VARIATIONS
Throw the counter-clockwise: instead of throwing to 3rd base, then 2nd, then 1st, and back home, go the other direction. This is a different pivot, requiring different footwork.
Follow your throw: Have players follow their ball to give players more of a workout during the drill. So when the player at home starts the drill off by throwing to 3rd, they will then follow their throw and run to the back of the line at 3rd base.
More balls: add in another ball or two to speed up the drill and make it more challenging
4 One-Hops: instead of a regular throw, have the players one-hop the ball to each other. It's easier to have them make it a LONG hop instead of a short hop. Have them focus on giving a good hop to their teammate while the receiver is focusing on good fielding technique and footwork.
2 One-Hops: you can also do the one-hop drill, but have the person fielding the one-hop make a regular throw to the next base so that they are fielding the ball and making a throw. So you'd have the person at home one-hop the ball to 3rd, the person at 3rd field the ball and make a regular throw to 2nd, then have that person throw a one-hop to the player at 1st and that player fields the one-hop and makes a regular throw home. I would highly suggest having player follow their ball in this one so everyone gets a chance to field the one-hops and make a throw or simply alternate what you do first (i.e. start with a regular throw between home and 3rd, then go with the short hop between 3rd and 2nd).
Obviously you can use these variations in combination with each other or even all at the same time (go counter-clockwise, have the players follow their throw, use an additional ball, and do one-hops). WOW!
My Own Fly Ball
Here's one you can incorporate right into your daily throwing warm-up. After the players are warm, have one line back-up so everyone is throwing farther than the base path (*note: adjust the distance for younger age groups). Start all the balls with the players lined-up on the foul line.
Have one player call out a "Ready, Go!" or some other indicator to start.
One the players call, the entire line throws their ball up in the air over their own head to simulate a fly ball. In other words, they are throwing a pop up to themselves.
When the ball comes down, the catch it and fire it over to their partner.
Things to look for...
Proper catching technique: Don't allow players to basket catch the ball or catch it down by their stomach. Everyone should be catching the ball up above them and out in front. Encourage the use of two hands on the catch.
Proper Positioning: Players should throw the ball up high enough to allow themselves time to get into proper position for the catch. If they need to move back or forward, make sure they are moving their feet and not just staying planted and reaching for the ball behind them or out to the side.
All players should be stepping to the ball with their glove foot on the catch. They should not catch the ball with their feet next to each other or with their throwing foot forward. Catching the ball with feet side by side or the wrong foot forward will result in a slower, weaker transition into the throw. The step with the glove foot should land just before the catch is made. Just as a player should step to the ball on a regular catch (throw being made to them), they should step to the ball on a fly ball or pop-up catch as well especially if they have a throw to make immediately following the catch.
Proper Throwing Technique: You may also looking for proper throwing technique after the catch, but this drills is primarily to give the players reps catching fly balls/pop ups with correct positioning, footwork, and catching technique. Encourage players to keep the ball down on their throw, not throw it way up in the sky as younger players may tend to do. Again, depending on skill level, you may want to focus on one aspect at a time and not bombard your players with feedback on EVERYTHING at once.
The Triangle Drill
Split your fielders up into 3 even groups and put them at the points of the triangle.Coach stands at point #3.
Coach hits the ball to fielder at point 1.
Fielder at point 1 throws to player at point 2.
Player at point 2 catches the ball and throws to the player standing next to the coach at point 3.
Players follow their ball after they make a throw. (player standing next to the coach will run to point 1 after receiving the ball from point 2 and giving it to the coach).
Repeat until all players back into their original spots. Of course, you can make them go more than one round if you wish.
For the drill described above the ball will go in a clockwise direction around the triangle. You can also reverse the direction and have the player practice their footwork for getting the ball around the triangle in the counter-clockwise direction.
You may also vary the distance of the players. Bring them in closer for practice with quick short throws. Move them away to practice footwork for longer throws.
Ball First
This softball drill is basically to get the girls focused on stopping the ball when it's coming to them. In this softball drill, eliminate the throw entirely so that their only focus is stopping that ball. Make sure they are approaching the ball well. Make sure they are using proper fielding technique and footwork. Emphasize these things and most of all, emphasize stopping the ball!
You can't do anything on defense unless the control the ball.
Since the players won't be making a throw, they can concentrate fulling on fielding technique. Then simply have them run the ball over to a bucket and run back in line to field again.
Of course, where you place the bucket is up to you. If you only have a few players in the drill you'll probably want to keep it close so you the flow of the drill isn't interrupted by the players having to run over and drop the ball off. If you have more players you can move the bucket further away to keep the players moving and make the drill physically challenging.
Teaching the Relay
Before putting your team through this drill explain:
- What a relay is
- What the purpose of a relay is
- When a relay is used
- What the role of each part of the relay is
- How to properly execute each part
Hit the ball to the outfielder and have your team relay the ball in. Each player in the each group should get a chance to execute their role (outfield/cut/receive) before you rotate the groups.
Things to Emphasize:
Outfield role: proper catching/throwing technique, accurate throw through the cut
Cut role: getting lined up, proper body position and calling for the ball from the outfielder, getting into proper catching position upon catch, moving to get the ball if necessary, making quick accurate throw so receiver can make a tag on the runner (keep the ball low, chest high is not where we want this throw).
Receive role: help cut line up, call for the ball, proper positioning on bag and for making the catch, quickly apply a secure tag on the runner, moving to make the catch if necessary
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