Softball Tips & Drills

The world of fast pitch softball is a competitive place. Teaching girls proper techniques for hitting, running and catching is sometimes difficult without the use of drills. Drills can accomplish both teaching a skill and practicing it in a short period of time so that the new skill can be incorporated into game play quickly.

  1. Base Running

    • Base running is an important skill. As natural as it is for a child to run, there are techniques they can learn to help them run faster and to reach the bases in the shortest amount of time. Good base running skills can be a great help to runners who aren't particularly fast. One easy drill to use is the first base drill, which teaches the player to watch for instruction from the first base coach while running to first. In this drill, have the player take a swing and run to first, while looking at the first base coach within the first three or four steps. If the coach's arms are up, the base runner should proceed to second; if they are down, the runner should stay at first.

    Fielding

    • Fielding is an extremely important skill for all players. There are numerous fielding drills designed to make better catchers and fielders out of both infielders and outfielders. An easy fielding drill to run is to line each of the players up in a single-file line between first and second, except for the first baseman. The coach will hit a line drive at the girl in front, who will charge the ball, field it and then throw it to the first baseman. The same girl will then field a line drive that she much stretch for and make the same play. Lastly, the girl will catch a pop fly and throw the out at first. This drill can be practiced from many positions on the field.

    Specialized Drills

    • Drills that focus on particular units of the field are also important. This teaches the art of working together and backing each other up. This is particularly useful in working with shortstop, second base and the outfielders. A simple drill is to set up these positions as if they were in a game. Hitting the ball toward shortstop, the shortstop should field while the second baseman should be on base and the outfielders should be behind, backing her up. Hitting the ball toward the second baseman position, the shortstop should take second base responsibilities while the second baseman fields the ball. Both second base and shortstop should be defending the base if the ball is hit into the outfield.
      It is important to show the team how each of these skills is put into actual game play. Many girls will master the drill but will be unable to use the skill in game play unless instructed on how to execute the skill.