Purpose: To develop proper footwork at all bases on a force out for the softball infield.

Procedure: One player at a time is up at the base, and the coach or a partner throws the fielder balls from different areas of the field. The infielders can also be spread out to their respective bases with multiple throwers. The fielder starts by standing in front of the base with her feet far enough apart to straddle it, toes facing the direction from which the ball is coming. She should stand on the balls of her feet and keep her feet parallel to each other to keep her body squared to the thrower. As the tosser throws the ball, the fielder kicks back her right foot (for a right-hander) and places it on the front edge of the base while she stretches her left leg out and reaches with both hands to receive the ball. Each player cathes 7-10 balls.

Purpose: To develop proper technique for the softball infield when diving for ground balls.

Procedure: Partners face each other, standing about 15 feet apart. The diving player turns on the balls of the feet, keeping the feet in the same spot, and faces the direction in which she will dive first. The ball should be rolled or tosses in a line drive to the side the player is facing, just out of the reach of the diving fielder. From a semicrouch position, staying low to the ground, the fielder dives out toward the toss. She lands in the dive on her chest and stomach, her body fully extended, her back slightly arched, and her head up. Using this format, practice diving to the left and right. Dive five times in each direction before switching.

Purpose: To improve reaction time and glove handling for the softball infield.

Procedure: This drill needs to be done inside unless a wall is available outside. One player sets up in fielding position facing the wall, 5-10 feet away. Her partner is behind the fielder (within 2 feet) with a ball. The tosser throws a ball against the wall in front of the fielder, and the fielder must react and field the ball. Field 10 balls and switch. Repeat two to three times.

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 practice receiving three different throws from the softball catcher. The catcher is working on the techniques involed in three plays at the same time: passed ball,  bunt, and pickoff.

Procedure: The first baseman catches the following throws and places the ball in a bucket by the base.

1. The pitcher throws to the catcher, who intentionally lets the pitch get behind her. The catcher recovers the ball and throws to the outside of first base (1).

2. After catching the second pitch, the catcher throws the ball out in front of the plate to simulate a bunt. She goes after the ball and throws it to the first baseman, who is calling "inside" and giving a target there (2).

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.

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: This drill teaches players how to catch a softball by making them develop greater range.

Procedure: Have a hitter at second, a hitter at home, and fielding lines at first and third, each with at least four players. The hitters hit at the same time, slapping ground balls that force the fielders to reach for them. After fielding a ball, the player puts that ball in the other hitter's hand and runs to the end of the other fielding line. Have a bucket of balls behind each hitter. If a fielder misses the hit ball, she takes ont out of the bucket to give to the hitter. Halfway through the drill, reverse direction so that players must reach to the other side.

Purpose: Drill for softball hitting that has batters check for balance during a swing.

Procedure: The hitter stands on a two-by-four or with both feet on the inner edge of a tire while hitting off the T. A hitter with good balance can stay on the beam throughout the swing.

Purpose: A drill for the softball infield that lets them practice pivot footwork while saving the pivot player's arm.

Procedure: A feeder has a bucket of balls from which to feed the pivot. One pivot or a single-file line of several players can perform the drill. The feeder throws to the pivot from a distance of about 15 feet from either the shortstop or second-base side of the infield. (You can also include feeds from the pitcher's position to the shortstop, who makes the pivot.) The receiver is several steps from the base facing the feeder. She catches the ball, turns the pivot, and makes a short throw to the first baseman, who is set up on the base line midway between first and second. The emphasis is on making the pivot, so the pivot player can save her arm by throwing to the first baseman at half the normal distance. The pivot player returns to repeat the drill or goes to the end of the line.