Fastpitch Softball Defensive Drills

Softballs are larger than baseballs and are typically pitched at slower velocities. These factors facilitate a lot of contact at the plate and more balls are put into play. Because of this, defensive players must be prepared to field the ball efficiently to hold the offensive team at bay. Defensive demands are position-specific and competitive players are wise to focus much of their practice time on position-specific defensive drills. However, young players should be taught defensive fundamentals at all positions.

  1. Paddle Drill

    • The paddle drill is an infield drill that helps players develop soft hands and get them into the proper position to field ground balls effectively. Pair off your infielders, and have one player strap two ping pong paddles onto the inside of his hands by wrapping a piece of tape around the neck of the paddle and his wrist. Instruct his partner to stand 10 to 12 feet from him, and roll him ground balls. The player wearing the paddles should field the ground ball by extending his hands to the ball and absorbing the ball's momentum by cradling it into the body.

    Pepper Drill

    • Line all of your players up in a single-file line at third base, with the exception of a first baseman and a catcher. Hit a hard grounder to the first person in the line and instruct her to field the ball and throw it to first base. As soon as she releases the ball, hit the same person a fly ball and have her catch it and throw it to the catcher at home plate. As soon as she releases the throw home, hit her another grounder and have her to throw it to first once again. This is a good drill to increase foot speed and reaction time.

    Backup Drill

    • Organize your outfielders into two groups. Put one group in either left or right field, and put the other group in center field. Hit a ball between the two players (one from each group) and instruct one of them to field the ball and the other to back him up. This is a good drill for developing communication among fielders, and if the drill is carried out with pace it should provide for plenty of opportunity to practice fielding fly balls and outfield grounders.

    Outfield Drill

    • Divide your outfielders into three groups and put one group in left field, one in center field and one in right field. Have the third baseman, shortstop, second baseman and a catcher stand at their posts in the infield. Have a coach or a facilitator hit balls from home plate (or pitchers mound if this is too far to be effective) out to the outfield. Before a ball is hit, call out instructions as to how to approach or catch the ball (such as "drop-knee block," "over-the-shoulder catch" or "charge and throw to a base"). This is a good drill to teach situational defense; outfielders often have to decide when to risk fielding balls aggressively and when to play it safe and take more time to ensure that balls are fielded effectively.

    Catchers' Drill

    • Put your catcher behind home plate and a pitcher on the mound. Instruct the pitcher to throw the catcher a series of balls in the dirt. To block a ball in the dirt, the catcher should place both knees on the ground, put her glove between her legs and bend at the waist so her chest protector is held at a 60- to 45-degree angle to the ground. Her entire body should be square to the trajectory of the ball, to ensure that balls are blocked in front of her as opposed to the side.