Purpose:To develop the basic mechanics for softball fielding a ground ball and following with an accurate throw.

Procedure:A bucket of softballs, gloves, cones TIME.Set up two cones 8 to 15 feet apart depending on he age and ability of players.One player stands between the cones.Another player serves as backup.The coach throws grounders between the cones, and the player tries to stop the ball with his glove before it gets behind him, just as a hockey goalie would sweep away a puck.Award a point for every tall the player stops.Coaches can practice this drill with either a predetermined number of throws to each player or with a time limit.Once done, the fielder moves to the back of the line, the backup becomes the fielder, and the next person in line becomes the backup.This is one of the few drills that teaches players to stop the ball rather than catch it.This softball fielding drill also emphasizes the importance of keeping the bail in front of the body if it is mishandled or dropped.

Purpose: To practice bunting the top half of the ball with the bottom half of the bat.

Procedure: Cut the barrel of the bat in half down to the handle.Hold the bat with the flat side facing the sky. You have only the bottom half of the barrel of the bat to make contact. Concentrate on bunting the top half of the ball. You're using half of a bat to bunt the ball.

Purpose: During a softball pitching session, accomplish the many variations. First work on the proper techniques, then loosen the arm up, progress to long toss, and conclude with specialties.

Purpose: To develop the softball throwing accuracy and strength to make the throw from third base to first base

Purpose : To develop softball throwing accuracy and to provide a game to break up practice.

Procedure:

Equipment: A bucket of softballs, four to six cones.

Time: 6 to 8 minutes.

1.    Depending on the number of players, set up four to six cones about 50 feel apart from one another.
2.    Divide the team into three groups. Each group throws toward its own cone.
3.    Station one coach or parent with each group.
4.    Each team's goal is to knock down its cone with the fewest throws possible.
5.    The first person in each group throws the ball at the cone. The ball is left where it lands.
6.    The second player in each group throws at the cone.
7.    As in a foursome in a golf game, the player whose ball is farthest from the cone after the first throw is the first to make the second attempt from where his first throw tended.
8. Again as in golf, each player keeps track of the number of throws it takes to knock over the cone.
9. After each group is finished, Ihe players rotate to the next cone (or hole).

Purpose: To learn how to steal third base and work on the basics of base running.

Procedure: A pitcher is on the mound and three runners are at second base. The pitcher comes to a set position and goes through her routine (one look or two looks, etc). The runners read the pitcher, slide up the baseline with a secondary lead, and steal third.

Purpose: To work on softball pitching accuracy and to make it fun for the pitchers.

Procedure: This game can be played with two or more pitchers and a catcher. The object of the game is to throw ten strikes. The first pitcher throws as many balls as it takes to get to ten called strikes. The next pitcher then has to try to beat that number by throwing fewer pitches to get to ten strikes. The catcher is the judge in this drill.

Purpose: To improve the head-first softball sliding technique.

Procedure: All the players are at home plate and the manager is in the left field on the edge of the outfield grass. The coach has a full bucket of balls and the head coach is near the second base, and the assistant coach is in the coach's box at first base. The first runner has to run to first base and gets a signal by the assistant coach to turn and look to see if it's possible to move to second base. As the runner rounds first base, the runner spots the manager in left field. The manager is holding a ball. If the manager drops the ball, the runner moves to second base and does a bent-leg slide but if the manager brings the ball back in a throwing motions and acts like the ball is actually going to be thrown to first base, the runner hurries and returns to first base and does a head-first slide.

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 practice blocking low pitches or balls in the dirt for softball catchers. This is a key skill drill for catchers, with the benefit of providing a good conditioning element as well.

Procedure: Catchers can work with another catcher or a coach serving as a tosser. The catcher, in full gear, starts in the ready position for receiving a pitch. The tosser stands approximately 20 feet in front of her. The tosser begins by throwing a ball in the dirt (or on the ground if working inside) directly at the catcher. The catcher should drop to both knees as her glove drops, palms up, directly between her legs. At the same time, she should drop the chin to the chest and round the shoulders, creating an enclosure. The ball should stay in front of the catcher. Each catcher blocks two sets of 5 or 10 balls.