5 Basic Softball Drills to Build Fundamental Skills

Choosing to play softball either recreationally or competitively requires a set of fundamental skills. Some of the skills are base running, hitting, fielding, throwing, and catching. Becoming a decent softball player requires dedication, which means taking the time to practice the correct techniques in the skills mentioned above.

This can help you play the game safely and confidently. Even softball players who have been in the game for years have to practice the fundamentals to improve their performance consistently.

This article lists five basic softball drills that can help build fundamental skills.

1. 3, 2, 1, Run Drill- Running and Throwing Drill

This drill is an excellent one that improves the team’s overall conditioning. This drill requires the players to be split into two groups. Three balls are then spaced out beginning from the third base. The balls should be spaced out about 5 to 7 feet. The third ball must be halfway between the home plate and the third base. The first team lines up behind the third base, while the second team lines up at the home plate.

Once the coach says “GO,” the first player from the team behind the third base runs towards the first ball and then passes it to a teammate at the second. The first player then continues running towards the other two balls, throwing them. The primary aim is to deliver three accurate passes to the player at second.

If the throwing player can throw three accurate balls on the second team, the throwing team wins the drill. If the player running from the second team gets to the base first, the running team wins. Once a team has won, the teams can then switch places.

2. Fungo Force Back- Footwork, Hitting and Fielding Drill

This is a helpful drill that does require any additional work from the instructors or coaches. The leaders of this exercise must effectively hit the balls, fungo style. To this end, this drill can take place at a football field or soccer pitch, with the players divided into two groups.

It is always best to use the field that already has the soccer goals or football goalposts. Otherwise, the coach will create goals before the drill can commence. Players are allowed to use whatever equipment they want for this drill.

This drill aims to hit the ball either over or in the opposing team’s goal. Both sets of players take turns being on the offensive and defensive position. An offensive team can move up the field if the defense fails to field the ball or drop it cleanly. The hitting team can move to where the ball was mishandled when this happens.

The defensive team will switch to the offensive team set when a defensive player fields the ball cleanly. The same is said for when the offense hits the ball out of bounds. The offensive team turns the ball wherever it lands out of bounds.

This drill does a lot more than improve fielding. It can enhance the skills surrounding running, hitting, and concentration.

3. Know Your Spot- Fielding Drill

Know your spot is a great overall conditioning drill that lets players work on their fielding. It can also aid with simulating a game atmosphere for the players to hone their instincts and practice moving when playing. This exercise is best for pitchers and infielders. Each player should stand in their usual field position during a game.

The coach might then instruct a hypothetical play. It could be a low ball behind the first base or a ground ball to third for a double play. This drilling process can enable the coach to see where each player naturally runs during that particular play.

Once the players understand this drill and can be in the correct positions, it can be kicked up a notch by introducing live runners and ground balls.

4. King of the Hill- Fielding Drill

This drill is an exciting exercise that helps softball players work on their reflexes and fielding techniques. It is a drill, which is best played in a wide-open space since the teams will need to be divided into two groups with a lot of room. A coach will be assigned to each of the groups. This drill doesn’t require gloves as players will use both hands to field the ball.

The players need to stand in line with about 6 feet between each player to perform this drill. The coaches will be required to stand far away from the players’ line while facing them. Once everyone is ready, the coach can start hitting ground balls to the fielders. Each coach must hit their best ground ball towards each player.

If a player can field the ball appropriately, they can remain in their spot on the player line. Once a fielder makes an error, they get moved to the left of the line, with the other person taking their spot. As a fielder, the main aim is to stay at the rightmost spot in line. The player that achieves this is called the king of the hill.

5. Colored Balls- Hitting Drill

This drill is excellent for improving a player’s concentration and hitting. To perform this drill, you need a pitcher or coach to throw two balls of varying colors at different heights. Once the balls are in the air, the pitcher or coach then calls the color the batter needs to hit out.

This drill is practiced until the hitter gets good at it. The drill’s difficulty is then increased by adding a third ball. One of the ways to perform this drill is to split the players up into small groups of 4 and have each group perform the exercise during practice.