Softball Hitting Drills – Bunt-Drill Batting Practice

PURPOSE: To improve bunting technique. This drill is an excellent motivator for perfecting bunting skills. This drill will help coaches during games in coaching softball

PROCEDURE: Equipment needed are three cones, batting helmets, gloves, balls, bats. Set up three cones on the third-base line about 5 feet from home plate. Place one cone on the line and the others two feet and four feet at the fair territory beside the first cone. The coach will then pitch the ball. The batter squares to bunt, trying to bunt the ball between the two outside cones. Award one extra swing during regular batting practice if the batter bunts the ball between the two outside cones. The batter earns two extra swings for knocking down the middle cone. The coach can widen the cones depending on the age of the players or the team's skill, Positive reinforcement is importart in this drill.

VARIATION: Put an object such as a cone, extra glove, or bucket five to six feet from the foul line; the coach pitches to the hitter, who tries to drag bunt or slap hit the ball between the foul line and the object. Award five points if the player is successful, deduct five points if the ball reaches the mound. If the ball goes foul, no points are subtracted or added. This encourages the batter to bunt the ball either perfectly or foul.