Hitting is one of the fundamental aspects of softball. All scoring opportunities are created through a team's ability to perform at the plate. Hand-eye coordination is key for a successful hitter to connect well, sending the ball deep into the field. Developing the necessary coordination to hit a moving softball with a thin, metal bat takes time and practice. Drills can improve these skills and make you a better batter.
Windshield Wiper Drill
Select the heaviest out of all available bats -- a weighted bat works best -- and hold it in both hands, pointing the barrel up above you. Keeping your arms and shoulders stationary, use your wrists to lower the direction of the barrel down to your left side until the barrel reaches your waist, then back up to top and to the right side and back to the top. Repeat this two to five times to develop wrist strength that will improve your bat speed when you are hitting.
Two-Hand Bat Drill
Place a feeder in a chair behind an L-shaped pitching screen. Set up to hit 10 feet out in front of the net, getting into a hitting position. The feeder should throw toward the outside edge of the plate, making it easy for you to hit to the opposite side of the field. Try to hit to the opposite side on every hit, forcing you to use you top hand, since contact with the ball will occur early in the swing. Repeat this at least 10 to 12 times before passing off to another batter.
Drop-toss Drill
The drop-toss drill develops hand speed in a batter, which improves reaction time and bat speed at the point of impact with the softball. To perform this drill, get into your batting stance and have a partner stand facing you, holding the ball at about shoulder height. The batter starts the drill by telling the partner to drop the ball. The partner lets go of the ball and pulls her hand and arm out of the strike zone to avoid the batter's swing. The batter will try to time her swing and connect with the ball for a hit. For an added challenge, the partner can stand on a chair to drop the ball, making it tougher for the batter to gauge her swing.
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