Fastpitch Softball Grounder Drills – Diving

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.