Softball Outfielder Drills

Softball practice for outfielders requires constant drilling so the players will know what to do during a game. Teach the outfielders how to successfully communicate with the infielders in different situations. Work on throwing technique and decision making skills during practice, which will often be the keys to preventing a runner from scoring.

  1. Fly Ball Drill

    • Correctly judging the trajectory of a fly ball is one of the most important skills an outfielder must possess. Have all of the outfielders gather in a group and instruct them to alternate catching the ball. Grab a bag full of balls and a bat and stand approximately 100 feet from the players. Vary the distance and height of the hits and focus on each player's catching technique. Make corrections when necessary, and have the more experienced outfielders chime in with their opinion to help the younger players. Repeat the drill until all of the outfielders catch at least five fly balls.

    Playing the Wall

    • Learning how to properly play a ball that caroms off the wall is another useful softball skills training drill for outfielders. Take a bag of balls and a bat and stand about 50 feet from the wall. Tell the first outfielder to set up 20 feet from the wall. Hit the ball over the player's head and try to hit the wall on the fly. Once there is a direct hit, have the outfielder stay back roughly 10 feet from the wall to play the carom. Only practice will teach an outfielder to know when to stop short and play the bounce, or when to try and make a leaping catch at the wall. Work the drill until each outfielder successfully judges five caroms.

    Hitting the Cut Off Man

    • Throwing the ball back into the infield and hitting the proper cutoff man may prevent a runner from scoring. Have the left fielder work with the third baseman, the center fielder work with the shortstop and the right fielder work with the second baseman. Instruct each outfielder to cleanly field the ball, locate the cutoff man and throw the ball with as little arc as possible. Stand on the backside of the pitcher's mound and hit a ball to each outfielder in succession. Observe how each player fields the ball and hits the cutoff man. Hit 10 to 20 balls to the outfielders and make any necessary throwing technique adjustments.

    Throwing Drill

    • Basic softball tips for throwing include follow through and using the proper arc. Have the outfielders take their positions and get in the proper stance. Hit a variety of line drives, fly balls and grounders to each player. Once the outfielder catches the ball, yell out where to throw the ball. For example, have the right fielder catch the ball and throw it to the second baseman on one rotation, then throw it to the third baseman the next time. Repeat the drill with the outfielders until each consistently uses the proper throwing form.