Purpose: To improve quickness for softball catchers.

Procedure: A pitcher throws from a distance of about 20 feet, pitching the ball inside or outside to a catcher in receiving position. The catcher's hips are up to improve quickness for throwing out the runner. After catching the ball, the catcher quickly moves her feet and assumes the throwing position with both arms up, then freezes in that position to check for proper alignment.

Purpose: For softball catchers to practice throwing to bases.

Procedure: An infielder covers each base. The pitcher delivers the ball, and the catcher throws to the player covering the base. Have a batter stand in the box and adjust her position so that the catcher learns to create a throwing lane. Use runners so that the catcher can judge the quickness of her throw. If you do not want players to slide, have them swing wide (away from the infield) as they approach the base.

Purpose: For softball catchers to practice fielding bunts and throwing to a base.

Procedure: The catcher is in squat position. A thrower standing behind her rolls out bunts for the catcher to field and throw to a receiver at the base. The catcher should explode from the box and get ahead of the ball.

Purpose: Allows softball catchers to practice making throws to a player covering home after recovering passed balls or wild pitches.

Procedure: The catcher assumes a squat position. Another catcher or pitcher faces home plate and throws wild pitches that the catcher lets go by. The thrower then covers home to receive the return throw from the catcher. The drill can also be started by dropping the ball against the backstop.

Purpose: A drill for softball catchers which lets them practice throwing from the knees and to strengthen the arm.

Procedure: Two catchers kneel about 30 feet apart on one or both knees. They throw back and forth, using an overhand throw and pulling with the stomach muscles. They gradually  increase the distance until throws are regulation distance to all the bases.

Purpose: A drill for softball catchers that makes them learn to catch with the throwing foot forward as the foundation for the two-step release.

Procedure: The catcher plays catch with a partner. She receives each throw with the right foot forward (if right-handed) and then steps with the opposite foot to make a two-step throw.

Purpose: A drill for softball catchers which focuses on quick hands and good reflexes (assets catcher really benefit from having.) This softball drill helps build up these assets so that catchers can make the plays that make the catching position so much fun, such as tagging out runners at home plate and calling out assignments for other infielders.

Procedure: The catcher, wearing her full gear, takes her normal position behind home plate. The three helpers, who can be teammates, assistant coaches, or parents, stand in a horizontal line in front of the catcher about 25 feet away with buckets in front of them. The first player in line throws a ball to the catcher, who catches it and quickly rolls it off to the side. As soon as the ball leaves her glove, the next helper throws a ball to the catcher. The drill continues in rapid succession.

Purpose: This drill for fastpitch softball defense is done to have the catcher work on pickoff throws to first off pitched balls. The second baseman works on timing as she takes the pickoff at first.

Procedure: A pitcher pitches to the catcher with the second baseman in the normal starting position for a pickoff (several steps deeper while shading toward first). The second baseman breaks on the pitch in time to be at first base to receive the catcher's throw.

Purpose: A drill for softball catchers that lets them practice communicating and working together to catch foul balls.

Procedure: Use a catcher, pitcher, third baseman, and first baseman in their regular defensive positions. Foul balls are tossed in all directions in foul territory. Players assist each other in calling the direction of the ball, calling for the ball, and making the catch.

Purpose: A drill for softball catchers that makes them improve their agility and the ability to catch foul balls.

Procedure: The catcher lies flat on her stomach. A partner tosses simulated foul balls behind her, calling "Ball" as the ball is tossed. The catcher scrambles to make the catch.