Purpose: To develop the technique and confidence to catch a ball near stationary objects such as a dugout or fence. Preparing for all possible scenario is a coaching fielding tip one should remember.

Purpose: To improve the infielder's ability to catch a softball that is hit hard into the ground and is bouncing slowly toward him. It is important to have fielders practice fielding ground balls, this is a good softball fielding tips for beginners

Purpose: Pitchers aim to catch balls hit during batting practice and then throw the ball in a bucket. This activity gives the pitchers something productive and competitive to do during on-field Batting Practice. Teaching the pitcher to field a ball properly is a good Softball Fielding Tip.

Purpose: Learn a series of fundamental drills to practice over and over. These softball fielding tips must be done over to develop a habit.

Procedure: You will need the following equipment tennis balls and gloves,regulation balls for older players. Explain and demonstrate each of the disciplines. Work in groups of two. Start off bare-handed. Then add in gloves and infielder

paddles if applicable. Include the following:

1. Glove Work: Roll balk to each other in the crouched stance with an open glove.

2. Grounders Straight On: Same as above except start standing up.

3. Circle: Same as above except circle balls to the left and right.

4. Forehand: Charge to the glove side, field the ball, and swing the back leg over (as if facing first base).

Purpose: Learn series of fundamental drills to practice over and over. These are good outfield softball fielding tips.

Procedure: Equipment needed are softballs and gloves. Coach has a bat and a bucket of balls with him. Have 3 groups at the outfield One group at left,center and right field area and two players on each base. Coach will bat the ball towards the groups in the outfield and the player must follow the instructions given on where to throw back:

1. Drop Knee: Crouch down and block the ball (hard hit ground ball with no one on base). Throw to 2nd base

2. Grounders: Receive the ball out front and pivot to throw. RF throw 1st, LF and CF throw 2nd

Purpose: To develop defensive tactics for making the force-out at home plate with two outs and the bases loaded. This is the kind of drill that helps players think and decide differently on the field giving some mental training as well.

Procedure: Equipment needed would be one softball, a bat and gloves. Set up a complete infield, including the pitcher and 3 catchers, and place runners at each base, including home plate. The coach stands in the batter's box and hits a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The player on home runs out of the batter's box toward first base.

Where and how the pitcher fields the ball determines whether she should make the force -out at home or not.

Purpose: To develop confidence and comfort when diving for balls. It is important that the outfield practice on this more.

Procedure: The first player in line starts on her knees. The coach will bounce the ball slightly to her. She will dive to stop or catch the ball, and try to get to her feet and throw the ball back to the coach. After four or five attempts, the next player takes a turn. Once each player is done catching to her left (glove side), switch it up and throw to the other side.

Players will only get comfortable when they try an activity. By making them dive in a controlled environment, they are more apt and ready for such a play during the game. Getting started on the drill will help eliminate the fear of injury. Teach feet to get to the throwing position.

Purpose: To develop an infelder's hand-eye coordination. Starting with the basics is an important softball fielding tip to follow.

Procedure: Use softballs and foam paddles. Have two players face each other a short distance apart. One player throws the ball in such a manner as to make the ball hop, simulating a ground ball hit to the infielder. The right-handed infielder assumes the ready position and awaits the throw, keeping his left foot slightly in front of the right. The ball is tossed directly toward the infielder who is holding a foam paddle in each hand. The infielder should use the funnel technique on regular ground balls and the push-through technique on short hop ground bails. The funnel technique involves the infielder cushioning the impact of the ball as it hits the hands. The push-through technique involves the infielder catering the ball by pushing his glove forward through the ball as he points the fingers downward.

Purpose: This relay race includes the cutoff play into a running game. When coaching softball make sure to teach the cut-off person to do relays properly

Procedure: You will need cones, balls, and fielding gloves. Make equal teams. Place 1 cone and ball directly in front of each group (normal cutoff distance for age group). Teams should stand behind their own cone. At the starting signal, the first person in line runs to the cone. The next person in line throws the ball to his/her partner in cutoff fashion. Fielders should yell, "Hit me!" with their arms up. On a successful catch the receiver then runs with the ball back to his or her team, and puts the ball back at the front of the line. The two partners must slap gloves with one person sprinting to the cone and the other returning to the back of the line. The rotation keeps going until every person has thrown the ball at least once.

