Purpose: Teach the second baseman the footwork needed for turning a double play when the ball is hit deep in the hole to the shortstop. Coaching softball entails teaching everything there is to know on the field and it is important to take time to practice learned skill.
Procedure: this drill is located in the infield around second base. prepare a crate of softballs, a base. Coach hits the ball in the hole between the shortstop and second base using a fungo bat. The shortstop should move to field the batted ball and make the throw to second base . The second baseman should move to cover second base, timing her arrival at second base so that she gets to the base at the same moment the ball arrives on the throw from the shortstop. The second baseman should turn the double play using the proper sequence of the footwork. Her left foot touches the bag, her right foot steps backward in the dirt, her left foot is on the dirt on the rightfield side of second base. The second baseman should hold her hands open at chest level, forming an angle with his palms facing the ball and his fingers pointing to the sky. The second baseman should receive the throw at the back point of the base. After receiving the throw from the shortstop, the second baseman should then simulate the throw to first base and hop over an imaginary player who is sliding to second base.

The second baseman should exhibit "happv feet" (i.e., feet continually moving in place in a short choppy manner), as she receives the throw and completes the double play. When the balI hits his glove, the second baseman should use the middle finger of her glove hand to push the ball out of her glove. This step results in the ball quickly popping out to the throwing hand. The second baseman's throwing hand should always be held in a position to catch the ball once it is forced out of the glove. When completing the footwork of the double play the second baseman should point her left foot toward first to set open her hips.

Purpose: If a hitter expects to execute a game, one needs to practice those plays beforehand. It's very important to practice different game situations because it's easier for players to recall and execute a play when done during practice. These are good coaching softball tips for fall

Procedure: You will be needed a Pitching machine, batting cage, bats, balls and helmets. Simulate the many offensive strategies while batting against a pitching machine. Each discipline may call for a different batting grip, body alignment, position in the batter's box, and strength of swing. Use the following strategy. Progress in numerical order.

Sacrifice Bunt: Bunt a strike away from the pitcher,

Drag Sunt: Bunt a strike close to the foul line.

Squeeze Bunt: Bunt any pitch on the ground.

Hit-and-Run: Swing down at any pitch, and hit it on the ground.

Move the Runner to next base: Hit a strike to the right side.

Sacrifice Fly: Loft a ball to the outfield.

Line Drive: Rip a strike up the middle.

Try this game (older players) with a verbal command (particular play) just as the ball is pitched shout out from between the pitching machine wheels. The batter must be quiet and decisive just as in a regular game. If a batter is unsuccessful in executing a play, the next person hits. You can also perform "Name That Play against a live pitcher. With hitting groups in the cage, have three stations; 1) live batting with the above scenario, 2) deciphering offensive signals from a coach (say what was called), and 3) standing in against a pitcher throwing on the side (no swinging).

Purpose: To provide an alternative to using a hardball for some drills. Modifying equipment can help in coaching youth softball to build confidence.

Procedure: Prepare a box of rags, rolls of masking tape. Distribute the rags among the players, keeping one rag to use for demonstration, Tie a large knot in tie center of the rag. Wrap or crumple tie loose ends around the center knot to give the rag ball shape. Wrap the masking tape around the rag. Make sure to cover all exposed parts of the rag. This ball can be used over and over again and is a great alternative to spending large amounts of money on equipment. The masking tape should not be applied too tight. If it's too tight the rag ball will have too much bounce. Coaches can use these rag balls in many drills, including the Racquetball Drill and the Toss Drill Over the course of the season, the rag ball will get worn out. Instead of throwing it out, simply apply more layers of tape on top of the existing layers. Some coaches may want to use old newspaper as an allernative to rags. This works well however, additional masking tape is necessary to give the ball its needed weight.

Purpose: To play an actual game with only 12 players. Having scrimmages is a good way to practice when tournament is about to start, this is a good softball coaching tip

Procedure: Preapre a regular playing field, balls, bats, gloves Divide players into three teams of four players. Each tearn has at least one pitcher and catcher.One team is at bat. The other two take the field. Only two players play the outfield. One of the coaches can play an outfield position. Play a normal game. After the first team makes three outs, the next team is up. After they make three outs, the final team is up. Simulating real game situations is the best way to prepare for competition, the 444 game is a great way to do so. One coach calls balls and strikes behind the pitcher. Each team should have a catcher. If not, stealing might have to be suspended, To keep the game moving at a fast pace, limit each team to one time through its lineup four at-bats. To familiarize players with starting behind the count, start each player off with two strikes (0-2). This game is a great opportunity to try players at different positions.

Purpose: To practice calling off another fielder on a fly ball. Communication is a good softball fielding tip to follow to increase "outs"and lessen injuries.

Procedure: Have bucket of balls and gloves for this drill. Place two lines of three players in the outfield, one line in right center and the other in left center, 20 to 30 feet from each other. Divide the rest of the team into two lines 10 to 15 feet from each other in the infield: one at second base and the other at shortstop position. One coach stands five feet behind second base facing the outfield. Another coach stands five feet behind home plate facing the infield. Each coach tells the first two in each of his line to step up. The coach throws the ball between the two fielders, and the player who is the closest to the ball must scream three times, "I got it" or "Mine." After catching the ball, the player throws it back to the coach. After each player has had a turn, the infield lines and out field lines should switch with one another.

