Youth Softball Drills

The following softball drills are all recommended for children. They are a great way of getting kids to become better athletes and better softball players.

Drill 1 - Independent Runner (Baserunning)

Purpose: To allow the players to experience game-like baserunning situations at three different bases.

Procedure: All defensive positions are filled. There are base runners at home, first, and third. A coach is at home plate with a ball and the pitcher is on the mound with a ball. The pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher, the runners get their jumps, and when the ball hits the strike zone the assistant coach fungo hits her ball into the field of the play. The runners track the batted ball and react accordingly. The defense can be instructed to play on any one of the runners. Each runner plays as if she is the only runner on the field.

Drill 2 - Move the Runner (Softball Bunting)

Purpose: To emphasize offensive play execution to move the runner.

Procedure: The game is played with a live pitcher on a pitching machine. A full defense is in place. The players are partnered weaker with stronger. One partner starts on first base and the other is at the plate. The object of the game is to score your partner in less than three outs. The hitter can employ any strategy or play to move her partner. The hitter does not run out of the play.

Drill 3 - Balls in the Dirt (Softball Catchers)

Purpose: To teach the catcher how to move to block pitched balls in the dirt.

Procedure: A simulated batter is in the batter's box and a helper simulates a pitched ball to the catcher's left and right.

Drill 4 - Running Lap Tosses (Softball Throwing)

Purpose: To develop catching and throwing skills while conditioning. This drill makes efficient use of time.

Procedure: Partners are about six feet apart and play catch as they run using underhand tosses. They can run a full lap or in a straight line down the field and back. The drill develops players' catching and throwing skills and takes their minds off running.

Drill 5 - Partner Scoops (Softball Catching)

Purpose: To focus on hand action for scooping ground balls.

Procedure: Partners take positions six feet apart and roll a ball back and forth, keeping their feet still and fielding with scooping action. Players reach for the ball sooner than when gathering. They should use the top hand as a jaw to trap the ball. You may want to do this drill on grass so that loose infield dirt does not flip into your players' faces.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog

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