Softball skills are used to improve the various skills used by the players during real game situations. A typical practice will be well-rounded and focus on all facets of the game including batting, fielding, catching and ball control. Softball drills can improve the motivation of the player as their skills improve as well as the overall morale of the team.
Vision Drill
The vision drill is used to teach hitters to recognize the different potential locations of each pitch. To begin the drill, the batter stands in the batter's box as she normally would as the pitcher throws to the catcher. As the pitcher throws the ball, the batter watches it leave her hand and determines the location and pitch type as quickly as possible. Since pitches happen quickly, the batter can use one-syllable words. For example, a curveball that hits the inside corner would be "curve strike" while a fastball that was outside the strike zone would be "fast ball." The order of the words are irrelevant and can be changed depending on what your team needs. If your need is having trouble swinging at balls outside the strike zone, instruct them to yell out the location before the pitch type.
Down the Line, Up the Valley
The purpose of this drill is to allow outfielders to practice taking angles while fielding and throwing the balls back into the infield. The drill uses a hitter, catcher, second baseman, third baseman and four outfielders. The left and right fielders are used in their normal position while right and left centerfielders are used as well. The hitter alternates ball between each pair of fielders. The balls are hit down the right-field line, the left-field line, the right-field alley and the left-field alley. The fielders will play the ball as you yell out a base. The fielder will throw to second, third or home, depending on the instruction.
Hand Break
The hand break drill teaches pitchers the proper way to break their hands using a swinging motion when delivering the ball to the plate. Place a table that is waist high 2 feet behind the pitching rubber and position a softball on it. Instruct your pitcher to set up for a pitch without the ball. As the pitch is thrown without the ball, instruct the pitcher to stop once she reaches the bottom outside corner of her delivery to pick up the ball. This teaches the pitcher to keep her palms and thumbs facing the field and to deliver the ball in a motion that resembles the wings of an angel.
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