Purpose: Learn a series of fundamental drills to practice over and over. These softball fielding tips must be done over to develop a habit.

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).

Purpose: To develop defensive strategies against a base runner advancing to second base on a steal. It is important to practice defensive plays when coaching softball.

Procedure: The team will need one softball, a bat, and gloves. A player stands on first base, and a batter is in the batter's box. As the pitcher releases the ball the base runner runs to second base. The catcher throws the ball to second base.

The shortstop covers the base and tries to tag the runner out.

Purpose: Missing a backup duty in a game can cost a team a win. Stress the importance of backing up in a practice activity. This practice helps on mental training on focus and hustle plays

Procedure: This drill needs a bat, gloves and balls. Arrange a fielding line up. Hit fly balls and grounders. On each ball hit, every player should be doing something. Whether it's pitcher's backing up the plate on throws home, catchers running behind first base on ground balls in the infield, outfielders backing each other up on fly balls, or middle infielders backing up throws to the pitcher with a runner on third base. Pre-think your role on each situation. Incorporate double cutoffs and run-scoring base hits. Extra players can run the bases (wear helmets).

Purpose: Throwing accuracy and running speed all come into play in this game. Coaching softball requires teaching base running and accurate defensive plays.

Procedure: Prepare bases, gloves,  and helmets. Make two teams with about seven kids on each. One team runs the bases. The other team places a person at each infield base. Include a pitcher and catcher. Extra fielders can back up, or rotate into the action after each throw. Play begins with the pitcher throwing the ball to the catcher who then throws to the first baseman. This person must tag the base with their foot before throwing to the second baseman, and so on, until the ball reaches home plate. Simultaneously, the first runner, who starts at first base, sprints around the bases in an effort to "beat" the ball home. If successful, a run is scored; otherwise, an out is called. After three outs, the teams change positions and the game continues. For safety purposes, fielders should throw "inside" or "outside" of the runner.

Purpose: To develop defensive tactics for making the force-out with two outs and the bases loaded. This can be a mental training drill for pressure situations.

Procedure: This drill will use one softball, a bat and gloves. You will rotate pitchers. Set up a complete infield, including the pitcher and a catcher, and place runners at each base, including home plate. The coach stands in the batter's box and hits a slow ground ball to any fielder.

The player on home runs out of the batter's box toward first base. Where and how the fielder fields the ball determines where she will throw the ball to. Upon fielding the ball the other fielders should know what base to cover

Purpose: To simulate game conditions for  softball fielding a pop-up fly ball.

Procedure: All nine players take their positions in the field. Standing at home plate, the coach hits randomly placed pop-ups. The player who's in the best position for catching the ball should yell "ball-ball-ball." The other players nearby should respond to the player's call b yelling "take it – take it." The player to whom the ball is hit should catch it and throw it back to the coach.

Purpose: To improve the softball throwing mechanics and throwing accuracy of the infielder.

Procedure: The catcher, first baseman, and third baseman are at their respective bases, while the second baseman and shortstop are at their defensive positions. The ball should be thrown continuously in the following sequence: catcher to first baseman, first baseman to third baseman, third baseman to second base with the second baseman covering the base, second baseman to catcher, catcher to second base with the shortstop covering the base, shortstop to third baseman, and third baseman to catcher.

Purpose: To execute the double play at first and second base on softball defense; to hit ground balls and run the bases quickly on offense.

Procedure: Play 6v6 on a field that's right for the age group, with players put in the infield and a pitcher and a catcher for the defensive team. To start, one runner is on first and a batter is at the plate, with the other offensive players waiting in the on-deck area for a turn at bat. The pitcher throws pitches that are easy to hit, and the batter tries to hit ground balls (batter hits until she hits a ground ball). The defense tries to make a double play. Give one point to the defense for every force made at second and two points if a double play is made. Repeat with the next player in line as the batter and the  previous batter on first base.  Continue until each player has had two turns, then switch teams.

Purpose: Hitting a softball behind the runner and executing the hit-and-run play on offense; execute the relay and make plays at second base, third base, and home on defense.

Procedure: Play 3v10 or 3v9 on a field that's right for the age group, with an entire defensive team that's set up in the field. For the offensive team, a batter is at the plate, a runner is on first base, and the other players are in the on-deck area waiting to hit. The pitcher throws pitches that are easy to hit, and the batter attempts to hit to right field to move the runner up. The hitter has to try and make contact on all the pitches, regardless of location, and the runner should leave the base once the pitcher releases the ball and advance as far as possible without being thrown out. Let each set of three offensive players have two at-bats each, then rotate in three plays fromhe defense. The offense gets two points for a hit that advances a runner to third or home, one point for a hit that advances a runner only to second, and zero points for plays that not advance the runner.

Purpose: One of the best softball fielding drills used to improve quickness and glove handling. The Figure 8 also provides a good conditioning element as well.

Procedure: A fielder stands between two cones that are around 20 feet apart. A tosser sets up with 10 balls around 20 feet from the fielder but directly in front of her. The fielder starts by running toward a cone while the tosser throws a soft line drive toward the cone. The fielder runs and reaches to catch it. Once it is caught the fielder throws the ball out of the way and heads toward the other cone. The tosser then throws a soft line drive toward that cone. The fielder again catches it and gets rid of it quickly. The fielder continues running around the cones and switches directions in a figure 8 pattern. Each player catches two sets of 10 balls.