Cick on the above link or here to get even more updated drills from Decatur. The link above is the original source of the information also listed below.
Click on a Drill Category Below:
Base-Running Catching Coaching Strategy Coaching Tips Equipment Fielding Hitting Miscellaneous Motivational Nutrition Parents Physical Fitness Pitching Psychological Throwing Warm-Up Exercises
Many of the drills linked below are located on these great websites.
Baseball Drills Page	MyTeam.com
Eteamz Softball Drills	Fast Sports
Pitching or Back to the Top
Step Progression For Pitchers by Ernie Parker Why The Long Stride, To leap or Not To leap, That is the Question? by Bill Redmer Pitching Practice Pitcher - Catcher Relations Pitching / Catching Chart Curveball - by Doug Toner Pitch Selection Calls Barry Sammons on Pitching  Softball is Fun Pitching tips Broom Drill - Tom Choate - drill for younger players trying to learn the wrist flip Mechanics - Body position and timing are the keys to pitching. Pitch Selection Calls Pitching Practice Drills Pitcher-Catcher Chart Movement Drills Throwing the Curveball Accuracy Drill On One Knee Drill Fastpitch Pitching Drills Pitcher-Catcher Relations Fastpitch Pitching Games K Drill Pitcher's Hitting Area Chart Pitching Gadgets Tip 4 control Four drills to improve pitching speed and control/direction Broom drill for younger players trying to learn the wrist flip Joe's Long Toss long toss drill that improves speed and accuracy while building arm strength  K - adds power to the release and squares the body to the target Long Toss - increase the distance to the plate to increase pitching speed  Pitcher's Wall - stops pitchers from dropping their shoulders and making a swooping motion Striped Ball For Pitching  Use a striped softball to check rotation, proper mechanics and a consistent release The Wall Workout Great drill for individual pitching practice Towel Drill - helps pitching accuracy to get the ball right over the plate Weight Back - drills to keep weight back, have a firm front leg, drive the back leg and stay on the line of force Curveball - explanation of the proper position for throwing a curve ball Forearm Strength - Use newspapers to increase the strength in your hand, wrist and forearm Mickey Mouse - use an inflatable toy in pitching practice The Responsibility of Training a Pitcher Weight Back Drill Why are softball pitchers leaping? Ground Power Softball Pitching Developing the Windmill Pitcher Movement Drills Throwing the Curveball Accuracy Drill On One Knee Drill Fastpitch Pitching Drills Pitcher-Catcher Relations Pitching Incentives Pitching Instructional Videos (Fastpitch) - The Rhythm & Balance Pitching Method Video by George Jones Pitching Forum - old Bulletin board. You can't post, but you can read the questions and answers New Bulletin Board - post questions Sideways Drill Grip -Get a grip and learn to snap the ball over the plate. Pitcher Fielding Drills After releasing the ball the pitcher becomes a fielder making the routine play. Movement Program Weight Training Drill Towel Drill Pitcher's Wall Drill 4 Control Drill Forearm Strength Pitcher Injuries Tip Pitching Mechanics Checklist Pitcher Injuries - what to do when your pitcher experiences soreness or pain Pitching Gadgets - collection of gadgets that aid in pitching technique Pitching Hook Kick tip for breaking the habit of hook kicking during pitching delivery Sequencing the Riseball Motion - Tip for better riseballs Squeezer - use a squeezer to improve grip and increase forearm strength Weight Training - weight training exercise to increase pitching speed 3 Keys to Pitching - pitching drills focused on 3 keys of pitching: preparation, relaxation and confidence Movement - a group of drills to improve movement pitches Tempo - A collection of drills focusing on pitching tempo
