Free Girls Softball Practice Drills

Free Girls Softball Practice Drills
By guest author: Marc Dagenais


Drill 1 - Soccer Ball (Softball Hitting)

Purpose: To learn how to drive through the ball.

Procedure: Place a soccer ball on a T. If the T is an open tube, place a small bathroom plunger in the T to hold the ball or use a traffic cone and a plunger. The batter hits the soccer ball hard off the T. If she does not drive through the soccer ball, it will not explode off the bat.

Drill 2 - Football Up and Down

Purpose: To develop the agility and quickness to escape a rundown.

Procedure: In staggered rows, players assume well-balanced positions as if between bases. The coach faces the players and gives hand signals to indicate the direction in which players move. The signals are right, left, down, and up. Players shuffle to the side on right and left signals. On the down signal they quickly hit the ground. Players should be absolutely flat. On the up signal they get up quickly to be ready to go again. In a rundown, players use the prone position to trip the defensive player.

Drill 3 - Timed Throws (Softball Catchers)

Purpose: To evaluate quickness of release and speed of the throw.

Procedure: The catcher catches a pitched ball in full gear so that the drill is gamelike. The coach starts a stopwatch when the ball enters the glove and stops it when the ball is released or when the ball reaches the shortstop's glove at second base. Good times for the ball to go from glove to glove for college catchers are between 1.65 and 1.75 seconds. High school catchers should make the throw in less than 2 seconds.

Drill 4 - Wall Drill (Softball Pitching)

Purpose: To develop proper rotation of the arm.

Procedure: The pitcher throws imaginary pitches using a wall to keep the arm straight in a perfect circle. She stands perpendicular to a wall with the pitching arm close to the wall and about four inches away. The pitcher uses the full pitching motion (including the stride and the opening of the hips), keeping the arm straight and in tight so that it does not contact the wall. The pitcher walks and moves down the wall throwing imaginary pitches.

Drill 5 - Moving to the Base (Softball Infield)

Purpose: To improve quickness and range moving to first base.

Procedure: The first baseman takes a position halfway to home as if fielding a bunt. On the coach's command "go," she sprints to the base (turning inward to the diamond), finds the base, takes the receiving position, catches an imaginary ball, and tags the base. The player repeats the drills, moving ever closer to home to increase the distance and push herself to improve quickness in getting to the base.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html. Go Sign-up Now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais
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Fastpitch Front Pull Batting Drill

Fastpitch Front Pull Batting Drill
Posted on YouTube by thesportshouse

University of Houston's Christa Raley teaches the Fastpitch swing importance of front arm motion. www.thesportshouse.net

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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

Hitting Mechanics Tip - Work More - Think Less

Fastptich Hitting Mechanics Tip - Work More - Think Less
by Guest Author Nate Barnett

I texted a senior in high school who I work with on hitting mechanics, "How's the swing doing"? After a couple minutes his reply was, "I'm hitting.509 on the year... leading the state in doubles with 10... and 20 RBI's. Pretty good. In my response I asked him how he was able to stay so consistent this season. (His power numbers were inconsistent last season.) His answer was, "I don't know. Just hit everyday and work to the right side." I told him that was an awesome answer because in this case, "I don't know" is exactly where you want to be mid-season! Here's why.

If you are thinking about your hitting mechanics and what is making your body work, you cannot think about how your swing feels at the same time. In baseball, you play multiple games during the week and it's probable that your swing begins to change without you knowing it changed IF there isn't focus placed on repetition and feeling of your swing.

So when I asked him how he was able to keep consistent, his answer let me know that he wasn't spending too much time on how the movements should be (hitting mechanics) instead his focus was on how his swing felt (muscle memory). This is why he didn't really know since he was just hitting daily and working on seeing the ball deep into the strike zone. The key for him will be to remain consistent throughout the remainder of the season.

Awesome!

Nate Barnett is co-owner of The Pitching Academy. You can find The Pitching Academy's articles, blog, and videos on baseball hitting mechanics, pitching mechanics, pitching grips, and more when you visit the website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!



Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

Fastpitch Softball Hitting High and Low Pitches

Fastpitch Softball Hitting High and Low Pitches
Posted on YouTube by FastpitchTrainer

This lesson features a hitter hitting a belt high pitch and a low pitch. It demonstrates the mechanics that help you hit pitches of different height and when to make these adjustments.

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Thanks to our sponsors:

SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog

Fastpitch Softball Hitting: Bottom Hand Only Drill

Posted on YouTube by jebadoa
Coach Scott Miller demonstrates a drill for improving the front arm in the swing. Many coaches use this drill, but few use it or teach it correctly, and they actually reinforce BAD habits. Learn the proper way to teach "bottom hand" and help your hitters excell.

