Softball Fielding Drills

Softball drills can improve fielders' skills, hand-eye coordination, decision making and confidence. One benefit of drills is that players can learn a new skill and master it in a relatively short time. Drills can also help softball players maintain proper conditioning so that they have less chance of injury. Some softball fielding drills can be performed individually, while others require an entire team.

  1. Decision Drill

    • This drill helps softball players make fast decisions in the field. That's important because as soon as the ball is coming toward a player, he has to have a plan as to what he will do with it when he catches it. All fielders should be in place, except for the pitcher. Runners can be at various bases--first and third, second and first, or another combination. The coach stands at home plate and hits the ball to different players. The player has to quickly decide which play is best.

    Cutoff Drill

    • This drill teaches the team what to do when the ball is hit deeply into the outfield. The coach hits to the gaps in the outfield so that the players have to run to the ball. If the ball is hit toward right field, the second baseman should practice running out into the outfield to shorten the distance the outfielder has to throw. Then, the second baseman should spin around and make the best play. When the ball is hit deeply toward left field, the shortstop should run into the field and be the "cutoff man."

    Bunt Drill

    • In fast-pitch softball, bunting is a technique used to get players on base. Fielding a bunt is important because when done properly, a player can throw out the runner. Have each player field a bunt on the run, turning quickly to throw out a runner. Each infielder should field three balls, throwing one to first, another to second and the final one to third.