Fastpitch Softball Hitting Drills: Game Day and Practice Drills
Once you have the hitting mechanics in place, fastpitch softball hitting drills will make those mechanics automatic. If the team is following direction and using the broom stick, these drills will further enhance bat speed and hand and eye coordination.
Again, refer to the video on the rotational swing to see the proper mechanics of the swing so you know exactly what you should be seeing.
Below are a few fastpitch softball hitting drills that can be used during your practice or as a pre-game warm-up. They do not take up a lot of space, but are very effective. For hitting practice in general, there is nothing like live pitching. Make a game out of it, by splitting the team up into three teams, where the infield, outfield and hitters are three different teams. This gives not only your pitcher some live situations, but also your hitters and fielders. There is nothing like a little inter-squad competition to get practice focused. This drill is usually best at the end of the practice.
Now for a few fastpitch softball hitting drills for those tight spaces.
Name of Drill: Soft Toss
Who: Entire Team
Duration: Rotation through the team
Explanation: This is the baseline drill, usually in two person groups. You will need a bucket of softballs, the hitting net, and the player's bat. As one works on her swing, hitting the ball into the net, her teammate under-hands the ball into the hitting zone. After completing the bucket, the players switch places. This is a basic drill that many team use.
Worked on: Perfecting her swing on pitches in various parts of the strike zone, repetition of the swing (performed correctly), warm up for the game.
Variation: Pre-Game Drill: Instead of hitting the ball into the net, line up the soft toss on left field or right field (depending on which baseline your team is occupying) and have the batter hit the ball towards center. Line up the rest of the team in three lines in center field to catch the hit balls. Have everyone bat using this drill prior to the game, with your pitchers and catchers hitting first so they can start their warm-ups after hitting.
Name of Drill:Drop Ball
Who:Entire Team
Duration: Rotation through the team
Explanation: The team can be broken down into pairs. You will need a bucket of softballs, the hitting net, something to stand on (bleachers, ball can, step stool) and the player's bat. The object of this drill is to increase bat speed. The coach or batter's partner stands on the something to stand on, and drops the ball directly over the plate or hitting zone. As the ball is dropped, the batter must hit the ball into the net. Although this sounds like a simple task, the impact of the accelerating speed of the ball due to gravity will likely make the first time a player tries this a little difficult. Persevere, and bat speed will improve.
Worked on: Quick hands to the ball and improved bat speed.
Name of Drill:From Behind Toss
Who:Entire Team
Duration: Rotation through the team
Explanation: The team can be broken down into pairs. You will need a bucket of softballs, the hitting net, and the player's bat. The object of this fastpitch softball hitting drill is to increase reaction time to the pitched ball. The batter's partner kneels behind the hitter and tosses the ball through the strike zone towards the hitting net. The batter can not look back, but as the ball crosses the hitting area, must see the ball, react and hit the ball.
Worked on: Bat speed, peripheral vision, quick hands to the ball.
If you have a few fastpitch softball hitting drills that you find particularly effective for practice or as game warm-ups and are willing to share, please enter them below. Your fellow coaches will appreciate your contributions
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