DRILLS - Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

#1 Drop-Step Drill
Have partner stand about 5 feet in front of you, facing you.  Point to either their right or left and that will designate to which side they will need to drop-step.  After the catch is made, have them throw the ball back and return to the starting position.

#2 Inside/Outside/High/Low (Soft-toss)

Have batter positioned correctly in batter's box.  Before you soft-toss, call out either "High," "Low," "Inside," or "Outside."  This helps the batter think about where the ball will be coming, so they can prepare their swing.

#3 Hitting Drill - 2 Bats on Deck

In a game, when the player is on deck or double deck, have them swing two bats.  This will make their actual swing faster by having the bat feel lighter when it is  their turn to bat.

#4 Quick Toss

The quick toss combines the proper technique of throwing and the quick release of the ball.  However, releasing the ball quickly is not all that is required.  In order for accuracy to come into account, the player must display proper throwing technique.

Catching a Fly Ball

Step 1: Fielding Position/ Stance


Your body should be facing forward towards home plate.  Place your feet at a comfortable distance about shoulder width apart and flex your knees.  Always flex your knees for the ready position for comfort and stability.  This also provides you with a better range of motion rather than remaining in a stiff, upright position.  Next, from anatomical position, flex your elbows about 45 degrees in front of your body; also pronate your forearms so that the palms of your hands are facing the ground. You should appear as if you are waiting to receive a throw.

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Step 2: Drop-Step
The drop step is the factor that determines which way you will run to track the ball. If the ball is hit to your glove side, then that foot will step back creating a path to track the ball.  If the ball is hit to your bare-handed side, then that foot will step back to create a path to track the ball.  If the ball is hit directly over your head, drop to whichever side you feel more comfortable in order to track the ball.

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Step 3: Tracking the Ball
Depending on where the ball is hit and to which side you will drop-step, this is how you track the ball.  If the ball is hit to your left, you run to your left.  If the ball is hit to your right, you run to the right.  If the ball is hit shallow and in front of you, charge in as fast as you can to get to it.  It is important not to overrun the ball, meaning to run too fast and pass the ball.  Also, when running, DO NOT run with your glove up in the air to chase the ball.  Run in the frontal plane along the anteroposterior axis with your arms pumping quickly with your eye on the ball.

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Step 4: Catching with One Hand
Most catches are done only using the glove hand.  This provides more range of motion for your arm.  The key is to extend your arm in the direction of the ball.  Also, make sure you do not try to use your bare hand to cover the ball in the glove.  Once again, this can shorten the range of your arm and also, accidentally the ball could hit your hand.

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Step 5: Cradle Ball into Body for Support

After you catch the ball, the final step is very important.  In order to secure the catch, bring the ball into your body to cradle it.  Finally, cradling the ball is the beginning of the motion for quickly throwing the ball back into an infielder to complete the play.

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Swinging a Softball Bat

Step 1: Grip

If you are right-handed dominant, place your left hand on the bottom of the taped grip and your right hand on top of your left hand.  If you are left-handed dominant, place your right hand on the bottom of the taped grip and your left hand on top of your right hand.  Your hands should remain together at all times.  Next, there are two ways to hold the bat.  The first is called the door knocker.  This is where you would line up the knuckles that you would use to, literally, knock on a door.  However, another preferred grip is the box grip.  This is where both sets of knuckles line up creating a flat surface. ** When players "choke-up" on the bat, they are reducing the bat's moment of inertia with respect to the axis of rotation of the player's wrists.

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