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Tips on Coaching Softball Hitting

Helpful Tips on Coaching Softball Hitting
By Guest Author Marc Dagenais

If you want to have a well-rounded team, you must teach them how to perform all the aspects of the game well. You should teach them how to pitch and throw the ball correctly. You should also show them how to slide. And of course, you should teach them how to hit with more power and accuracy.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of so-called hitting coaches who do not have an idea on how to teach players how to hit the ball correctly. They only tell players to do this and that but never really know if that's what the particular player really needs to improve her hitting. Worse, these coaches never show players HOW to do it.

So if you want to improve your team's hitting, here are some of my softball hitting tips for you.

Before You Teach Softball Hitting Techniques

First, you should begin by looking into each of your player's hitting technique. You could do this by letting them hit the ball several times and find out what they're doing. But if you want to be more accurate in your analysis, I strongly recommend that you videotape their swings so you can review them several times, and if possible, slow it down.

Once you've nailed down what's working and not for each of your players, you should provide each of them with feedback. It eats up your time but it's something that will truly help your team become better hitters.

But what particular areas of softball hitting should you look out for?

Teaching Your Team the Proper Softball Hitting Techniques

One of the areas you should look out for is the stance. Teaching your players the proper stance is important for several reasons. For one, it helps them to keep their balance while on the plate. Another thing is that a confident or aggressive stance can also play a significant role in the mental part of the game.

You should also teach your players how to handle the bat correctly. The tendency of most players is to choke the handle of the bat, hoping that it will provide them with better grip and control. It does provide them with better grip, but gripping the bat tightly reduces the bat and ball speed. Tell them to loosen up their grip on the bat instead.

Anticipation is also important for your players to hit the ball with greater accuracy. To improve your team's anticipation and accuracy, teach them how the track the path of the ball from the time it leaves the pitcher's hand to the time it goes within their hitting range.

All in all, it's about teaching your players the correct softball hitting mechanics. When they know how to hit the ball correctly, they will be able to do it with lesser effort but with more accuracy and power. And as a coach, there's probably nothing more you could wish for from an offensive point of view.

But you should also take a scientific approach at coaching your players in doing the correct hitting mechanics. Take the time to individually analyze the way they hit the ball so you can provide each of them with specific advice on how to improve their hitting.

Marc Dagenais is a Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to sign-up to get our FREE softball pitching tips!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais

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Dramatically Improve Your Softball Game With These Sport Specific Exercises

Dramatically Improve Your Softball Game With These Sport Specific Exercises
By Guest Author Bill Manly

It has now become accepted fact that weight training can help softball players become better. In the last decade, specific training programs have really developed. There are different training programs for each type of sport, and softball is not an exception. The weight training programs for softball players mainly focus on the core stability of a player. They serve as a base for power conditioning that is required in the game. The program takes about 4 to 6 weeks and should be combined with a complete body workout.

Unfortunately, most of the softball players lay a limit to their muscle strengthening by working out only on a specific group of muscles. However, a number of muscles should be included in the best strengthening programs. Some of the muscles that are ignored are the lower back, abdominal muscles, hip flexors, hip abductors, and hip adductors as well as all the upper body muscles. To avoid injuries connected to the game, all these muscles have to be exercised. Some of the exercises that should be combined with the softball-training program include:

The Horse Stance Exercise

Start while you are on your knees and hands, with your spine in a neutral position. The abdomen should be drawn in and the chin tucked. Then slowly raise your arm with the thumb up as well as the opposite leg. The arm and leg should be kept straight as you lift your body to a given height and hold it for about 5 to 10 seconds. After this, return the leg and the arm to the ground slowly. This should be repeated on alternating sides while you maintain optimal alignment. As you become better at this exercise, try holding it for a longer time and also include weights.

Stork Stance

The stork exercise works on core stability and balance. You stand on your left leg with the knee slightly bent. Once in this position, draw your belly button toward your spine. While extending the other leg behind you, bend at the waist. Try keeping the leg straight by forming a parallel line from the head to the toe. While maintaining this position, lift the arms so that the upper arm is parallel to the floor. The position should be maintained throughout the exercise as you repeat the exercise for each leg.

Cobra Stance

This works on the core upper, lower back and the gluteus muscles. With your face laying on the floor, the legs straight and the core and gluteus tense, squeeze the gluteus muscles and slowly retract the shoulder blades. The arms should be at the side with the thumbs facing the ceiling. Tuck the chin towards the chest as you keep the neck and spine aligned. The head should not be allowed to extend backwards. There should be slight discomfort in your lower back while you concentrate on squeezing the gluteus muscles.

If these three exercises training exercises are performed regularly, you should see dramatic results in your softball game within just four to six weeks. Keep up the training, and you will leave the competition in the dust.

Bill has been an online article writer for nearly 6 years. In addition to his normal topics of diet, fitness and weight training, you can also check out his latest website on Brother Embroidery Machines as well as Garden Tractor Tires to see reviews and product comparisons.

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