Purpose: To improve conditioning for the outfield defense while catching fly balls.

Procedure: Four players start in a line in left field. A tosser throws a ball to the first player, who fields and throws the ball back to the tosser and then runs toward center field to catch another ball thrown by the same person. The fielder returns that ball to another tosser at second base, who repeats the sequence as the fielder continues to run toward right field. A third thrower at first base repeats the sequence. Fielders wait in right field and then repeat the drill going the other way. This is a good drill for all players.

Purpose: To practice blocking low pitches or balls in the dirt for softball catchers. This is a key skill drill for catchers, with the benefit of providing a good conditioning element as well.

Procedure: Catchers can work with another catcher or a coach serving as a tosser. The catcher, in full gear, starts in the ready position for receiving a pitch. The tosser stands approximately 20 feet in front of her. The tosser begins by throwing a ball in the dirt (or on the ground if working inside) directly at the catcher. The catcher should drop to both knees as her glove drops, palms up, directly between her legs. At the same time, she should drop the chin to the chest and round the shoulders, creating an enclosure. The ball should stay in front of the catcher. Each catcher blocks two sets of 5 or 10 balls.

Purpose: To help fielders improve lateral movement. This drill provides a good softball conditioning element as well.

Procedure: Players set up with a partner and stand facing each other approximately 6-10 feet apart. One player has a ball, and her partner begins in her infield ready position (outfielders can use a middle infield ready position). The partner rolls the ball to the fielder's side, and the fielder responds by shuffling her feet to move to field the ball (as opposed to making a crossover step). After fielding the ball with both hands the fielder immediately tosses the ball in the air back to her partner, and the partner then rolls the ball to the fielder's other side. Perform this for two or three sets of 10 or 15 tosses.

Sometimes, we run out of time to do softball conditioning during practice. These 2 softball conditioning drills will allow you to work on your conditioning while you still practice the fundamentals of the game.

Softball Conditioning Drill #1 – The Star

Purpose: To work on conditioning, infield communication, footwork, and catching and receiving the ball.

Organization: Start with players at their normal fielding positions. The catcher starts with the ball. There is no pitcher.

Purpose: Makes the softball infield work on conditoning and fielding ground balls.

Procedure: Three fielders form a line at third, and a first baseman and catcher take their normal positions. A softball is placed on the mound. A hitter at home hits to the first fielder at the third-base defensive position. The player fields the ball and throws to first. She then runs to the ball on the mound and throws it to first. (Balls thrown to first are thrown immediately by the first baseman to the catcher at home.) The fielder runs around behind second base, fields another ball hit to the shortstop position, and throws that ball home. The hitter rolls a ball out to the same fielder, who is charging toward home. She fields that ball and places it on the mound. The drill continues with the next fielder. Don't forget to have the catcher and first baseman do the drill.

Purpose: To practice fielding all types of balls after delivering a pitch. This is an excellent conditioning drill as well.

Procedure: The drill works best with at least three pitchers, a catcher, and a hitter. You can use another player to player first if you don't have three pitchers and pitchers rotate only on the mound. Pitchers form a single-file line at the mound, and one pitcher is at first to catch the throw. The pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher, and the hitter hits a ground ball back to the pitcher for fielding practice. The pitcher fields, throws to first, and then rotates to first to receive the throw from the next pitcher. After catching at first, the receiver rotates to the end of the fielding line for this softball pitching drill. Vary the type of balls hit, hitting to each side of the pitcher and bunting and slapping as well. Include a sequence of having pitchers look imaginary runners back before making the throw.

Purpose: A drill for the fastpitch softball defense, in particular the infielders, which lets them field an assortment of ground balls and to field with different footwork positions. To throw to different bases and to condition.

Procedure: There are players at first and third, a ball in the pitching circle, and a player catching with a fungo hitter at the plate. One player works through all of the plays that follow

1. A ground ball is hit to the third baseman who throws it to first base.

2. The player runs and picks up the ball in the circle and throws to first base.

3. The player then loops around second base toward the shortstop position and is hit a ground ball, which she throws to first base.

Softball conditioning and fielding on the run in one. The tosser stands in the middle of the outfield while players line up by one foul pole. One player goes at a time, running from one side of the outfield to the other, following the fence line. This helps a player really improve on their fielding. The tosser throws approximately 6 balls in total and the player catches the ball on the run and drops it, continuing to field balls until they reach the far foul pole. 

 Equipment Needed: Balls, gloves, bat

Purpose: Defensive communication and softball conditioning. Failure to communicate in softball is a big problem. Here's a drill

Explanation: We divide the team into two separate teams. Team A has one baserunner at first who runs from first base to second and back as many times as possible before the defense can get her out. The defense puts four or five athletes on the field. The coach hits a fly ball between the defenders. They must communicate to make the catch. If the catch is made, the runner is out and the next runner is up. If the ball gets down, the defense must communicate in order to relay a ball to a base to tag the runner.

Purpose: Teaches the sensation of keeping the pitchers weight on the back foot until the release. It helps eliminate improper weight transfer, leaping and over striding. It also forces the pitcher to develop power from her pivot foot.

Equipment: A 3 to 5 gallon plastic bucket.

Players: A pitcher and a catcher.

Field: Enough room for the pitcher and the catcher, about 40 feet.

Instruction: Have the pitcher place her stride foot on an upside down bucket and pitch without taking a step. This will have the effect of her having to keep her weight behind the release of the ball instead of allowing it to flow forward with the stride, causing overstriding. She has to keep her pivot foot on the ground and pushing up rather than out. Note: Pitching up a steep hill can also accomplish this same effect.