Purpose: To test and develop a player's reaction time when fielding an oncoming ball. This is a good mental training drill as well.

Procedure: Place four cones in a square with 10 to 15 feet between cones. The coach stands in the center of the square, and the first player stands next to a corner cone facing away from the coach. The coach throws a tennis ball toward the player, then immediately gives the "go" command. On the "go" command, the player turns and reacts to the ball, trying to make the catch. After catching the ball, the player drops it on the ground next to him. The player runs to the next cone, turns toward the coach, who has already thrown a ball in his direction, and tries to react to the tennis ball in the air before making the catch. When the first player has been to all four cones, it is the next player's turn. Players should be ready to catch the ball as they turn around and should calch the ball with both hands. Players should concentrate on making sure they calch the ball before running to the next cone.

Purpose: This game is best suited for toddlers learning how to hit. It's also a great way to prevent them from throwing the bat. It's important to start with a player's softball hitting technique at a young age

Procedure: You will need Tees, bats, balls, helmets, bases, cones, and bicycle tires or hula hoops. Devise two teams. The batter hits off of the tee placed on home plate- If they miss the ball, or if they knock the tee over, it's a strike. Three strikes and you're out. They are also out if they fling the bat after contact. To prevent this, instruct the kids to place the bat on the bicycle tire or hula hoop just behind the plate. After a fair ball, He/she runs to first base.

Purpose: This game emphasizes the hitting of line drives. Always try to improve on your softball hitting techniques

Procedure: Equipment to be used are Home plate, bat, small Nerf ball or Rag Ball, and cones. There are two foul lines encompassing three "cones" (outfield, infield and pitcher). Defensive teams may place as many players as desired (up to 10) into either the infield or outfield zones. Defensive players may field balls only within their zones, and should switch zones each inning. Offensive teams may place any of its players as the pitcher (same team), and may alternate them after each completed At-bat. The pitcher must stay within the "pitcher's zone" the entire At-bat, and may deliver the pitch from anywhere inside that zone.

Purpose: To develop the ability to recognize different pitch locations. This may a good mental training drill as well.

Procedure: The Pitcher will pitch to catcher. Hitter will stand in the batter's box. Watch the ball leave the pitcher's hand. Determine the type of pitch, as well as the location, as quickly as possible. Use one-syllable verbal cues to save time. As the ball approaches, call out the pitch and location. For example, you might say "fast strike" to indicate that the pitch selection was a fastball and the location was in strike zone. Similarly, "drop ball, 1" suggests that the pitch was a drop ball out of the zone. Shout these verbal cues as soon as possible.

Purpose:To improve the hitter's swing and sense of contact with the batting tee. This is one way of improving one's softball hitting technique.

Procedure: You will need a single batting tee, a plate, a bucket of softballs, and a batting cage or a soft toss hitting ares. Have the batter stand in the batter's box so that she stands in front of the plate, the batter should assume a proper batting stance and "measures up". To measure up, the batter reaches out with her bat and touches the opposite side of the plate. The bat hits the ball of a batting tee that is positioned according to what hitting she is attempting to work on. The tee is positioned for an inside pitch by placing in front of the plate and on the inside corner. The tee is positioned for an outside pitch by placing it outside the plate, just off the back corner of the plate. To hit a pitch down the middle, the tee is positioned directly in front of the plate.

Purpose: Mano y Mano, Spanish for "one on one," is a competitive game for the batting cage. This drill improves on your softball hitting technique as well.

