Outfield Drills For Softball

In the sport of softball, the outfield is the last line of defense. They are the pitcher's last hope to description an out and maybe save a win for the team. Therefore, it's very prominent that a team is able to put together a solid outfield and that they have the primary skills to play a position that can be unquestionably difficult at times. Putting the outfielders through assorted drills, can help them gain these skills and keep the skills they already have as sharp as possible. Here then are five drills for softball outfielders to practice.
Here then are five drills for softball outfielders to practice.

Drill 1-Grapevine

Drills

Purpose: To heighten the footwork, concentration, and catching quality of all fielders while they move in both directions.

Outfield Drills For Softball

Procedure: The coach stands about 10 feet in front of a line of players facing her and takes the ball from the first player in line. The coach points to the right. Player turns shoulder and hips to that side and runs perpendicular away from the coach. After about three or four steps, coach points in the other direction. Player, using the crossover step, turns the other direction, still running in a straight line away from the coach, never losing sight of the ball. After other three or four steps, coach points in primary direction. Player then repeats former crossover step and turns in primary direction. Coach then throws a fly ball in the direction of the primary point forcing the player to catch the ball by stretching over that side's shoulder. Player makes the catch and brings the ball back to the end of the line. It is prominent that the drill be executed full speed in a dead sprint, and that the player changes direction only when the coach makes the signal. Also, the player should never lose sight of the ball. The flys should be exciting and wish a great deal of exertion to make the catch. By the time the fielder has caught the ball, the next player in line has already set herself in the ready position.

Drill 2-Outfield Loop

Purpose: To field an assortment of batted balls and to field with separate footwork positions. To throw to separate bases and to condition.

Procedure: This drill uses 5-9 players. Players are in left field and at second (with a ball) and third base, with a player catching and a fungo hitter at the plate. One player works through all the defensive plays that follow.

1. A ground ball is hit to the left fielder who throws it home.

2. The left fielder runs into town field where the second baseman throws a fly ball. The player catches the fly and throws it to second base.

3, Then the player runs into right field where the second baseman throws a ground ball toward the foul line. The player fields the ball and throws to third base.

4. Lastly, the player runs to left field where the batter hits her a ground ball which is thrown home.

After the player completes the circuit, the outfielder becomes the catcher at home, the catcher rotates to third base, third base rotates to second base, and second base rotates to left field. Added players are waiting their turns at the outfield position.

Drill 3-Shoestring Catch

Purpose: To institution manufacture diving and shoestring catches.

Procedure: This drill uses 2-10 players. The players form three lines, standing about 60 feet from the coach. The lines are positioned about 20 feet apart. The coach has all the softballs. The first player in line A runs toward the coach. When she is about halfway to the coach, a soft underhand toss is made to the player's left, right, or straight ahead. If the player makes the diving catch, she should hold the ball up so the coach can see it. This will help the player remember to hold the ball up in games so the umpire can see that she caught the ball. The player attempts to make the catch, tosses the ball to the coach, and runs to the end of her line. The first player in line B then runs toward the coach and then the first player in line C.

Drill 4-Bump Out

Purpose: To put game-like pressure on the infielder or outfielder.

Procedure: Set up for any of the defensive drills listed above. An Added player waits off to the side of the drill. When a fielder makes a throwing or fielding error, she leaves the drill and the player who is waiting replaces her. Every time an error is made the fielder steps out and the waiting player steps in.

Drill 5-Full Field in between With Tennis Balls

Purpose: To institution transportation among all outfielders handling in-between batted balls.

Procedure: All outfielders and infielders are at their positions. A fungo hitter is at the plate with a tennis racket and tennis balls. The fungo hitter hits balls into all sections of the field. Tennis balls are caught and thrown off to the sides of the field. All fielders need to stay focused on the hitter, as the hitter alternates hits to the left and right side of the field.

Outfield Drills For Softball

Sprinting Drills

Catch him if you can...

Sprinters are the fastest citizen on the track, since their sport relies solely on the ability to run fast for a short distance of time. There's no pacing one's self here. The typical distances for sprints are 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters.

Drills

The 60 meter sprint is run on the straight section of the indoor track. This is the race when having a good start is most crucial, since the race itself lasts less than eight seconds, or roughly the number of time for a man to attain their maximum speed on one breath.

Sprinting Drills

The 100 meter sprint also takes place on the straight section of the indoor track. It is so highly regarded in the track and field world that the world-record owner for this event is deemed the world's fastest man or woman. Since the 200 and 400 meter sprints starts at the curve in the track, it is leading participants to be able to run on the bend as well as straight.

Racers who share in the 400 meter sprint must institute some tactics in order to follow in sprinting this longer distance. One of the most common tactics is to explode from the beginning blocks and run hard straight through the first curve, relaxing the pace while the straight section, and accelerating straight through the second curve and final leg of the race.

Bounding to Glory

Contrary to how it may seem, sprinting isn't just all about running fast. Sprinters must run a series of technique and strengthening drills ordinarily in order to stay in top form and athletic shape. These sprinting drills are divided into two categories: bounding drills and strengthening drills.

Bounding sprinting drills enable the sprinter to institute the intense leg power required while the onset of the race. Never comprise bounding drills in a warm-up or cool down period of the practice. Rather, they should be integrated into the main workout section of the practice, as they furnish a fairly strenuous leg workout.

First, accomplish one set of this straight bounding drill 4 times on each leg. Have each sprinter jog at an easy pace. Then, have them bound as high as they possibly can be lifting their knees. Work up to 3 sets of 10 bounds on each leg.

After the straight bounding, runners should accomplish one set of outside bounding 4 times on each leg. When outside bounding, the sprinter rotates their foot laterally in the air so that it comes down on the outer side of the normal landing location.

As the foot charges up and forward, the body will follow it. Work up to 3 sets of 10 bounds on each leg. Inside bounding drills should also be performed where instead of rotating outwards the foot rotates to land inside the normal landing position.

Sprinters kick butt!

After the bounding sprinting drills, run a series of conditioning sprints and strengthening drills such as this. Have each sprinter run at a moderate jogging pace. When the coach blows the whistle, they must swing their lower legs back to kick their buttocks with each step. Once the whistle blows again, they return to regular jogging. The focus in this drill not be forcing the heel up into the buttock, but rather allowing it to come up with flexibility in the knee joint.

Sprinting Drills