Purpose: To improve softball catchers' technique in throwing to third base on a pickoff.

Procedure: Wearing her equipment, the catcher takes her proper stance behind home plate for a situation in which a runner is on third base. A coach stands halfway between the pitching mound and home plate and throws balls to the catcher. A right-handed catcher should use the "replace-feet" technique as she throws to third base. The catcher should use the raking technique to bring the ball to a throwing position and make a strong throw to third base.

Purpose: To improve the softball throwing mechanics and throwing accuracy of the infielder.

Procedure: The catcher, first baseman, and third baseman are at their respective bases, while the second baseman and shortstop are at their defensive positions. The ball should be thrown continuously in the following sequence: catcher to first baseman, first baseman to third baseman, third baseman to second base with the second baseman covering the base, second baseman to catcher, catcher to second base with the shortstop covering the base, shortstop to third baseman, and third baseman to catcher.

Purpose: To isolate the arms in order to focus on the proper use of both arms and on the arms working in opposition. This drill works on the important softball throwing mechanics.

Procedure: Partners take positions 15 feet apart and kneel on the leg of the throwing-arm side. The other leg is bent with the foot flat on the ground. The thrower points her glove at the target and throws using proper arm action. The receiver catches the ball and repeats the action.

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 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.

Purpose: To create gamelike defensive situation and to work on the softball throwing mechanics. This drill also provides baserunning practice and conditioning for runners.

Procedure: Place the defensive players, including the catcher, in their positions (a pitcher is optional). Extra players should run with helmets on. Next, create defensive situations by placing runners at a certain base to begin the inning. The coach fungos from home plate, and the runners and defense play it out like they would in a game. Play the innings out or just keep repeating a certain situation until it is mastered. Perform this drill for 20-30 minutes.

Purpose: To execute backhand flips off hit balls, a great drill to teach players a part of the softball throwing mechanics.

Procedure: Two lines of fielders stand about 10 feet apart facing the hitter. A hitter hits a ball to the first player in the fielding line. The fielder flips the ball to a teammate at the front of the opposite line, who throws to a catcher near the hitter. The catcher feeds the hitter so that the drill continues rapidly.

Purpose: This drill works on sofball throwing mechanics by having players develop throwing accuracy when throwing on the run.

Procedure: Partners in two lines face each other 60 feet apart. Make sure players are well spread apart so that an errant throw does not hit anyone. One partner does a self-toss and then runs hard at her partner for three to five steps and makes a chest-high throw. The thrower returns to her original position, and the partner repeats the drill going the opposite direction. To make the drill realistic, players should run at the speed they will use in a game.

Purpose: The W-drill is for softball pitching and designed to condition pitchers in the area of fielding the bunt, making a firm throw and mental toughness.

Purpose: Draw a giant "W" in the dirt – stand on the pitching rubber and draw the "W" facing you. The pitcher will then throw a pitch to a catcher, then drive off the mound to her right and field a rolled ground ball or bunt from the batter's box area and make a firm throw to first base, then backpedal full speed back to the pitching rubber. Then the pitcher will throw her second pitch and drive downhill and field a rolled ball at the top of the "W" and make a firm throw to second base, then backpedal full speed back to the pitching rubber. Then the pitcher will throw her third pitch and drive downhill and field a rolled ball to her left and make a firm throw to third base, then backpedal full speed back to pitching rubber. The second pitcher will then toe the rubber and start her round, then the third pitcher, etc. This rotation continues until the conditioning session is over. This is a full speed drill the entire time. The only time for pitchers to rest is when they are on standby before toeing the rubber.

Purpose: To teach the softball infield the flip used as a throw when players are within close range of the target and on the backhand side. Using this technique ensures that the ball will not be overthrown.

Procedure: The players are in corner ready position. Player one drops the ball straight down, close to the middle of her body. With knees bent and chest parallel to the ground, she scoops up the ball with both hands and places it in her throwing hand. She then lifts her elbow so that the tricep is parallel with her back and the arm forms a 90-degree angle at the elbow. She extends her hand toward her partner, flipping the ball in her partner's direction at waist height. The partner in turn drops the ball and flips it back. Players should flip the ball to each other 15-30 times or until the skill is mastered.