Fast Pitch Softball Drills – Knockdowns

Purpose: This is a drill for softball pitching to simulate a ball hit hard back to the pitcher off their shins or elsewhere on their bodies.

Procedure: The pitchers line up at the mound area, and the first pitcher up begins about 2 feet in front of the mound, facing home plate. A receiver is at first base ready for the throw from the pitcher. A coach stands close to the pitcher with a ball. The pitcher closes her eyes, and the coach gently tosses a ball off the pitcher's body. The pitcher must find the ball, scoop it up with two hands, and get into position to throw to first. The pitcher surrounds the ball so it is on the back foot as when fielding a bunt. Each pitcher fields 10 balls.