The handling of ground balls is essential to the success of any team. Infield drills will help the team improve it proficiency in this area. These drills, although labeled as infield drills, can be applicable to the entire team.
There are two kinds of drills for infielders. The first set of drills addresses the handling of the ground ball, getting into a good throwing position, and making a good throw. In addition to the drills on this page, you will find more drills that works on this aspect of the game on the softball throwing drills page.
The second set of infield drills speaks to situational positioning of players during the game. Who covers what base, when, for instance, a team is bunting? We will review some basic strategy on the softball practice drills page.
First, let’s talk about the 4 step method of picking up a ground ball. The player is first in the ready position, on her toes ready to charge the ball.
As the ball approaches, the player steps forward with her glove side foot as she picks up the ball with her glove.
As the player brings the ball up to her midsection, she steps with the throwing hand foot.
The player then turns her hips and "points" toward the base she is about to throw to with her glove side arm, stepping forward with her glove side foot, while raising to throw the ball. She is now in position to throw the ball.
The player then makes a throw to the base by throwing the ball at the same time stepping with her throwing arm foot to put her body into the throw.
This can be turned into a drill by lining your team up in two lines and having one line roll ground balls to the other line as the second line players do the 4 steps. After a few minutes, you then change lines on who is rolling the ground ball.
Fielding and Throwing Drills:
Name of Drill: Dual Lines Ground Ball Drill Who: Entire Team Duration: 10 minutes Explanation: In this infield drill, you split your team into two groups, one group goes to second and the other to short. Pick 2 players to stand beside the two coaches (4 in total) to serve as catcher. The coaches hit a ground ball to the first player in the line (1). The player then throws the ball to the first catcher(2). After the catcher catches the ball and hands it to the coach, she then goes to other line (3). The player who just fielded and threw the ball then goes to back up the second catcher with the coach (4). You continue this rotation as you go several rounds through all of the players, each rotating through both lines.
If a player makes a bad throw and the catcher does not catch it, the player takes a lap. If the player catches it, the player goes to be the backup catcher as explained above (of course thanking the catcher for saving her).
The idea is to keep this at a fast pace so that all players are constantly moving. The coach can also mix in pop ups during the drill.
Worked on: Conditioning, handling ground balls, accurate throwing, team work, proper foot work in handling and throwing the ground ball.
Competitive Game: Proceed as above, however, when a bad throw is made that is not caught, the player making the bad throw is out. Continue on until only one player remains.
If you have a few softball drills that you find particularly useful and are willing to share, please enter them below. Your fellow coaches will appreciate your contributions
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