Free Coaching Tips for Girls' Softball

Softball first came into being when some Yale and Harvard alumni gathered and manufactured a game out of a broom handle and a rolled up boxing glove in 1887. Softball is featured all over the world and it is often the female counterpart to men's baseball in many athletic programs. If you are coaching girls softball there are many skills you can teach your team to improve their chances of winning.

  1. Fielding Grounders

    • Fielding a grounder correctly in softball is all about correct technique. At the start of a grounder, a player should spread her feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart with her left foot forward. As the ball is coming, the player should square her shoulders parallel with the ball, bend at the knees and straighten her back. Before the ball comes, the player should place her glove open on the ground with her other hand ready to prevent the ball from popping out. The player should not move to throw at all until the ball has been cleanly fielded. Practice this over and over again in drills as ground balls are quite frequent in softball.

    Karioca Drill

    • Outfielders do not always get a lot of practice in game situations as some games tend to be ground ball heavy. As a result, you must work extra hard to make sure they are prepared when a ball does finally come their way. The carioca drill helps players to make a catch while they are in motion. Have all your fielders stand in a straight line. The first player in line should be on her feet, ready to move. Point one direction to cue your player to run three or four steps in that direction. Point the other direction to have the player run the other way. Lastly, hit a softball in the original direction so the player has to run back to catch it over her side shoulder. Practice this drill in both directions.

    How to Swing

    • Some softball players never quite learn how to swing properly and develop bad habits over time. Try to deconstruct your players' swings to determine if there are areas for improvement. When players plant their front heel they should not lock their front leg, they should keep it slightly bent. Players can straighten their leg only after their hips have rotated through the swing. Some players let their head drift as they swing instead of keeping it stationary and letting the body do the work. It is worth taking the time to instruct your players on the proper swing though it may be slightly boring for some of your participants.

    The Slap

    • In fast pitch softball, sometimes the ball is coming so quickly it is best to use a special strategy called slapping to get contact on the ball. The first step of slapping is for the batter to bring her back foot in front of the front foot in a karaoke position. The batter chokes up on the bat one to three inches and swings through. The strategy is often used by a left-handed batter because this helps her to run to first base right away. A speedy pitcher who is tough to hit is a perfect candidate to use the slap on.