Hitting or Back to the Top
Bat Size Tips From Ray DeMarini Sequencing the Hitting Process Softball Batting Tips Barrier Drills Basketball Drills Tee Drills Pick a number drill Mike Nappi's Hitting Clinic Hitting and Swing Mechanics Bunting Drills Guts Dizzy Lizzy Game - Coach Mike What weight bat should I use? Ray Demarini Swinging Drills - Develop a smooth swing  Batting Tee Drills - Get your tee work in Bunting Drills - Master the basics of bunting.  Bat Selection - Tips to help choose the best equipment for you. Grip - Stay relaxed in your hands Stance - Perfect position in the batter's box. Techniques for Effective Batting Softball Batting Tips Batting Mechanics Softball Drills for Hitting Web Camp Hitting Drills Tennis Ball Drills Bat Speed Eliminate Overstriding Barrier Drills Drop Drills Soft-Toss Drill Basketball Drills Tee Drills Sequencing the Hitting Process From Circle To Box Tip Hand Position for Hitting Tip Point of Contact Tip Stride Box Tip Underloading Tip Bunting Game   Teaching the Skill of Hitting Strike Zone Drill Softball Drills for Hitting Baseball Web Camp Hitting Drills Tennis Ball Drills Drills to eliminate overstriding Drop Drills Mental Approach to  Hitting Hitting Setup and Preparation Situational Hitting Thunderball Pepper Indoor Drills for Fastpitch Softball Sequencing the Hitting Process Situational Hitting Coach Mike Smother's Batting Tips Eye on the Ball Program - Coach Mike - drills that are designed to really keep your eye on the ball Short and Soft Toss Drills - Refine your hitting in pairs  Eyes-Focus - Focus is the key to hitting Stride - Focus on the feet! Swing - It's not only in the arms Eye on the Ball Drill On Deck Hitter Drill Mental Approach Hitting Setup Hitting and Swing Mechanics Situational Hitting Thunderball and Other Games Situational Hitting Dizzy Lizzy Game 60 Second Drill Batting Beam Drill Knee Hitting Drill Rope Drill Tennis Can Lids Drill Tossers Drill Focus Tip Focus Position Tip Batting Game
Fielding or Back to the Top
Outfield Skills & Drills by Judi Garman Right Over Left - Leads  To Consistent Fielding Baseball Web Camp  Infield Drills Baseball Web Camp  Infield Drills Indoor Drills for  Fastpitch Softball First Base Tips Second Base Tips Third Base Tips Short Stop Tips Left Field Tips Center Field Tips Right Field Tips 5x5 Fielding Drill Ground Ball Drills - Discover drills that'll improve your defense. Infield Drills - Work on making the routine play. Defending the Bunt NEW Right Over Left How to Play the Field Improving Outfield Play Fielding Drills Infield Drills from Web Camp Softball is Fun Fielding the Positions Second Base Tips Defensive Games Outfield Fly Drill Over the Head Drill 5x5 Drill Paddle Drill Relay Throw Drill Situations Drill Star Drill Game RUNDOWNS: The Slam Dunks of Defensive Baseball Fielding Drills from The Baseball Coaches Page   by Jeff Brabant Quick Throw Drill Softball is Fun Fielding Softball is Fun Defensive Tips Grounder, Fly Ball, Grounder Defensive Softball Tips to Improve Outfield Play by Mike Perniciaro, University of Georgia Pitcher Fielding Drills - After releasing the ball the pitcher becomes a fielder making the routine play. Outfield Drills - Great outfield play can win you a game. Fielding Situations - What to do from every position on the field NEW 6/00 That Game Drill - Teamwork Triangle Drill Guts Game Barney Game Grounder Flyball Grounder Game Pepper Game Ready for Anything Football Flys Bat Around the Horn Game Knock Out Game Bounce Toy Tip Outfield Tips
Catching or Back to the Top
