Softball Fielding Drills – Triangle Helping Drill

Purpose: To develop and sharpen the infielders technique of fielding the three most common types of ground balls hit toward his position.

Procedure: Equipment required is three Softball. Three locations exist at which a ground ball may be hit toward an infielder; directly at him, to his backhand side, or to his glove side. The softball fielding drill begins with an infielder standing in the ready position. The right-handed infielder should place his left foot slightly forward of the right foot while he keeps his feet shoulder width apart. Three balls are placed on the ground in front of the player. One softball is placed 10 to 15 feet directly in front of him. A second softball is placed 10 to 15 feet to his right, and a third softball is placed 10 to 15 feet to his left On the coach's command, the infielder should step with his right foot and move to field the ball that is directly in front of him (position #1). He should round the ball as he simulates fielding the ball hit directly at him. Rounding his path toward the ball hit directly at him allows the infielder to continue moving in the direction of his subsequent throw to first base. After completing the simulated fielding of the ball that is placed directly in front of him, the infielder should drop step with his right foot and pivot to his right to field the ball originally placed to his right in position #2. When fielding the softball that is placed in position #2, the infielder is practicing his backhand fielding technique. To simulate the backhand fielding technique, the infielder should place his right foot to the right of the ball and keep his left foot rearward.

The infielder should squat low while rotating The elbow of the glove-hand outward. He should then simulate the backhand of the ball in position #2 and fake the throw to first base. After faking the throw to first base, the infielder should open his hips to the left and pivot toward the ball located in position #3. He should then move to simulate the fielding of the ball taking care to again round his path toward the softball. He places his left toot to the inside of the ball as he simulates scooping the ball. He should form the letter C as he brings the glove to his chest and cocks the shoulders to throw the ball. Forming the "C" helps the player get his feet and body around before he simulates the throw to first base.