Drills
Softball outfield drills
Softball outfield drills with video, setup, coaching points and how to run each one by age.
22 drills
- Ball off the fence drill — A coach rolls or throws balls against the outfield fence and the outfielder reads the bounce, comes to the ball under control, fields it and gets into a throw. It teaches outfielders to play the carom instead of chasing it.
- Crow hop ring drill — Two rings or flat markers on the ground set the path for an outfielder's crow hop, so the hop goes out toward the target instead of up in the air, and the player follows through after the throw. It builds a strong, low crow hop for throws to the infield.
- Do or die ground ball drill — Outfielders charge a ground ball hard, field it on the glove side on the run and crow hop into a throw, first as a dry run with no ball, then with live grounders. It builds the all-out play an outfielder makes to throw out a runner trying to score.
- Eight ball outfield drill — A coach throws eight fly balls in quick succession around an area of the outfield, and one fielder chases down each one, calling for it, catching it and getting rid of it for the next. It builds range, communication habits and conditioning.
- Find the fence drill — An outfielder drop steps and runs back to the fence, reaches out with the bare hand to find it, and then settles under a fly ball and catches it. It teaches outfielders to locate the wall safely without taking their eyes off the ball.
- Flip the hips drill — An outfielder runs back at an angle and switches direction each time the coach calls it, flipping the hips without slowing down, then catches a ball over the shoulder. It trains the turn outfielders need when they misread a deep fly ball.
- Fly ball bucket drill — Instead of catching, the outfielder runs to where a tossed fly ball will land and sets a bucket down on the spot before it comes down. It trains reading the ball's flight and getting to the spot early.
- Football tuck running drill — Outfielders run down fly balls with a small football tucked in the crook of the glove arm, carried the way a running back carries it. Holding it keeps the glove down while they sprint, so they run like athletes instead of chasing the ball with the glove up.
- Frisbee fly ball drill — A coach throws a flying disc, or a floppy cone, high and the outfielder keeps the feet moving to stay under it as it drifts and catches it. It teaches the constant small adjustments a fly ball in the wind needs.
- Gap communication drill — Two outfielders run out around cones and come back toward each other as the coach throws a fly ball into the gap between them. One calls for it and catches it, the other gives way and calls where to throw. It builds the calling habits that prevent collisions.
- Hat brim fly ball drill — Young players try to let a very soft tossed ball land on the brim of their cap, with no glove and hands at their sides. It makes them move their feet to get directly under a fly ball instead of reaching for it.
- Kneeling fly ball drill — A beginner's fly ball drill: the player kneels, and a partner tosses soft high balls that the player catches above the head with the glove and throwing hand together. Taking the feet away lets young players learn where to catch the ball.
- Listen while tracking communication drill — While an outfielder turns, finds and catches a fly ball, a teammate shouts a few random words, and after the catch the fielder has to repeat them. It trains outfielders to keep their ears working while their eyes are on the ball.
- No false step drill — A bat laid on the ground just in front of an outfielder's toes makes the first move honest: any step forward kicks the bat. The player drop steps back on a ball hit over the head without moving or touching it.
- Outfield drop step drill — Outfielders react to a coach's point with a drop step and a crossover, then run down a ball tossed over their head. It replaces the backpedal with the turn-and-run first move every deep fly ball needs.
- Outfield relay throw drill — An outfielder fields a ball and throws to a relay player who lines up between them and third base, and the relay turns and throws to third, then everyone rotates. It practices hitting the cutoff from the outfield and lining up the relay.
- Outfield star drill — Outfielders start from one spot and run to the point of a star the coach picks, in, back or to either side, to catch a thrown fly ball and set up to throw. It covers every first-step direction in one drill.
- Over-the-shoulder catch drill — A three-step progression for the over-the-shoulder catch: from the knees, then standing, then on the move, with a partner lofting the ball over one shoulder. It teaches outfielders to run with the arms pumping and reach for the ball late and high.
- Retrieve and throw drill — Outfielders sprint back to a ball sitting in the grass, pick it up while planting the back foot, and throw it right away to the infield with no crow hop. It builds the quick pickup and release that keeps runners from taking an extra base.
- Three cone outfield drill — An outfielder works around three cones in a line, catching a short ball coming in, a ball over the head going back and a final fly ball after a turn, all in one quick run. It trains changing direction between catches and recovering fast.
- Turn and find the ball drill — Outfielders start turned away from the coach, lying on their stomach or with their eyes closed, then react on a call, find a ball already in the air and get under it. It builds the quick ball-finding an outfielder needs off the bat.
- Twelve step cone drill — A square of four cones with one in the middle gives an outfielder twelve set plays in a row: fly balls, ground balls and line drives at angles to both sides, plus balls straight back. It works every route and catch an outfielder needs in one structured session.