Defensive Team Drills

Defensive Team Drills

By: Yvette Girouard

Excerpt from The Softball Drill Book - Provided by Human Kinetics

Purpose
To increase repetitions and keep each player moving as fielders make plays at every base

Organization
Use a standard infield setup with a defender at each position, excluding the pitcher. Two coaches are needed to hit ground balls from either side of the batter's boxes. A catcher is needed for each coach. A number is assigned to each position on the field: pitcher (1), catcher (2), first baseman (3), second baseman (4), third baseman (5), and SS (6).

Execution
This drill is divided into four rounds. Hit 10 to 12 balls per round before advancing to the next round. In each round, coaches 1 and 2 hit ground balls to the two infield positions. For rounds 1 through 4, list the infield positions being targeted for each round. The positional players are to make the force or tag play at the position shared in the round. The four rounds are as follows:

• Round 1: 5-6, 6-5 /4-3, 3-4 ("tweeners")
• Round 2: 4-6, 6-4 /5-3, 3-5
• Round 3: 6-3, 3-6 /4-5, 5-4
• Round 4: Double Plays

Variations
Round 1 ground balls can be hit randomly between the two positions (third baseman and SS, second baseman and first baseman) so that defenders communicate as they field. A special round can be created to include the catcher (2-5, 5-2 / 2-3, 3-2). This provides a chance for the SS and second baseman to catch their breaths.

Coaching Points
Infielders should be light on the balls of their feet, charging the ball whenever possible. Middle infielders should use j-cuts and angles on balls hit to their left and right. Receivers must show a target on their throwing shoulder. After receiving the ball, players allow one step and then throw the ball in to the coach's assigned catcher. This drill requires concentration because two balls are being hit simultaneously.

Purpose
To work on player communication during high pop-up or shallow fly-ball situations

Organization
The field will be split in half, down the middle from centerfield all the way to the catcher. Players assume their normal fielding positions. The right side of the defense works together, and the left side of the defense does the same. One coach stands in the left-handed batter's box, and another coach is in the right.

Execution
From the batter's boxes, coaches throw high pop-ups and shallow fly balls to the side of the field they're assigned to. Players work together as a unit, focusing on using good communication to field the ball.

Variations
You can use two centerfielders at once, as well as two pitchers and catchers, just as long as each one knows which side of the field she's working with. Once all players complete the desired number of pop-ups and shallow fly balls with the split field, the defense can come together and do the drill as a unit, with one coach throwing from home plate. If the coach is skilled enough, she might want to actually hit fungos for the fly balls and pop-ups to add to the difficulty of the drill. Balls thrown directly against the wind and directly into the line of the sun are especially

Coaching Points
When possible, run this drill on bright and sunny days with strong winds. This will challenge the defense to communicate and stay with the play until it's complete. On windy days, stress that the part of the field where the ball begins to come down might not be where it actually lands. All positions must be ready to make the play if weather conditions are severe.

Rundowns

Purpose
To secure an out in a defensive situation in which a runner is caught between two bases

Organization
Divide your team into three equal groups (1, 2, and 3). The rundown will occur between 1B and 2B. Group 1 starts at 1B, group 2 starts at 2B, and group 3 runs the bases. One player from groups 1 and 2 assumes the role of the defensive player (DP1 and DP2). One runner from group 3 assumes the role of the base runner (R). The coach tosses the ball to DP1 or DP2 to initiate the rundown.

Execution
DP1 runs toward R, carrying the ball above her throwing shoulder in a dart-like tossing position. She should establish a throwing lane with her receiver, DP2. DP1 makes an effort to tag R; if she does, the drill stops and DP1, DP2, and R go to the end of the line after rotating to the next group. The next players in line then step forward. If DP1 makes an effort to tag R but cannot, she should then make a dart-like throw to DP2. DP1 follows her throw and moves to the back of the line at 2B. Players continue this rotation, following their throws and moving to the end of the receiving line until R has been tagged out. The fewer the throws, the better.

The drill resumes with the coach's toss. Once all base runners have had a turn running, groups rotate, each taking a new role. Group 1 players become base runners. Group 2 players move to 1B. Group 3 players become defensive players at 2B. Groups rotate until all players have had the chance to be base runners.

Coaching Points
When receiving the ball in a rundown, the defensive player should step to the ball as she catches. This closes the distance between herself and the runner and makes it easier to run the runner down. Have base runners wear helmets for safety When first working on rundowns, use softie balls until the defensive players and base runners can do the drill with confidence; then move to a real ball. It's important that the defensive player stay under control while running toward the base runner, but she must move at good speed to make the runner commit in a retreating direction. All tags should be done with two hands to ensure that the ball doesn't pop out of the glove.