Pitcher - Catcher Relations Pitching / Catching Chart Soft Hands Drill for Catchers Pitch Selection Calls Catcher's Situational Strategy Softball is Fun Catching page Defending the Bunt NEW Blocking Drills Basic Rules for Catchers Catcher's Pitch Call Chart Throws to Second and Third Base Trio Drill Second Base Throw Down Drill Reaction Drill Side to Side Speed Drill Duties of a Catcher by Darren Mueller, NDSU Coach Baseball Web Camp Catcher Drills Blocking Drill Basic Rules for Catchers Catcher's Pitch Call Chart Pitcher-Catcher Chart Bounce at Plate Drill Garbage Can Drill Catcher's Paddle Drill Drawing a Cross Drill Repetition Ping Pong Drill Pop Up Drill Second Base Steal Drill Wild Ball Drill Catcher's Circle Drill Backstop Drill
Base-Running or Back to the Top
Slick Base Running Base-Running Drills from The Baseball Coaches Page by Jeff Brabant Scrambled Eggs make for better Sliding by Vince Muehe Thoughts on Sliding Scrambled Eggs and Sliding by Vince Muehe First and Third 3-2-1 Drill Pickoff Game Thunder Ball Thunder Game Baseball Web Camp Base Running Drills Indoor Drills for Fastpitch Softball 3-2-Run Base Running Drills - There's more to base running than running. Base Drill Belt Drill Sprinting Drill Out of the Box Drill The Running Game Vertical Leap Program Balls of the Feet Tip Trees Base running Situation
Throwing or Back to the Top
Jamie - Vickie O'Brien  Work on defense, accuracy and conditioning Mechanics Series Striped Ball Mechanics - Identify correct/incorrect mechanics and release using a striped ball Three Ball Throwing Mechanics - Hold three softballs in glove hand to check mechanics Throwing For Bucks - Accuracy drill for outfield throws Throwing Form - drills to improve your throwing form Baseball Web Camp Throwing Drills Mechanics Series Drill Throwing Form Drill Stationary Throwing Softball Throwing Drills 3-2-Run Throwing Drills - Proper throwing technique is a must.   Throwing Drills from The Baseball Coaches Page by Jeff Brabant Break the Window Game Bucket Drill
Warm-Up Exercises or Back to the Top
Leap Fro Pre-Game Drills from The Baseball Coaches Page by Jeff Brabandt
Physical Fitness/Nutrition or Back to the Top
10 Things Coaches Can Do To Help Prevent Eating Disorders in Their Athletes NEW 2/2002 Building Team Speed by Terry Shaw,  Texas Speed Softball Strength Training: A Multidimensional Approach by Roberto Parker, CSCS, M.S. Stretching and Flexibility- Everything you never wanted to know by Brad Appleton Drills to Increase Player Speed and Quickness USA Softball Develops a New Training Regimen Shuttle Run Push Up'n At 'Em Workout post from Ray DeMarini Bench Pressing Routine Same Routine Simplified High-rep squats & deadlifts Husker Power's Performance Principles Powerlifting and Speed-Strength Training Miami Strength Topics - strength, speed, & power resource from Miami (Ohio) The Forgotten Skill: Teaching Team Speed NCAA Sports Injury Rates Conditioning from The Baseball Coaches Page by Jeff Brabant Endurance Performance! Indoor Drills Run Around Strength Training Weight Training Rocket Science: Launching a Payload Athletes and the Olympic Lifts Kids and Steroids The Squat Part 1, 2 & 3 Factors Affecting Strength Exercise Technique Conditioning Tips for Powerlifting Plyometrics - FAQ about this strength building method Strength and Conditioning for Softball Players Fitness Resource - general information on fitness and conditioning The Training Zone
Motivational / Psychological or Back to the Top
Including the Inspirational and Humorous