Procedure: This drill will need a batting cage, pitching machine and balls, bats, helmets, and pitching screen. This game is best played with 2 to 5 players per cage. Three outs per hitter (use balls and strikes). There are foul balls. One person hits at a time. Use the pitching machine. See how many runs you can score in a seven or nine inning simulated game. Bunting, sacrifice flies, and hit-and-runs must all be verbally called out just before the pitch is released, The on deck batter sets as the umpire (i.e. determining singles versus extra base hits).

Purpose: To end practice on a high note and have fun during softball hitting drills.

Procedure: This drill will need four bases, a bucket of softballs, a fence or some cones. Place three bases (or four depending on the age of the participants) five to eight feet apart from one another in a straight line toward second base. Each base represents home plate. Older players use the base farthest from second as home plate, while younger hitters stand at the base closest to second. Players scatter around the field to field the balls. The coach pitches a predetermined number of balls for shallow center field. If a player hits the ball over the fence, it is a home. The batter gets an extra swing for every home run. If there is no fence, set up a boundary with cones.

Purpose: To hit the ball hard up the middle. To hit line drives. This drill can improve you softball hitting technique

Procedure: Two batting tees are required. Place the first tee slightly in front of home plate by 2 to 4 inches. Line it up with the middle of the plate. The second tee should be placed at least two feet in front of the first tee in a direct line at the same height. Place a ball on both tees. You will assume a ready position. Your partner will provide the verbal hitting commands — stride and pivot. Attempt to hit the ball off the first tee so that it makes contact with the ball on the second tee. The ball on the front tee serves as a target.

Purpose:To develop the hitter's technique in coverage on ths corners of the plate. Covering corners is one softball hitting technique you must practice well.

Procedure: This drill will require two single batting tees, bucket of softballs. A batting cage or a soft toss hitting area. Tee is positioned on the front outside comer of the plate while the second tee is placed on the inside comer, approximately six to eight inches in front of the first tee. A ball is put on each tee. The batter assumes his stance and loads. The coach, or hitting partner, calls out "inside" or "outside" when the batter loads to swing. The batter should then hit the ball off the tee that corresponds to the coach's command.

Purpose:Mold clutch players in practice. This drill may help in Mental Training as well.

Procedure: For this practice you'll be needing bats, balls, helmets, gloves, bases, and pitching screen. When a softball game is tied in extra innings, a base runner is placed on second base to start the inning. Teams have a golden opportunity in which to score, and thus win the game. Here the instructor can design numerous situations in "Win It". First, have a runner at second base with a hitter at the plate. Arrange other players in the field. The hitter has one at-bat to drive the runner home.

Play as if there were:

a. Two outs.

Purpose: This softball hitting drill is to develop the eye-hand coordination necessary to hit a moving target
Procedure: Equipments required are a bucket of softballs, soft-covered balls, or tennis balls, and a net or a tarp. Put a cinder block on the ground 8 to 12 feet in front of a net or a tarp. The batter stands next to the cinder block as if it were home plate. The coach bounces a ball onto the cinder block. The player hits the ball into the net off the bounce. Players rotate in and out of this drill after a predetermined number of hits.

Purpose: Pitchers aim to catch balls hit during batting practice and then throw the ball in a bucket. This activity gives the pitchers something productive and competitive to do during on-field Batting Practice. Teaching the pitcher to field a ball properly is a good Softball Fielding Tip.

Purpose: Use a different pitcher for each inning depending on the length of a game or scrimmage. This will help pitchers focus on the 3 outs during softball pitching.

Procedure: Use equipment used in a game. Use a different pitcher for each inning. This idea can work great for a scrimmage against another team or an early season match-up when the coach wants to get all of his/her pitchers some action. Make sure the next pitcher is preparing on the side for entry in the upcoming inning. It's best to have a coach directing the bullpen, especially when warming up position players. For 7 innings use 7 pitchers. And for 14 continuous innings (e.g. fall college game) use 7 pitchers at 2 innings each. Note, Hitting teams hate facing Staff Day, because they can never get comfortable against a particular pitcher.

