Softball Throwing Drills: Teaching Strong and Accurate Throws
The objective of softball throwing drills is to help not only the strength of the throw but also the accuracy. Without both, the runners will be safe and your team will only find itself in deeper trouble.
Name of Drill: Third Base Throw
Who: Primarily Infielders
Duration: 10 minutes
Explanation: The objective of this softball throwing drill is to work on foot speed and throwing accuracy. Place three balls randomly between third base and home plate. Put a player on first to catch the throws. Line up the rest of your players at third base. Have a stop watch to time the player. The first player in line lines up behind the third base bag. On "go", the runs to the first ball, and throws it to first, then returns to her original position(1). Without stopping, she repeats the same exercise running to the second (2) and third balls(3) and throwing them to first, each time returning to her original position. After throwing the third ball, when she returns to her original position stop the stop watch. Record her time for future reference.
Upon completing the drill, the throwing player then goes to first base and the player on first goes to the back of the line.
Worked on: Conditioning, accurate throwing, team work, proper foot work in handling and throwing the ball.
Competitive Game: Proceed as above, however, when a bad throw is made, penalize the thrower 5 seconds for each bad throw made. Run each player through the cycle a few times. The best time wins.
Name of Drill: Round the Horn
Who:Primarily Infielders, but for the game, Entire Team
Duration: 20 minutes
Explanation: The objective of this softball throwing drill is to work on throwing accuracy. The drill starts with the coach hitting the ball somewhere in the infield. The infielder fields the ball and throws it to first (1). The first baseman throws it to third (2). The third baseman throws it to home (3).The catcher throws it to the second baseman on second base (4). The second baseman throws it to home where the pitcher catches it (5). The pitcher throws it to second base where the shortstop catches it (6). The shortstop throws it to home where the catcher catches it (7).
In order to complete this drill correctly, every player must make an accurate throw.
Worked on: Conditioning, accurate throwing, team work, proper foot work in handling and throwing the ball.
Competitive Game: Split the team into two teams of six. Have one of the teams play the infield. The other team will be "at bat". The batting team will have one of her teammates soft toss her the ball. The batting team must keep the ball in the infield. If it is hit into the outfield, it is an out. The object of the game is for the batter to run around the bases and return home before the fielding team completes all of its throws. If the batter does this, her team scores a run. If the fielding team completes its throws before the batter touches home plate, then the batter is out. Bunting is allowed. Each team gets three outs for the half inning to be over.
This is a great end of practice game.
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
Have a Great Softball Drill?
Do you have a softball drill that you find to be simple to use but very effective? Share it!
