For young athletes playing softball for the first time, mastering the fundamentals of throwing, batting, and defense is essential for creating a love for the game. Parents and coaches play a crucial role in supporting and guiding their young players as they develop their skills. This guide will cover the essential fundamentals of softball (with drills for coaches) and how you can help your child practice their skills off the field.
Coach Kelly Jackson, a 2-time gold medal winner with Team USA Softball and current president of the All-American Softball School will walk us through some of these fundamental skills. In her coaching course ‘Coaching Youth Softball Fundamentals’, Coach Jackson covers all of the softball fundamental skills and drills needed to coach this season!
1. Gripping and Throwing the Ball
Knowing how to throw a softball is one of the most important skills for playing the sport. Learning how to properly grip the softball will help your players throw harder, and more accurately when it matters most.
Proper Grip
Unlike baseball, softball players should use 4 fingers to grip the ball. A good grip starts with the middle finger over the middle of the ball, with the thumb directly underneath it on the bottom. Let the remaining fingers fall where they feel natural.
There should be a slight gap between the player’s palm, and the ball. Keeping the ball off the palm and on the fingertips allows players to snap their wrists, and get more spin on the ball for a faster and more accurate throw.
Throwing Mechanics
Now that we know how to grip the ball properly, throwing it is easy. The ideal throwing form begins with feet shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent.
To start throwing the ball, instruct your players to step toward their target with their non-dominant foot (or the opposite foot of their throwing arm), rotating their hips and shoulders toward the target. At the same time, instruct them to raise their arm up, at about 90 degrees and follow through toward their target all in one motion.
Throwing Drills
- Target Toss: Set up a target and have players practice hitting specific areas.
- Long Toss: Increase throwing distance gradually to build arm strength.
- Partner Passing: Work on quick, controlled throws with a teammate.
2. Basic Batting Techniques
Nothing feels better than cracking the softball deep into the outfield. Hitting is a fundamental skill in softball that requires hand-eye coordination, proper stance, and a powerful swing. Learning these fundamentals will have your athletes swinging for the fences in no time.
Batting Stance
Find a comfortable athletic stance, with knees bent, and feet shoulder-width apart. Get a good and comfortable grip on the bat, holding it angled over the player’s back shoulder. Now they’re ready to swing the bat.
Swing Mechanics
The swing starts with loading up on the back foot. As the player swings through the ball, their hips and shoulders quickly rotate toward the mound, transferring their weight to their front foot.
Encourage players to keep their eyes on the ball during the swing. This will help players make a better connection with the ball, but as they get older they’ll be able to identify pitches and spin on the ball to be a better hitter.
Batting Drills
Coach Jim Stricchiola’s free hitting course, ‘Softball Hitting Tips & Drills’ is filled with drills and skill-developing instructional videos to help improve your team’s hitting.
Other Batting Drills:
- Tee Work: Hit balls off a tee to focus on contact and mechanics.
- Soft Toss: Have a partner toss balls underhand to work on hand-eye coordination.
- Front Toss: Practice hitting moving pitches to improve reaction time.
3. Pitching Basics
Not everyone will be a pitcher, but pitching skills are crucial for young softball players who want to try every position. Softball pitching technique is much different than baseball, but rewarding to learn.
Pitching Grip
There are many different ways to grip the softball when pitching, depending on the type of pitch you want to throw. The most basic pitch is the 4-seam fastball. To throw a 4-seam, players should grip the ball with their middle, and index fingers running across the seams of the softball.
Pitching Mechanics
To start pitching, your players have to get comfortable on the mound. They should start by with their throwing side foot in front, and the other foot behind the rubber. This gives your pitcher the best ability to push off of the rubber for extra power.
To initiate the pitch, your player will step forward toward the plate with their back foot, raising the ball and preparing to windmill their arm. At this stage, the pitcher’s hips and shoulders should be square with the plate, but their forward foot should be at a 45-degree angle.
As the pitcher finishes the windmill motion with the ball, their weight and momentum should begin to follow toward the plate finishing their pitch and releasing the ball.
Pitching Drills
Coach Kelly Jackson uses these pitching drills to teach young softball players the fundamentals and mechanics of pitching a softball. These free drills (Click Below) also come from her ‘Coaching Youth Softball Fundamentals’ course.
4. Conclusion: Keep Practicing and Enjoy the Game
Mastering softball fundamentals takes time, dedication, and plenty of practice. By focusing on gripping and throwing the ball, basic batting techniques, and pitching skills young athletes can build a strong foundation for their softball careers ahead. Encourage your young softball players to practice these skills and fundamentals off the field and at home. The more practice they get the better softball players they will be!
