Purpose: A drill for the fastpitch softball defense which improves outfield decision making about whether to go for the lead runner or the batter.

Procedure: Use a full defense minus the pitcher with runners at home and first going on the hit. A runner at home starts on the right side of the plate out of the hitter's way and goes on contact to make the play realistic. She runs to first and joins the line there. The hitter hits various types of balls to the outfield. The fielder must decide whether to go for the lead runner or throw behind her and stop the second runner. Move runners to different starting positions and vary the types of balls played.

Purpose: To practice picking up the coach's signal when running from first to third, which makes this drill great for softball coaching.

Procedure: The drill uses a right fielder, second baseman (for relay), and catcher. Runners line up behind first. The coach fungo hits to the right fielder. The runner assumes a three-step leadoff before the hit. On the hit, the runner approaches second and looks to the third-base coach for the signal to stop or continue to third. If stopped, the runner makes an aggressive turn and finds the ball. She returns to the end of the line, and the next runner goes.

Purpose: To feel the various elements of the swing and develop muscle memory of swing components when softball hitting.

Procedure: The drill uses a partner or a bat handle attached to a fence with surgical cord. The batter assumes the batting stance. The partner stands behind the batter, holds the top of the bat with both hands, and offers resistance as the batter strides and swings all the way through. The partner walks around the hitter, allowing the full range of motion and applying only the amount of resistance that permits a correct swing. The batter feels the importance of keeping the hands in close, using an inside-outside swing, rotating the hips, and transferring her weight to produce power.

Purpose: To practice refocusing from the pitcher to the point of contact when softball hitting.

Procedure: The batter at a T looks out at an imaginary pitcher and then refocuses on the T and takes a normal swing.

Purpose: To develop the agility and quickness to escape a rundown in girls fastpitch softball.

Procedure: In staggered rows, players assume well-balanced positions as if between bases. The coach faces the players and gives hand signals to indicate the direction in which players move. The signals are right, left, down, and up. Players shuffle to the side on right and left signals. On the down signal they quickly hit the ground. Players should be absolutely flat. On the up signal they get up quickly to be ready to go again. In a rundown, players use the prone position to trip the defensive player.

Purpose: A softball drill for the fastpitch softball defense which puts game-like pressure on the infielder or the outfielder.

Procedure: Set up for any of the defensive drills in this directory. An additional player waits off to the side of the drill. When a fielder makes a throwing or fielding error, she leaves the drill and the player who is waiting replaces her. Every time an error is made the fielder steps out and the waiting player steps in.

Purpose: Drill that teaches how to throw a softball and allows players to develop catching and throwing skills while conditioning. This drill makes efficient use of time.

Procedure: Partners are about six feet apart and play catch as they run using underhand tosses. They can run a full lap or in a straight line down the field and back. The drill develops players' catching and throwing skills and takes their minds off running.

Purpose: This drill is meant to improve your team's fastpitch softball defense by tagging out baserunners.

Procedure: Play on a field appropriate for the age group, with players at second base, third base, shortstop, and right field for the defensive team. A runner is on second base, and another runner wait in foul territory to alternate with that runner (each running every other play), making up the offensive team. Each play starts with the runner on second. A coach alternates hits between fly balls to the right fielder and grounds balls to second base and shortstop (no hits to third, as the runner wouldn't attempt to advance in such a situation). The runner attempts to advance to third on all hits – she tags up on the fly ball and runs on contact for the ground balls. The defense tries to get the runner out at third base. Award one point to the defense if the runner is tagged out. After six play, rotate the two baserunners with the two defenders.

Purpose: Softball pitching drill which promotes proper ball release and speed.

Procedure: The pitcher delivers a ball to a partner without using a forward stride. The partner can be another pitcher, so this is a good warm-up drill. The stride foot is even with the pivot foot. The pitcher pitches the ball using good hip rotation, a strong snap of the wrist, and a good follow-through, focusing on proper hip and arm mechanics. Pitchers should be aware of the danger of not rotating the hips and then throwing only with the arm.

Purpose: This drill for softball catchers is to learn blocking pitches in the dirt with their bodies rather than trying to catch the ball with their gloves.

Procedure: To practice this skill, dress your catchers in their full set of protective equipment, without their gloves, and assign each a partner. The partners throw balls in the dirt to the catchers, who must hold their hands behind their backs as they drop to their knees to block the sumulated pitches and keep them in front of the plate.