Purpose: This drill works on the basics of base running by having players learn how to react to balls off the bat in a game situation.

Procedure: A full defense is in position. Two runners are at third and two hitters are in the cage. The hitter tries to get the runner in from third with less than two outs by bunting or hitting away. The runners at third should go one at a time, each reacting to the ball off the bat.

Purpose: To learn how to advance a runner to third base when softball hitting.

Procedure: First, second, and third baseman are in place and a runner is on second. The outfielders are behind the cage at home, with one hitter hitting while the others wait in line. Hitters and runners should wear helmets. A coach is on the mound behind an L-shaped screen, either throwing or feeding the pitching machine. The hitter hits the ball to the right side of the diamond to move the runner to third base. Mix in a few drag or push bunts to advance the runner.

Purpose:To learn how to tag up at first and third and advance in a game situation, focusing on the basics of base running.

Procedure: Runners are on first and third and fielders are in position in the outfield and infield. A coach at home plate hits fly balls to the outfield and runners take leads and react to the ball hit by the coach. Runners read the catch and then break for the next base as the outfielder makes the proper throw. The pitcher then backs up at home plate.

Purpose: To practice executing sacrifice bunts and base running.

Procedure: Players form a bunting line at home, and running lines of three players are at first and third. On defense, use a pitcher and catcher or a machine and several fielders to retrieve the balls. The fielders are close to home to field bunts and return the balls to the pitcher. The bunter must successfully bunt the first strike and then run to first in the running lane. Failure to bunt successfully or to stay in the running lane means that the player must continue running to right field as a penalty. If the bunter executes everything correctly, she joins the running line after touching first base. The runner on first goes when she sees that the bunt is angled down. On approaching second base she looks to see if third is open and hits the inside of the base on her turn. She then joins the line at third. The runner at third takes a lead in foul territory and breaks for home when she is sure the bunt is down.

Purpose: To practice maintaining a balanced position after leading off, a good drill to teach part of the basics of base running.

Procedure: A pitcher uses second base as the mound and throws easily to a catcher near the pitcher's rubber. All runners are on the outfield foul line and use it as the base. They lead off on the pitcher's motion, take three steps, and assume a well-balanced position, ready to go either direction. They then react to the coach's command of "Back" or "Go." On "Go," they run three to four steps and then return to the foul line to repeat the drill. Run the drill on both foul lines so that runners becomes accustomed to watching the pitcher's release from both sides.

Purpose: To practice picking up the coach's signal when running from first to third, which makes this drill great for softball coaching.

Procedure: The drill uses a right fielder, second baseman (for relay), and catcher. Runners line up behind first. The coach fungo hits to the right fielder. The runner assumes a three-step leadoff before the hit. On the hit, the runner approaches second and looks to the third-base coach for the signal to stop or continue to third. If stopped, the runner makes an aggressive turn and finds the ball. She returns to the end of the line, and the next runner goes.

Purpose: This drill for coaching softball is to improve and familiarize the player's reaction to the coach's verbal cues.

Procedure: The team is divided into two groups. One of the groups is in a line at home plate and the other in a line at second base. One coach is at first base and one coach is at third base. Upon a signal given by one of the coaches, the first person in each line runs to the base ahead of her. The runner looks to pick up the coach's physical and verbal cues on whether to stay at that base, advance, or any other baserunning situations. When both runners have finished their route, the next two runners will begin when given the signal. This sequence continues for as long as desired.

Purpose: To develop the agility and quickness to escape a rundown in girls fastpitch softball.

Procedure: In staggered rows, players assume well-balanced positions as if between bases. The coach faces the players and gives hand signals to indicate the direction in which players move. The signals are right, left, down, and up. Players shuffle to the side on right and left signals. On the down signal they quickly hit the ground. Players should be absolutely flat. On the up signal they get up quickly to be ready to go again. In a rundown, players use the prone position to trip the defensive player.

Purpose: This drill is for softball sliding and is used more with kids. One of the biggest hurdles for learning how to slide is figuring out how far away from the base you should begin to slide. Get low helps the players gauge the proper distances for them.

Procedure:The youngster gets into her ready base-running stance at first base. The two coaches position themselves in front of second base, each holding one end of a broom at about stomach level. On a coach's command, the runner breaks for second base. As she nears the broom, she drops into her slide, at which point the two coaches raise the brom so the player's hands don't touch it. Give the youngster feedback on her technique. If she ends up too far away from the bag, move closer to it and tell her to begin her slide a step or two later next time.

Purpose: This drill teaches players the basics of base running and allows them to practice techniques for running to first, including developing quickness out of the batter's box.

Procedure: This drill requires a batter, feeder, and five scattered defensive receivers. The remaining players rotate running to first. The first-base running lane needs to be drawn. The batter-base runner hits a ball off a soft toss or a machine and focuses on getting quickly out of the box. She heads to the center of the running lane. She takes a brief look and decides whether to make a turn for second or run straight through the base, pulling up short as soon as she hits the bag. The coach can use chalk lines or a cone as a reminder of when to look briefly at the play. The runner rotates to the first-base coaching box to see if the next runner touches the front half of the base. She then rotates to the end of the line at home.