Sport Canada

Youth Softball Drills Improve Play

Repetition is the key to muscle memory, which is necessary in order to play sports at a competitive level. It is important to involve repetitive movement, but the movements must also be performed correctly. Champion-level basketball shooters, such as Bill Bradley and Dell Curry, practiced the same movements over and over again until it became second nature to them. The same philosophy applies to the game of softball and to baseball, as well. By correctly practicing youth softball drills, you will be able to play the game at the highest possible level.

For parents and coaches, it is necessary for you to know and understand youth softball drills before you can implement these drills for your players. Some of the more important of the youth softball drills are as follows: Softball conditioning drills; softball throwing drills; softball batting drills; softball fielding drills.

Youth softball leagues are springing up all over the country, which means more and more people are becoming coaches. Whether you are a volunteering parent, a first time coach, or veteren, it would be wise for you to familiarize yourself with a large variety of youth softball drills in order to improve the proficiency of your players.

• Youth Softball Base Running Drills – One of the often overlooked secrets to base running is the ability of the runners to cut the corners of the bases when rounding them and proceeding to the next base. This involves hitting the base at an angle so that your right foot cuts the bag. In that way, your left foot is on stride and heading toward the next base. You can cut down on the time it takes to circle the bases by practicing cutting the bases in this manner.

• Youth Softball Throwing Drills – One way to improve your throwing is by practicing a quick release. This can be done by lining up players at home plate, and at each base. You have the throws emanate from home plate where pitchers and catchers are located. The first line of players take their positions in the field. The catcher throws the softball to the fielder at second base, who tosses it to the third baseman, who tosses it to the first baseman, who tosses it back home to the catcher. Repeat this drill three times, and use a stop watch to note time. The team with the quickest time gets a reward.

• Youth Softball Batting Drills – One way to improve players’ hitting is to improve their ability to recognize a pitch, such as a fastball, a change up, a curve, swerve or slider. If you paint a number on the softball, the batter must concentrate and identify the number as the pitch comes to the plate. After the batter swings at the pitch, he or she must identify the number on the softball.

By implementing youth softball drills as a customary part of your practice sessions, you will be helping to elevate the abilities of your players in order for them to play softball at a higher level. Sometimes the simplest drills that build repetitive muscle memory can be the most productive and most valuable.

About the Author

By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth softball community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay has one of the most comprehensive softball drill libraries in its active softball community.

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