Several times a week, you gather your team together for practice. These practices are aimed at helping your players learn new skills and sharpen existing ones, setting your team up for better in-game performance.
Therefore, selecting the right drills and simulated game scenarios for your practices is an essential task. We have developed a sample softball practice plan to keep your practices organized, efficient, and challenging.
Part 1: Warm up (10 minutes)
Jog: Run a jog around the field for 6-7 minutes.
High knees: Set up cones on the field. Have players execute high knees back and forth.
Walking lunges: Players will reach one leg forward and squat down
Arm/shoulder circles: Extend arms to the side in a “T” position, roll back and forth in small circles.
Wrist rotations: Rotate hands until palms are facing upwards. Hold for 10-15 seconds.
Crossbody stretch: Cross one arm over the chest. Use the other hand to grasp the outer forearm and gently press it closer toward the chest.
Part 2: Slingshot Pitch (15 mins)
Set up: One player will start on the pitching rubber. Line up other players behind. Each player will have their own glove and ball.
How to:
The starting player will have both hands in front of their body.
To begin the arm motion of a “slingshot,” the player will pull their pitching arm straight back (ideally forming a straight line with their shoulders).
Immediately, the pitching arm will be “released” by swinging their arm forward in a half-circle motion.
When the pitching arm comes forward and reaches the player’s hip, they will release the ball, snapping at their wrist.
Part 3: Batting Tee Drill (15 mins)
Set up: Adjust your batting tee to the average height of your players (this can be adjusted easily between turns). Line up your players. Each player will have a bat.
How to:
The first batter will start in a narrow stance
They will slowly raise their front leg while balancing the weight on their back leg.
After they have gained balance, they will step forward (planting their front leg on the ground) and swing.
Note: Executing a leg lift helps players understand the feeling of generating power with their legs, ultimately developing more powerful swings.
Each player will take 3 swings before rotating to the next player in line.
Part 4: Ground balls (10 mins)
Set up: Pair up players across the field. One player in each pair will have a ball. Both players will have gloves.
How to:
The player with the ball will start first. They will roll it to their partner, either to their left or right.
The fielder will assume a “ready” position (feet will be slightly wider than shoulder width, knees will be slightly bent, and weight over the balls of their feet).
Fielder will break for the ball, pick it up (as quickly as possible), and throw it back to their partner.
After 5 reps, pairs will switch roles.
Part 5: Knee- Tap Bunting (15 mins)
Set up: Pair up your players anywhere on the field. One will assume the position of a batter while the other player assumes the position of a pitcher.
How to:
Batter will start in an upright hitting position: back straight, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and weight balanced on both feet.
Pitcher will toss the ball toward the batter.
Before the ball arrives, the batter will tap one knee to the ground and execute a bunt. *Right-hand batter will tap their right knee and vice-versa.
Run this drill 4-5 times before players switch positions.
*Practicing a one-knee bunt enables players to focus on mastering upper body mechanics (hands, arms, and eyes), which are the most critical movements when bunting.
Part 6: Situational Scrimmage (20 mins)
Each inning will start with a pre-set scenario, challenging players to think strategically. I.e, Runner on 3rd, 1 out or Corners in, runner on 1st, etc..
Players will have to leverage their softball IQ to respond under pressure to each situation. For example:
Runner on 3rd: Players will score a runner from 3rd by bunting the ball (squeeze play) or by executing a fly ball to the outfield (sac fly)
Corners in, runner on 1st: A defense bunt will be executed (instead of swinging).
Part 7: Cool Down (10 mins)
Hamstring Stretch: Stand with feet hip-width apart and slowly bend at the hips.
Calf Stretch: Face the wall with one leg touching and the other extended behind.
Shoulder Stretch: Bring one arm across the body. With the opposite hand, gently pull the arm toward the body.
Tricep Stretch: Raise one arm overhead and bend at the elbow so the hand is touching the opposite shoulder blade.
Lower Back Stretch: Start in a kneeling position and sit back on your heels while extending your arms forward.
Hip Rotator Stretch: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Cross one ankle over the opposite knee, pulling the uncrossed leg toward the chest.
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Notre Dame Academy
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FAQs — Softball Practice Plan
How can I customize these softball practice plans for my team?
You can adjust the drills and their duration to fit your team’s skill level and specific areas of improvement.
Can I use these plans for different age groups?
Yes, these practice plans can be adapted for various age groups by modifying the intensity and complexity of the drills.
What are the essential elements of a softball practice plan?
A comprehensive softball practice plan should include a dynamic warm-up, fundamental skill-building drills, situation-specific exercises, practice games, and the integration of training aids. Each component is designed to enhance the physical and tactical abilities of the players, ensuring they are game-ready and continually improving.
How often should I change the drills in my softball practice plan?
To keep practices engaging and to challenge your players continuously, it’s advisable to modify drills and the focus of practice sessions every few weeks. This helps prevent boredom, keeps the players mentally stimulated, and ensures that various aspects of their game are being developed.
How can SkillShark help in creating more effectivesoftball practice plans?
SkillShark provides customizable practice plan templates and real-time evaluation tools that allow coaches to tailor their sessions based on the team’s needs and individual player performance. The app’s intuitive design makes it easy to organize, track, and adjust practices, making each session as effective as possible.
Danielle Stringer
Danielle is a dynamic content marketer with a unique blend of creativity and analytical expertise. She is driven by her passion for helping companies scale through lead generation, always finding distinctive ways to connect with her audience. Drawing from her extensive background in B2B SaaS, she is thrilled to apply her skills and knowledge in her current role at SkillShark Software Inc.