Throwing a Ball
Progressive Long Toss
Individual defensive skills are vital to the game of softball. If a fielder is not able to field a ball correctly in a certain situation, then the team as a whole will not be able to execute a play. It all begins with knowing how to throw a softball properly. Once a fielder is able to master that skill in the correct, then she is ready to move on to more skillful areas. Here is a brief overview of 8 common individual defensive skills.
For: All position players
Purpose: Teaches the fielder how to properly execute an accurate, controlled throw.
Execution of the drill: There are 2 parts to this drill, called "break" and "throw".
The fielder should start with the ball in her glove facing her partner with the pads of fingers across the four-seam and the pad of her thumb on the opposite four-seam. When the coach yells "break" she extends her glove out in front of her with the pocket turned facing towards the outside of her body. Her other arm is extended straight back behind her. Both arms should be not be completely straight, but rather slightly flexed. Her feet should be in position to where her glove-side hip is facing her partner.
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The fielder should now bring her throwing arm forward making sure to keep her elbow as close to her ear as possible. While she is doing this, she should bring her glove in towards her heart area. She should then release the ball at the highest point possible keeping in mind to have the elbow as close to the ear as possible and to snap the wrist down. After the release, the fielder needs to make sure to bend at the waist and to bring her back foot forward to take a step towards her target.
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Progressive long toss is a program that develops arm strength. By routinely executing this program, a player will be able to throw the softball a lot harder for a longer distance with a better line drive trajectory.
For: All position players
Purpose: Teaches the fielder how to throw a softball harder, more accurately, and for a longer distance.
Execution of the drill: After warming her arm up, each player and her partner should line up from each other about 90 feet apart. By using her momentum and rotating her upper body, the players should be able to throw the ball to each other's chest on a straight line. Each player needs to make sure that she is using proper throwing mechanics when making each throw. She should also focus on getting herself in good position to make the catch. What I mean by this is that the outfielders should always come toward the ball to catch it, while the infielders should always pretend that it is a cut situation or a tag play at a base. After she catches the ball, she then steps back and gets herself ready to make a throw. After 25 throws each, the players take a couple to minutes to rest and then throw 25 more each. After a couple of weeks the coach should move the cones in 15 feet increments.
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