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Softball drill

Boulder hitting drill

Young hitters swing at a soccer ball or volleyball sitting on a tee, a big target that takes a full swing to move. It teaches them to swing through the ball to a full finish instead of stopping at contact.

A young softball hitter in a helmet loaded to swing at a big soccer ball sitting on a batting tee on home plate
Video by yougotmojo on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport
Baseball and Softball
Skill
Hitting
Ages
6U to 10U
Players
4 to 8 (one hitter, the rest fielding)
Time
About 10 minutes
Level
Beginner
Equipment
Batting tee, A soccer ball or volleyball, Bats and helmets, Gloves for the fielders
Indoors
Yes

Many beginners hit the ball and stop the bat right there, as if the job ends at contact. A big, heavy ball changes that. A soccer ball or volleyball on the tee does not go anywhere unless the hitter turns the body and swings all the way through it.

Kids also love it. The ball is easy to hit, it makes a satisfying thump, and the rest of the team gets to chase it in the field. It works in a gym or on the field and makes a good opening station for tee ball and coach pitch practices.

Setup

  • Put a tee at home plate and set a soccer ball or volleyball on top.
  • Spread the rest of the players out in the infield to field the ball.
  • Waiting hitters stand with helmets on, well back from the plate and out of the swing's reach.

How to run it

  1. The hitter takes a balanced stance next to the tee.
  2. On the coach's call, they take a hard swing and drive the bat through the middle of the ball.
  3. They hold the finish with the bat over the front shoulder.
  4. A fielder runs the ball down and brings or rolls it back to the coach at the tee.
  5. After four swings, the hitter goes to the field and the next hitter comes in.

Coaching points

  • Swing through the ball, not at it. The bat keeps going after contact.
  • Turn the hips. A big ball needs the whole body, not just the arms.
  • Hold the finish and stay on your feet; falling off the plate means the swing was all arms.
  • Eyes on the ball until the bat hits it.
  • Cheer the finishes as much as the long hits.

Common mistakes

  • Stopping the bat at contact.
  • Swinging so hard with the arms that the hitter loses balance.
  • Trying to lift the ball into the air instead of driving it.
  • Letting waiting hitters stand too close to the tee.

Printable drill card

Take this drill to the field: the setup, steps, coaching points and equipment on one card, with the video's address to find it again. Free, no account needed.

Print the drill card

Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

By age

Tee ball

Let a little air out of the ball so it is softer, and count every finish held for two seconds as a point.

Coach pitch

Use a full volleyball or soccer ball and ask for the ball to go back past the pitcher's spot.

10U

Use it as a quick warm-up, then switch to real balls and ask hitters to keep the same full finish.

Next: Free lineup card generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hitting a soccer ball hurt the bat?

A soft or partly deflated ball is easy on a bat, but to be safe use a team practice bat rather than a player's expensive bat.

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