Softball Infield Outfield Relay Drill

Softball Throwing Towel Drill - softball drills

The relay from the outfield needs to be effortless and automatic for best success. This means that the outfielder who fields it and then throws, needs to know exactly where she is throwing to and the receiver needs to be confident and know exactly what she is doing.  This softball infield outfield relay drill will provide a quick moving execution to help to make these plays automatic and seamless.

Softball Infield Outfield Relay Drill

This drill develops both the INFIELD mechanics, OUTFIELD mechanics, and finally RELAYS to HOME.

Divide the team into 2 groups. One group lines up behind third-base. The other group lines up in deep right-center. Have an assistant coach acting as a catcher as grounders are hit to the first in line at third-base. She fields the ball and quickly makes a sharp throw to home-plate. Then hit a deep fly ball to the first in line at right-center. As this player sprints to catch the ball, the fielder that was at third-base sprints to a relay position for home-plate. The outfielder hits the now relay fielder who should be properly positioned to receive and relay the throw to home-plate.

This could also be done with the player at first base  for the left and center field positions as she is usually the cut person for many teams.  In a game situation, when a ball is coming in from the center or left to home, the runner has already rounded first base.

The cycle repeats as the infielder that was the relay joins the rear of the line of outfielders. The outfielder that caught and threw the ball to the relay then joins the rear of the line of infielders. This cycle should be repeated as to correctly get everyone to errorlessly field, catch, throw, and relay through an entire cycle.  To add variety you can put runners at first and second base for a game like simulation.  Make sure though that they are wearing helmets to prevent injury.

Softball Infield Outfield Relay Drill