Purpose: To stress the importance of bunting as a crucial run-producing tactic. It is important to practice every aspect of the game including base running when coaching softball.

Procedure: Equipment needed are one softball, a bat, gloves and helmet. One player is in the batter's box, the other players take their infield positions, and a runner stays at third. The pitcher throws the ball, and the batter bunts the ball toward third base.

The base runner bounces off third base as pitch is released. The third baseman fields the ball and throws it to first, The base runner breaks for home as the third baseman lets go of the balL

Purpose: To develop proper tagging-up techniques. This is for additional Softball Coaching Tips.

Procedure: This drill will be needing three bases, a softball,  and gloves for the fielders. Set up three bases in the shape of a softball diamond. Place three fielders in the outfield positions. A coach stands in the infield between the pitcher's plate and second base. The rest of the team lines up at first base. The first player in line leads off first base a few feet. The coach throws a fly ball to one of the outfielders, before the outfielder catches the ball, the player runs back to first base, tags up, then hustles to second base. Although the outfielder attempts to catch every ball, she does not throw out any of the base runners as they tag up and run to the next base. The first player stays at second base. The next player in line at first base repeats the drill, but this time, both runners on base tag up. Now the bases are loaded for the third throw, and al! three runners tag up on it. Repeat the drill for every player. The coach rotates the throws to the different outfielders. After everyone has had a chance to run at least twice, the fielders come in and three new players head to the outfield.

Purpose: Mold clutch players in practice. This drill may help in Mental Training as well.

Procedure: For this practice you'll be needing bats, balls, helmets, gloves, bases, and pitching screen. When a softball game is tied in extra innings, a base runner is placed on second base to start the inning. Teams have a golden opportunity in which to score, and thus win the game. Here the instructor can design numerous situations in "Win It". First, have a runner at second base with a hitter at the plate. Arrange other players in the field. The hitter has one at-bat to drive the runner home.

Play as if there were:

a. Two outs.

Purpose: To improve softball catchers' technique in throwing to third base on a pickoff.

Procedure: Wearing her equipment, the catcher takes her proper stance behind home plate for a situation in which a runner is on third base. A coach stands halfway between the pitching mound and home plate and throws balls to the catcher. A right-handed catcher should use the "replace-feet" technique as she throws to third base. The catcher should use the raking technique to bring the ball to a throwing position and make a strong throw to third base.

Purpose: To teach the art of  softball sliding while turning into a fun game.

Procedure:  Divide the team into groups of four. One group of four should move out to a square area (about twenty by twenty feet) marked on the field, with a "base" in each corner and a player on each base. At the whistle, the player at home takes off for first, sliding in. When she touches the bag, the player standing there at first takes off for second. When she slides in, the runner on second base takes off toward third. This continues around the horn until the player who began at home gets back home again. Whichever team does this the fastest is the winner. If you do not have enough room to have all your groups going at once, then you can use a stopwatch to see which group is the fastest.

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: To learn how to execute the hit-and-run both for softball hitting and running.

Procedure: Divide the team into two groups: outfielders at first base, infielders at home. A coach stands on the mound behind an L-shaped screen. Using the cage for a backstop, the coach gets set and throws to the hitter. The runner on first breaks when the coach throws the pitch and should glance toward the plate as she breaks for second, looking for a pitchout. She should again glance on her third or fourth step to see if the ball was hit on the ground or in the air. The hitter tries to stay on top of the ball and hit a line drive or a hard grounder. Rotate infielders and outfielders after three to five minutes.

Purpose: To practice game-action bunting techniques.

Procedure: A batter is at the plate with a pitcher, catcher, and infield in place and two runners at third base. The runners go two at a time with one runner in foul territory. A third base coach is in the box to make sure the runner don't leave early. The runners break for home after the pitcher breaks his hands and his motion toward the plate begins. The hitter bunts the ball in fair territory and the defense reacts to the ball, either throwing home or to first base.

Purpose: To practice the basics of base running and learn the proper techniques of stealing home.

Procedure: The runner takes a stealing lead from third while focusing on the pitcher. The pitcher winds up and throws to the catcher. A hitter at home shows bunt. Make sure to go through this setup several times, then let the runner attempt to steal home.

Purpose: To work on the basics of base running and learn how to execute a double steal with a left-handed pitcher.

Procedure: Split your baserunners into two groups: infielders at first base, outfielders at third base. Players form lines at each base. A left-handed coach or pitcher is on the mound, and a catcher and first baseman are in place. When the pitcher is set and the runner at first draws eye contact, this runner extends her lead, making the pitcher want to try to pick her off. Both runners then break on first movement of the pitcher. If the pitcher throws to first, the runner at third base breaks for the plate. If the pitcher throws to the plate, the runner at third returns to third , while the runner at first steals second. Run the drill for three minutes and then rotate the infielders and outfielders.