This drill includes a lot of player movement and noise (communication) , distractions that players must leam to play with. When two players go after a fly ball, a hierarchy determines which position can call off the other. At the youth level, this must be simplified. Differenl methods work for different teams. Coaches should make sure that when fielders are finished, they run all the way to the outside of the drill area. The player who is closest to the ball usually has priority.

Purpose: To practice calling off another fielder on a fly ball. Communication is a good softball fielding tip to follow to increase "outs"and lessen injuries.

Procedure: Have bucket of balls and gloves for this drill. Place two lines of three players in the outfield, one line in right center and the other in left center, 20 to 30 feet from each other. Divide the rest of the team into two lines 10 to 15 feet from each other in the infield: one at second base and the other at shortstop position. One coach stands five feet behind second base facing the outfield. Another coach stands five feet behind home plate facing the infield. Each coach tells the first two in each of his line to step up. The coach throws the ball between the two fielders, and the player who is the closest to the ball must scream three times, "I got it" or "Mine." After catching the ball, the player throws it back to the coach. After each player has had a turn, the infield lines and out field lines should switch with one another.

This drill includes a lot of player movement and noise (communication) , distractions that players must leam to play with. When two players go after a fly ball, a hierarchy determines which position can call off the other. At the youth level, this must be simplified. Differenl methods work for different teams. Coaches should make sure that when fielders are finished, they run all the way to the outside of the drill area. The player who is closest to the ball usually has priority.

Purpose: To develop the correct pitching form, with emphasis on a good follow through. Incorporate varied softball pitching drills to help improve performance.

Procedure: A bucket of softball is placed with the pitcher on the pitcher's plate behind the rubber on the second-base side of Ihe diamond. Standing at the edge of the dirt, the pitcher throws either to a catcher or to a screen at home plate. Throwing further forces the pitcher to isolate the follow through portion of the pitch and concentrate on it more than when pitching off behind second. The pitcher should take a bigger stride toward home to shorten the distance to the catcher or screen to 40 to 45 feet if the pitcher has trouble throwing from tiis location to home plate. Because throwing strikes is not a priority in this drill, pitchers should throw into a large screen rather than aiming for a target. Because it is difficult to throw behind, this drill forces pitchers to stride or jump more. When following through, the pitcher's throwing hand should finish at the side of the throwing side.

Purpose: To develop defensive strategies against a runner on third trying to score on a bunt. Practicing bunt situations with man on third is a good softball defense drill.

Procedure: You will need one softball, a bat, and gloves. The pitcher throws the softball, and the batter bunts toward third. The third baseman fields the ball. The base runner anticipates the throw to first and begins to run home. The third baseman fields the ball pivots and immediately throws it to the shortstop covering third base. The shortstop applies the tag to the base runner who is trying to scramble back to third. Timing in this drill is important. As the base runner bounces off the base, the shortstop sneaks over to cover third. To remind the shortstop to cover third, the coach yells out a signal, such as, "Green," as the third baseman charges to field the bunt. Upon hearing the coach yell, "Green," the third baseman quickly turns and throws to the shortstop covering third base, The left fielder backs up the shortstop in case the ball is overthrown. If the player backs up correctly, a run can be saved.

Purpose: To develop bunting techniques. Emphasizing the bunt during practices is always a part of softball coaching.

Procedure: One broom handle, a bucket of rag balls or tennis balls A player stands in the batters box and the coach stands approximately halfway between the pitcher's mound and home plate.The coach throws or tosses a rag ball underhand to the batter.The batter squares around and bunts the ball.

Bunting is a difficult, yet crucial, skill to master and is an important strategy in almost every level of youth softball. Emphasize that it is not necessary to bunt the rag ball to a particular side of the infield but that making contact with the broom handle is most important. Timing is important when bunting. In this drill, the objective for the batter is to make contact with the ball therefore, the batter can start in the bunting position. To keep more players actively involved, perform this drill with two or three players. A broom handle is much narrower then a bat, which makes hitting the ball more challenging. When bunting, the batter should not push the bat (or broom handle) into the ball but instead let the ball meet the bat. Batters can imagine that there is a pane of glass right In front at the bat, and if they push the bat forward to bunt the ball they will break the glass. The bat (or broom handle) should be level when in the bunting position. However the fat end of the bat can be tilted up at a slight angle. If the fat end of the bat is lower than the rest of the bat the ball will pop up.

Purpose: In Vamos (Spanish for "let's go") the challenge is to run in the correct direction, not necessarily home to first. To get your player's attention you sometimes must have fun drills when coaching softball.

Procedure: Drill will need bases. Make different baserunning rules for an actual practice game or specific inning. First inning: run the bases in reverse. Second inning: second base becomes first, third becomes second, and first becomes third. Third innning: when the ball is hit to the right side of the field (or infield), the player should initially run to third base and proceed around the bases in reverse. If another batter hits the ball to the left side, then the player funs to first base. If multiple players are on the base paths they must determine the correct direction in which to run, based upon where the ball is hit. then reverse this trend the next inning. Stipulate that "running in the wrong direction" (for that particular play) results in an out for the offensive team. Fourth inning: refer back to the rules of the first inning. Keep home plate as the final destination in each phase.