Purpose:  To end practice on a high note and have fun during softball hitting drills.

Procedure: This drill will need four bases, a bucket of softballs, a fence or some cones.  Place three bases (or four depending on the age of the participants) five to eight feet apart from one another in a straight line toward second base. Each base represents home plate. Older players use the base farthest from second as home plate, while younger hitters stand at the base closest to second. Players scatter around the field to field the balls. The coach pitches a predetermined number of balls for shallow center field. If a player hits the ball over the fence, it is a home. The batter gets an extra swing for every home run. If there is no fence, set up a boundary with cones.

Purpose: To stress the importance of bunting as a crucial run-producing tactic. It is important to practice every aspect of the game including base running when coaching softball.

Procedure: Equipment needed are one softball, a bat, gloves and helmet. One player is in the batter's box, the other players take their infield positions, and a runner stays at third. The pitcher throws the ball, and the batter bunts the ball toward third base.

The base runner bounces off third base as pitch is released. The third baseman fields the ball and throws it to first, The base runner breaks for home as the third baseman lets go of the balL

Purpose: To develop the outfieIder's abiIity to judge the fIight of a fly ball and move to make the catch. This is a good softball fielding tip for outfielders

Procedure: You will need a bucket of sofballs and gloves, both the coach and the outfielder face the same direction. On the coach's command, the outfielder should sprint deep into the outfield. At that point, the coach throws the ball to the outfielder. The distance the outfielder runs depends on the flight of the ball. The coach's throw should lead the player so that they continue running in order to make the catch. The out fielder should look back over her shoulder for the ball as she runs. Once the coach releases the ball, the outfielder should judge where the ball will land (she should take her eyes off the ball to look at that spot. She should then adjust her angle of pursuit to get to that spot. Once she nears the spot, she should lookup for the ball as she sets up to make the catch.

Purpose: Outfielders learn to be accurate on cutoffs. Important coaching tip is to give various drills to avoid boredom.

Procedure: Gloves, softballs, and athletic tape. Tape a square target on the gym wall-simulating a cutoff throw to an infielder. Stand directly in line with the target. Start off with easy tosses, and progress to game day fashion. Key on pointing the lead leg towards the target, releasing the ball in front of the eyes, arid a complete follow through. Balls can be thrown, rolled towards the fielder, or even self-caught. Then line up at an angle, left or right of the target. For competitive purposes, use the following point system: 10 points (balls which hit inside the square), 5 points (balls which hit the tape), and minus 5 points (balls which do not hit the square area at all]. The size of the box and the actual distance from the throwers all depends upon the age group.

Purpose: Missing a backup duty in a game can cost a team a win. Stress the importance of backing up in a practice activity. This practice helps on mental training on focus and hustle plays

Procedure: This drill needs a bat, gloves and balls. Arrange a fielding line up. Hit fly balls and grounders. On each ball hit, every player should be doing something. Whether it's pitcher's backing up the plate on throws home, catchers running behind first base on ground balls in the infield, outfielders backing each other up on fly balls, or middle infielders backing up throws to the pitcher with a runner on third base. Pre-think your role on each situation. Incorporate double cutoffs and run-scoring base hits. Extra players can run the bases (wear helmets).

Purpose: Throwing accuracy and running speed all come into play in this game. Coaching softball requires teaching base running and accurate defensive plays.

Procedure: Prepare bases, gloves,  and helmets. Make two teams with about seven kids on each. One team runs the bases. The other team places a person at each infield base. Include a pitcher and catcher. Extra fielders can back up, or rotate into the action after each throw. Play begins with the pitcher throwing the ball to the catcher who then throws to the first baseman. This person must tag the base with their foot before throwing to the second baseman, and so on, until the ball reaches home plate. Simultaneously, the first runner, who starts at first base, sprints around the bases in an effort to "beat" the ball home. If successful, a run is scored; otherwise, an out is called. After three outs, the teams change positions and the game continues. For safety purposes, fielders should throw "inside" or "outside" of the runner.

Purpose: To Develop ball-handling skills and practice tagging runners. Several softball coaching tips suggest to incorporate fun during training.

Procedure: This drill will need one baseball and gloves for each player. Divide the team into two groups, line them up across from each other, and number the players in each group from one to six. The coach puts a ball between the lines and yells out a number. Both players with this number run toward the ball and try to grab it, or steal the bacon. When one of the players picks up the ball, the other tries to tag him with the glove. The player who picks up the ball tries to run back to the line without getting tagged. Award one team a point if its player gets back to the line without being tagged. Award the other team a point if its player makes the tag before the runner reaches the line. Players can also run with the ball in their bare hands when trying to make a tag.

Purpose: To develop defensive tactics for making the force-out with two outs and the bases loaded. This can be a mental training drill for pressure situations.

Procedure: This drill will use one softball, a bat and gloves. You will rotate pitchers. Set up a complete infield, including the pitcher and a catcher, and place runners at each base, including home plate. The coach stands in the batter's box and hits a slow ground ball to any fielder.

The player on home runs out of the batter's box toward first base. Where and how the fielder fields the ball determines where she will throw the ball to. Upon fielding the ball the other fielders should know what base to cover

Purpose: To develop the ability to catch a ground ball backhanded. This is a good defensive tool for midfielders. Read this for more softball fielding tips for midfielders

Procedure: You will need a bucket of softballs and gloves. Separate the team into two groups and send them to different parts of the field. One coach assists each group.

Players in each group line up behind one another. The coach stands approximately 15 feet in front of the players and throws a ground ball to the backhand side of the first player in line. A backhand catch is one in which a player crosses the body with the glove hand to catch the ball, either in the air or on the ground. The fielder starts in the ready position then runs in the direction of the thrown bail, keeping the glove open. After making the catch, the player throws the ball back to the coach then goes to the end of the other coach's line. Each player in line takes a turn making a backhand catch.

Purpose: To hit the ball hard up the middle. To hit line drives. This drill can improve you softball hitting technique

Procedure: Two batting tees are required. Place the first tee slightly in front of home plate by 2 to 4 inches. Line it up with the middle of the plate. The second tee should be placed at least two feet in front of the first tee in a direct line at the same height. Place a ball on both tees. You will assume a ready position. Your partner will provide the verbal hitting commands — stride and pivot. Attempt to hit the ball off the first tee so that it makes contact with the ball on the second tee. The ball on the front tee serves as a target.