This is my favorite softball stress fielding drill to get things going quickly while creating stress and fun for the team at the same time. The fielders need to be able to focus on their job while there are runners going at the same time. The timing component is great to add stress.
Softball Stress Fielding Drill
Infielders work on proper fielding and throwing skills. they stay low, keep their body weight forward and make accurate throws to the glove side.
- Infielders excluding pitcher go to their positions. Runners line up near first base. The coach brings a fungo bat to home plate.
- Action begins when a runner comes to first base. The coach hits three consecutive balls to the same fielder. (for example, hit three balls to the first baseman before hitting to another fielder). The runner goes from first base to second on the first hit, second to third on the second hit and tags up from third on the last hit. NOTE. The runner, whether safe or out, stays on base. After touching home plate the runner goes to the end of the line. Play continues as another runner goes to first.
- The following chart shows where the coach hits each ball and where players throw the ball.
|
Player |
Ball |
Where The Coach |
Where Players Throw |
|
First Base |
1 2 3 |
Down 1st base line Toward 2nd Base Fly to shallow RF |
To 6 covering 2nd; 6 – 2 To 5; 5 – 2 Runner tags up; 3 – 2 |
|
Second Base |
1 2 3 |
To the left of 2nd base Over 2nd base bag Fly to shallow CF |
To 6 covering second; 6 – 2 To 5; 5 – 2 Runner tags up; 4 – 2 |
|
Shortstop |
1 2 3 |
To the right of SS Over 2nd base bag Fly to shallow CF |
To 4 covering 2nd; 4 – 2 To 5; 5 – 2 Runner tags up; 6 – 2 |
|
Third Base |
1 2 3 |
Down 3rd base line To the left of 3rd base Fly shallow left line |
To 4 covering 2nd; 4 – 2 To 5; 5 – 2 Runner tags up; 5 – 2 |
Shared from “Baseball Coach’s Collection of Drills and Games” by Robert G. Hoehn
