sprints to first base. The player after her will do the same as the first hitter sprints to second. Each player must reach the next base faster than she reached the one before until she crosses home. To add difficulty to this drill, have players slide into the bases. Create a maximum time allowance from base to base, and tag out each player that does not reach the base in time. This sprinting drill prepares players to field a ball, sprint to a base or tag out an opponent.

    Catching

    • Have the player watch the ball all the way into her glove. Make sure she points her glove up for all catches above the waist, and down for catches made below. For reassurance, players should use their ungloved hand to secure a catch by covering the glove once the ball is caught. The catcher should also bring the glove into her body after the catch to prevent fumbles. Once each player is catching with consistent footwork and glovework, she may move on to an advanced exercise.

      The player stands 30 feet away with her back to the coach. When the coach calls out “now,” he will throw the ball a reasonable distance from the player, who must turn and catch it with proper footwork and glovework. Each player should have 15 catches for two repetitions.

    Throwing

    • Split up the players evenly and make two parallel lines with pairs facing each other. Give a ball to one player of each pair. First, yell out “grip,” and check to see that each player holds the ball with her fingertips. Then, say “step,” and watch that each player leads with her non-dominant foot, keeping the back foot perpendicular to the target. Next, say “prep,” and make sure each player draws her throwing arm back at a 90-degree angle with the glove pointed toward the target. Finally, say “release,” and watch for a rotation in the hips and trunk while the arm whips forward. A catch should be made by the player’s partner, who repeats the cycle.

      As the throws become cleaner, give each instruction faster until it becomes one fluid movement. Repetition will make clean throwing second nature. If players are having a hard time with the trunk rotation, have them kneel on their dominant knees. Throwing from a kneeling position will force each player to throw from her upper body.