Purpose: To improve the infielder's ability to catch a softball that is hit hard into the ground and is bouncing slowly toward him. It is important to have fielders practice fielding ground balls, this is a good  softball fielding tips for beginners

Procedure: Have a crate of softball, a fungo bat, glove. The infielders assume their positions and ready themseIves for play. The feeder uses a fungo bat to hit a slow, choppy ground ball toward a specific infielder. The fielding player should round his path to the ball so that his momentum is toward the direction in which he is throwing. The right-handed fielder should field the ball on the left of his mid-line. After fielding the ball, the player should take an additional step with his right foot and simulate a throw to first base. When fielding a ball hit to the left of his mid-line, the right-handed player should make sure that the ball is fielded just outside his left foot. When using his barehand to field the ball, the player should make sure that the ball is fielded just outside his right foot and throw on the run.

This drill may be initiated with the feeder throwing the ball to the infielder. The infielder should attempt to field all bounders with his glove-hand, unless the situation demands extraordinary speed in securing the ball and delivering it to the specified base.

Procedure: This drill will need  Infield and pitching screens, bucket, baseballs, and team hitting gear. During on-field batting pracitce the large infield screen should be set up behind second bass along with a bucket, and the pitchers scatter throughout the outfield. Players stay in their starting area, and aim to catch the balls hit in their direction. No interference allowed. Points are deduced for dropped catches. Points are awarded for catches and subsequent tosses toward the bucket. 1 point for a clean catch of a ground ball, 2 points for a clean catch of a fly bill or line drive, 3- points for a clean catch and then a toss which hits or rolls to the screen, 4 points for a clean catch and toss which hits or rolls to the bucket, and 5 points for a clean catch and toss which goes into the bucket. The person who has the most points when BP is done wins the game.

Procedure: You will need the following equipment tennis balls and gloves,regulation balls for older players. Explain and demonstrate each of the disciplines. Work in groups of two. Start off bare-handed. Then add in gloves and infielder

paddles if applicable. Include the following:

1. Glove Work: Roll balk to each other in the crouched stance with an open glove.

2. Grounders Straight On: Same as above except start standing up.

3. Circle: Same as above except circle balls to the left and right.

4. Forehand: Charge to the glove side, field the ball, and swing the back leg over (as if facing first base).

5. Backhand: Swing the glove-side leg over, and receive the ball with a wide stance,

6. Bare-handed: Skim the ground with the fingers, stay low, and be able to make one quick step before throwing,

7. Short hops: Field scoops and picks.

8. Tags: Slap tags on, behind, in front, left, and right of an imaginary base.

9. Stretch: Reach out for the toss while pushing off of an imaginary base.

10. One-handed Flips: For double plays, toss balls straight on and to the side of your partner (older players).

11. Blocking: Knock down a tricky bounce with the chest (nose over the ball)

12. Quick Toss: Play quiet catch with tennis balls.

13. Line Drive: Fire balls to each other from close range.

14. Transitions: Pass the ball behind the back and between the legs, then switch directions.

15. Self pop-up: Toss tails into the air, and catch-with two hands.

Purpose: Learn series of fundamental drills to practice over and over. These are good outfield softball fielding tips.

Procedure: Equipment needed are softballs and gloves. Coach has a bat and a bucket of balls with him. Have 3 groups at the outfield  One group at left,center and right field area and two players on each base. Coach will bat the ball towards the groups in the outfield and the player must follow the instructions given on where to throw back:

1. Drop Knee: Crouch down and block the ball (hard hit ground ball  with no one on base). Throw to 2nd base

2. Grounders: Receive the ball out front and pivot to throw.  RF throw 1st, LF and CF throw 2nd

3. Shoe string: Scoop bills hit just in front of you. Throw to homeplate

4. Pivot Drill: Use the crossover step to change directions while going back on a ball. LF throw 2nd, CF and RF throw to 3rd

5. Over the Shoulder: Catch balls thrown deep over the head. Throw to 3rd

6. Fence Drili: Feel for the fence, and leap high for the ball. LF throw to 3rd, CF to 2nd, RF to 1st base

7. Self toss ups: Toss balls into the air, and catch with two hands. Play homeplate

8. Cut-off  Drill: Throw balls to relay person

When drill is done rotate the players on the outfield including infield.

