Purpose: To practice adjusting the glove position depending on the location of the ball and works on softball catching skills.

Procedure: The player starts with the glove above the head at twelve o'clock with the fingers pointed up. If the glove is on the left hand, the player makes a circle clockwise to three o'clock, then six o'clock, and continuing around while keeping the pocket of the glove open just like she would if she were catching the ball. The player keeps the elbows bent and the glove close to the body in a catching position. For right-handers, at three o'clock the fingers should still be pointed up. As the hand drops below the waist, the fingers slowly rotate down until they all point directly down at five o'clock. As the hand crosses the midline of the body at six o'clock, the hand rotates over to a backhand position (balls caught on the side of the body opposite the glove are caught backhanded). The player rotates the thumb down toward the ground, keeping the palm open to the ball. At nine o'clock, the fingers once again rotate to an upward position. When the player is used to proper positioning, a partner tosses her balls to catch in various locations.

Purpose: To learn how to read the ball in the dirt and react to the play in order to work on the basics of base running.

Procedure: Divide the players equally at first, second, and third base. Runners take primary leads and then secondary leads as the coach throws to the catcher. The runners read to ball to see if it will be in the dirt and they advance if they can.

Purpose: To teach proper overhand softball throwing mechanics and to strengthen the arm.

Procedure: Form two lines of players directly across from each other, around 10 feet apart. The players should be down on one knee, with the glove-side knee up. The player with the ball grips the ball, and starts by bringing the ball down, brushing her thumb across her outer midtigh. At the same time, she points her glove hand toward the target while opening her shoulders. When she brings the ball up behind the body the thrower extends the throwing arm in a line that connects the glove hand (which is extended toward the target), the opened shoulders, and the ball in the throwing hand. Once the ball is behind the body in the straight line described above, the player cocks her wrist and points the ball in the opposite direction of where she is throwing. If the player turns her head to look at her throwing hand she should see the back of her hand. Then the player will bring her arm forward, leading with the elbow. After she releases the ball the player should follow through so that her wrist relaxes after snapping the ball and her arm falls to the opposite hip. Players throw for 2-3 minutes.

Purpose: To improve the softball infield, especially the middle infielder's, footwork when fielding balls hit up the middle or in the hole.

Procedure: Set up cones to the right and left of the fielder. Place the cones around three steps behind and four steps to the side of the fielder. One tosser (or coach) per two players usually works best. Make the fielder begin in ready position facing the tosser, who rolls ground balls to the outside of the cones. The fielder has to take a drop step back with the foot on the ball side and then turn and sprint around the cone to the spot. The objective in this drill is to cut the ball off and make sure it doesn't get through the infield. By taking an angle the player allows the ball to travel farther, which gives herself more time to get to it. The fielder can throw the ball back to the tosser or put it in a bucket. Finally, switch fielders on each ball, and make each player field 10-15 balls.

Purpose: To learn awareness and the basics of base running when running from home plate to first base.

Procedure: A player stands at home plate, with the bat in hand. Other players line up behind her. A coach is in the infield grass between third base and shortstop. The player swings, crosses over out of the box, and heads down the line toward first base. On her third step, she glances at the coach. If the coach holds up one arm, the players runs through the base but if the coach holds up two arms, she veers out because the ball went through the infield.

Purpose: To practice footwork and glove work for balls hit over the player's head or balls dropping in front of the player. This drill teaches players how to catch a softball.

Procedure: Partners stand 30 feet apart with one ball. One of the players is the worker and the other player is the helper. The helper starts by throwing a shoestring catch ball for the worker. The worker has to charge in, field the ball, and throw it back. The worker then breaks back and the helper throws a ball that the worker has to catch while running back. The worker makes the catch, throws it to the helper, and charges in. The helper has to continue the drill, throwing balls up and then back. Let the worker work until a certain numbers of plays have been completed, then rotate the players.

Purpose: To recognize when to run the ball and toss it to first base instead of throwing it to first base. This skill is normally used when no one is on base, and the batter is not a slapper. A good drill for defense of softball pitching.

Purpose: To develop communication among the outfield defense and to practice fielding fly balls and grounders.

Procedure: Place the outfielders in their right positions. A fungoer will hit from home or near the pitcher's mound. The fungoer hits fly balls and grounders in between each fielder. One fielder calls the ball, and the other moves to back her up. The fielders can either toss the balls into a bucket or throw them back to a receiver. Perform for 10-15 minutes or until adequate repititions are completed.

Purpose: To practice the basics of base running and learn the proper techniques of stealing home.

Procedure: The runner takes a stealing lead from third while focusing on the pitcher. The pitcher winds up and throws to the catcher. A hitter at home shows bunt. Make sure to go through this setup several times, then let the runner attempt to steal home.

Purpose: To teach the sidearm throw to the softball infield, used primarily by the middle infielders for short distance throws of about 10-15 feet.

Procedure: Two players stand around 5-8 feet apart, facing opposite directions but on the same plane (like on a foul line). Both players are in the ready position. One player, in a corner ready position (ready position for first and third basemen) drops the ball in front of her. She picks the ball up with both hands and releases it with a sidearm motion to her partner. The standing partner receives the ball at chest height. After receiving the ball, the player gets into the corner ready position and repeats the sidearm throw back to her partner. Increase the distance between players as control is gained and have each player make 10 sidearm throws the right way.