Purpose: To practice throwing to all bases for softball pitching.

Procedure: Begin with a pitcher on the mound, a person receiving throws at each base (or one person rotating through the bases), and a person hitting balls. Each pitcher should practice throwing to each of the four bases during this drill. The pitcher goes through a windup without a ball, and the fungoer throws a ball in the air and then hits the ball toward the pitcher. The pitcher moves to field the ball in the center of her body. Each pitcher fields and throws 10 balls to each base including home.

Purpose: To have the softball infield turn double plays as in a game.

Procedure: Infielders assume normal double-play defensive positions. The shortstop and second baseman shade several steps toward second. The hitter at home hits ground balls to all infielders so that they can practice proper angles, feeds, and pivots. Don't forget to include the pitcher and the catcher fielding and throwing to second base. Include all types of hits – slow grounders, high bouncers, and hard shots – to all parts of the infield.

Purpose: To communicate and establish coverage for the outfield defense on balls hit between the infield and outfield.

Procedure: A catcher, middle infielders, and outfielders take their normal fielding positions. Use a ball machine or fungo bat to hit bloopers between the infielders and outfielders. Emphasize the infield going back hard until called off. If necessary, outfielders should  dive for bloopers to make the catch. Players return the ball to the catcher at home, who feeds the hitter or machine.

Purpose: The W-drill is for softball pitching and designed to condition pitchers in the area of fielding the bunt, making a firm throw and mental toughness.

Purpose: Draw a giant "W" in the dirt – stand on the pitching rubber and draw the "W" facing you. The pitcher will then throw a pitch to a catcher, then drive off the mound to her right and field a rolled ground ball or bunt from the batter's box area and make a firm throw to first base, then backpedal full speed back to the pitching rubber. Then the pitcher will throw her second pitch and drive downhill and field a rolled ball at the top of the "W" and make a firm throw to second base, then backpedal full speed back to the pitching rubber. Then the pitcher will throw her third pitch and drive downhill and field a rolled ball to her left and make a firm throw to third base, then backpedal full speed back to pitching rubber. The second pitcher will then toe the rubber and start her round, then the third pitcher, etc. This rotation continues until the conditioning session is over. This is a full speed drill the entire time. The only time for pitchers to rest is when they are on standby before toeing the rubber.

Purpose: A drill for the outfield defense to let them practice circling around the ball when catching fly balls.

Procedure: Outfielders form a single-file line. A catcher sets up to the left of a hitter. The fungo hitter hits high, soft fly balls to the left side of the outfielder, high enough to allow the fielder time to get in position. The outfielder comes around the ball to line up for a throw to the catcher. Repeat the drill in the opposite direction with the catcher setting up to the right of the hitter.

Purpose: This drill teaches players how to catch a softball by letting them practice fielding ground balls from basic, "ready, set, go" positions.

Procedure: The coach faces the players, who are in a staggered position in three or four lines. On command, players assume "ready," then set position. On command "go," players take three steps forward to field and gather an imaginary ball. They catch and go to the throwing position with quick feet. Players don't retreat but take the ready position at that spot to continue the drill.

Purpose: To teach the softball infield the flip used as a throw when players are within close range of the target and on the backhand side. Using this technique ensures that the ball will not be overthrown.

Procedure: The players are in corner ready position. Player one drops the ball straight down, close to the middle of her body. With knees bent and chest parallel to the ground, she scoops up the ball with both hands and places it in her throwing hand. She then lifts her elbow so that the tricep is parallel with her back and the arm forms a 90-degree angle at the elbow. She extends her hand toward her partner, flipping the ball in her partner's direction at waist height. The partner in turn drops the ball and flips it back. Players should flip the ball to each other 15-30 times or until the skill is mastered.

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.

Purpose: To learn to defend the squeeze bunt with a runner on third for softball pitching.

Procedure: Start with one or more pitchers at the mound area and a coach and a catcher (or other player) acting as the receiver at home. Upon recognizing a squeeze bunt, the pitcher breaks off the mound and surrounds the ball so the ball is on her throwing hand side. She then shovels the ball toward the catcher with her bare hand and the back of the glove. The ball should be tossed at knee height to the plate. Each pitcher fields 10-15 bunts.

Purpose: This drill for the outfield defense is to have outfielders practice fielding balls and taking angles for balls down the line and in the alleys.

Procedure: This drill requires four outfielders, receivers at second base and third base, a hitter, and a catcher. Because the center fielder is always involved on balls to the gap, it is best to use two – one in left center and one in right center. The left and right fielders are in normal position. The ball is fungoed alternately to the two pairs of outfielders in the alley and down the line. The first ball is hit down the left-field line, the second to the right-field line, the third to the left-field alley, and the fourth to the right-field alley. Outfielders work on short-angle and deep-angle coverage and hitting the relay or bases. Have each fielder throw to both second and third base. Use extra outfielders or pitchers to cover the bases if the infielders are busy elsewhere. Have players return balls to the catcher or use a bucket at each base.