Procedure: Equipment needed would be one softball, a bat and gloves. Set up a complete infield, including the pitcher and 3 catchers, and place runners at each base, including home plate. The coach stands in the batter's box and hits a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The player on home runs out of the batter's box toward first base.

Where and how the pitcher fields the ball determines whether she should make the force -out at home or not.

There is a force out at every base when the bases are loaded. On a bases-loaded situation with two outs, players are usually taught to make the throw to first base however, in some situations, that may not be the easiest throw to make.

The Pitcher should throw the ball to the catcher underhanded fcr the force-out at home if Ihey have fielded the ball cleanly and their momentum takes Chsm toward home plate. The pitcher should aim for the catcher's chest.

If a pitcher's momentum takes her all the way to home plate after fielding the ball, she should continue to run home and step on the plate fcr the out. A pitcher should only run all the way to home plate if she knows he can make the out.

Procedure: The first player in line starts on her knees. The coach will bounce the ball slightly to her. She will dive to stop or catch the ball, and try to get to her feet and throw the ball back to the coach. After four or five attempts, the next player takes a turn. Once each player is done catching to her left (glove side), switch it up and throw to the other side.

Players will only get comfortable when they try an activity. By making them dive in a controlled environment, they are more apt and ready for such a play during the game. Getting started on the drill will help eliminate the fear of injury. Teach feet to get to the throwing position.

Procedure: Use softballs and  foam paddles. Have two players face each other a short distance apart. One player throws the ball in such a manner as to make the ball hop, simulating a ground ball hit to the infielder. The right-handed infielder assumes the ready position and awaits the throw, keeping his left foot slightly in front of the right. The ball is tossed directly toward the infielder who is holding a foam paddle in each hand. The infielder should use the funnel technique on regular ground balls and the push-through technique on short hop ground bails. The funnel technique involves the infielder cushioning the impact of the ball as it hits the hands. The push-through technique involves the infielder catering the ball by pushing his glove forward through the ball as he points the fingers downward.

Procedure: You will need cones, balls, and fielding gloves. Make equal teams. Place 1 cone and ball directly in front of each group (normal cutoff distance for age group). Teams should stand behind their own cone. At the starting signal, the first person in line runs to the cone. The next person in line throws the ball to his/her partner in  cutoff fashion. Fielders should yell, "Hit me!" with their arms up. On a successful catch the receiver then runs with the ball back to his or her team, and puts the ball back at the front of the line. The two partners must slap gloves with one person sprinting to the cone and the other returning to the back of the line. The rotation keeps going until every person has thrown the ball at least once.

For smaller group sizes, have each person throw the ball five times. For overthrows, the person must retrieve the ball, run back and tag the cone, and only then return to the team. Add in tags (at the cone) after successful catches. Always have throws going away from the group, so errant tosses do not hit anyone else.

Procedure: Place four cones in a square with 10 to 15 feet between cones. The coach stands in the center of the square, and the first player stands next to a corner cone facing away from the coach. The coach throws a tennis ball toward the player, then immediately gives the "go" command. On the "go" command, the player turns and reacts to the ball, trying to make the catch. After catching the ball, the player drops it on the ground next to him. The player runs to the next cone, turns toward the coach, who has already thrown a ball in his direction, and tries to react to the tennis ball in the air before making the catch. When the first player has been to all four cones, it is the next player's turn. Players should be ready to catch the ball as they turn around and should calch the ball with both hands. Players should concentrate on making sure they calch the ball before running to the next cone.

Procedure: You will need one softball for each team. Divide the team into groups of three. Each group spreads out in a straight line with 15 to 25 yards between each player, depending on the age or skill level of the participants. Place one ball approximately five yards behind the first player in line. On the "go" command, the first player runs, picks up the ball, turns, and throws to the middle player.The middle player catches the ball, turns, and throws to the third player. The third player, after catching the ball, throws it back to the middle player, who then turns and throws the ball back to the first player. The first team to return the ball to the first player receives one point. The first team to reach seven points wins.

This game is similar to the bucket relay. In the three-man relay, the player in the middle receives most of the throws; therefore, it is imperative to rotate players after each round. As the infielder did in the previous drill, the middle player must turn to the glove side when throwing the ball. However this drill emphasizes getting rid of the ball quickly. Therefore, coaches should remind players to catch the ball cleanly before attempting to throw it.