Purpose: This is a competitive pitching game. This drill emphasizes on improving your pitcher's Softball Pitching Techniques

Procedure: Set up a protective screen or soft toss net, tee, and softballs. Place the screen or net just behind home plate. Put a tee, with a softball on top of it on the plate. Pitchers throw from the pitcher's plate. For indoors, measure the proper pitching distance according to the age level. Three pitches per round. An instructor should record the *points. Declare a winner per station, age group, or up to 25 points. An example drill is, assign a set pitching order attempt to maintain equal rounds of pitching. The on-deckperson should be the ball feeder. Make sure they pickup the balls as a group.

Purpose: To develop softball catching, softball fielding, and immediate softball throwing skills during a East-ditch effort for the final out at home plate.

Procedure: Equipments required are basket full of softballs, gloves. Position two catchers at home plate in full gear. Divide the rest of the players into the three outfield posi¬tions. The coach stands near the pitcher's mound with a bucket of softballs and simulates a hit by throwing a ball to one of the outfield positions. The first player in line charges the ball, picks it up, and throws it home, all in one fluid notion. The catcher gels into position to catch the ball and tag the runner out. The coach throws to each outfield position in turn. The two catchers rotate after three or four throws.

Purpose: This softball throwing drill is to develop techniques for relaying a softball from the outfield to the infield.

Procedure: Two buckets of softballs, six empty plastic buckets, gloves. Divide the players into two teams, station, one team and a coach in right center, and the otter team and a coach in left center.Each group has a bucket of hardballs. On home plate, stack six empty plastic buckets into a pyramid. Place one player from each team in the infield.The teams alternate turns. The coach throws the ball high behind the outfielder, preferably hitting the outfield fence. The outfielder turns, locates the ball, runs to it, picks it up, turns, and throws it to the infielder. The infielder pivots after the catch, and throws the ball toward the buckets, trying to knock down as many as possible. The outfielder becomes the infielder, and the infielder goes to the end of the line in the outfield.

Purpose: Learn the basic softball pitching grips without telegraphing the pitch to the batter.

Procedure: Equipment that are required are Balls and gloves. This activity is for the age group of 9 and above.Arrange the pitchers in a line. At the signal, have each person grip the ball according to the call (softball four- and two-seam fastballs, change-up, curveball and slider, softball: fastball, curve-ball, change-up, in-shoot, drop and rise). With the glove in front of the face, grip the ball without moving the mitt. The instructor should watch each phase of this activity from behind the group. Then have each pitcher perform this drill with a live toss to a catcher. Note: Little League pitchers, for example, should try and master 2 to 3 pitches.

Purpose: During a softball pitching session, accomplish the many variations. First work on the proper techniques, then loosen the arm up, progress to long toss, and conclude with specialties.

Purpose: To isolate the snap and your grip when practicing advanced pitches for softball pitching.

Procedure: Stand sideways, as if you have already taken your stride, about ten feet from a partner. Throw your pitch without the windup and with just a slight backswing, working on getting most of your power from your wrist snap. Work on all the pitches this way until you feel comfortable with the different releases.

Purpose: To work on softball pitching accuracy and to make it fun for the pitchers.

Procedure: This game can be played with two or more pitchers and a catcher. The object of the game is to throw ten strikes. The first pitcher throws as many balls as it takes to get to ten called strikes. The next pitcher then has to try to beat that number by throwing fewer pitches to get to ten strikes. The catcher is the judge in this drill.

Purpose: To improve the pitcher's ability to react and move laterally in fielding a ground ball and to practice throwing to first base. Defense is very imporant when softball pitching.

Procedure: Pitcher 1 is at the defensive position, while pitcher 2 is behind the pitching area. The catcher and first baseman are at their defensive positions. The head coach is the hitter and is at home plate. Pitcher 1 pitches a ball and as the ball gets to the catcher, the coach hits another ball to the right or left of pitcher 1, who fields the ball and throws it to first base. The pitchers rotate positions, and the drill sequence is repeated. The drill continues for as long as desired.