Relentless Positivity Chapter 2 of Positive Coaching by Jim Thompson Softball Cheers Cheers for their Team Cheers for your Team Cheers for their Pitcher Cheers for Your Pitcher Cheers for Their Fielders Cheers for your Batters More Cheers Even More Cheers 80 Ways to say "Very Good" Burn-Out Motivation Prevent your Athletes from Dropping Out - Maintaining a Positive Team Environment by Dr. Richard K. Stratton You Can Take A Horse  To Water... Motivation: Continuing  to Participate / Drop-out by Dr. Richard K. Stratton The Mental Game Plan We Want What We Want Motivation for Fastpitch Softball Stepping into The Zone by Rick Siekmann Preparation - Bringing it With You to the Game by Rick Siekmann A True Story by Rick Siekmann Visualization - Imagine It! Self-Esteem by Barbara T. Waite, Ph. D. Self-Acceptance by Barbara T. Waite, Ph. D. Twelve Rules for Motivation Freedom To Trust A Good Cross As A Coach I Am .... Selecting Players You Know You're a Soccer Coach When ... Coaching Leadership The Michelle Akers Story Nel Fettig Class Act Muscle Memory Other Quotes from Coach Pitsick's Website Dealing with Slumps Adapted from Chapter 14 of Winning the Mental Way by Karlene Sugarman, M.A. Visualization - A Brief Guide to In- and Out-of-Season Preparation by Rick Siekmann Relaxation - The Key to Enhanced Performance by Rick Siekmann Confidence Is A Choice Using Visualization for Confidence Having Fun To Enhance Confidence Better Softball/Baseball - A Three Step Approach - Successful Softball/Baseball Motivation of Young Athletes - Why Kids want to participate in sports by Dr. Richard K. Stratton Motivating Your Athletes and Yourself by Dr. Richard K. Stratton Guidelines for Setting Goals by Dr. Richard K. Stratton Goal Setting: The  Concept by Dr. Richard K. Stratton Sports Psychology - extensive articles on the mental side of sports. A "FOUR SOFTBALL" site. Sports Psychology - articles are slanted toward tennis, but clearly applicable to any athlete Its How You Play the Game That Counts Self-Esteem, Sport and Physical Activity (Girls) by Peggy Edwards I've Learned (Poem) Dreaming and Achieving Dreaming Big If You Can Dream Growing and Dreaming I Have A Dream Hero Mallory Code Olympic Dreams Women Don't Play Hockey Dream Quotes Prayers Inspirational Stories Team Work Stories
Strategy or Back to the Top
"Signing" On (and Off) Pitch Selection Calls Catcher's Situational Strateg Fielding Situations - What to do from every position on the field Defending the Bun
Coaching Tips or Back to the Top
Practice... Makes Perfect...  Preseason Rituals - The Baseball Coaches Page by Jeff Brabant Things To Watch For Part 1 Things To Watch For Part 2 Home State Bank Team Manual Baseball Web Camp A Coach's Letter to Parents - by Darrell Burnett, Phd.  The Coaches' Bookshelf Coaching Youth Sports - Question & Answer Column 1998 ASA Rule Changes The Forgotten Skill: Teaching Team Speed Suggested Training Videos and Books Video Reviews - reviews of fastpitch videotapes Handling Team & Player Problems Learn Softball Lingo with this on-line Softball Dictionary NEW 6/00 Skill Testing What kind of coach are you? - National Institute for Child Centered Coaching Coaches' Code of Ethics - the National Youth Sports Coaches Association  Indoor Drills for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Corner - Tim Adams hints for the coach Team Fundamentals Checklist - a checklist of everything that a team should know How To Coach A Kid With Attention Deficit Disorder - Linda Meigs NEW Softball History and The Basics of the Game NEW Fielding Situations - What to do from every position on the field NEW 6/00 Defending the Bunt NEW
Equipment or Back to the Top
Equipment Reviews The B&N Softball Page Bat Reviews by Dr. Mark McDowell and Dr. Ronald D. Noebe Jay Chasteen's Bat Reviews Nokona Glove Care Advise to Parents on Choosing and Purchasing Sports Equipment Bat Selection - Tips to help choose the best equipment for you. B&N Softball's Official Classification for Softballs Distance as a function of Batted Ball Speed How Many Softball Injuries And Fatalities Are We Waiting For? Sporting engineers take swings at each other's pitches and hope that their wands will revolutionize softball. Metropolis Bat Boys DeMarini Bat Chats Review of One Cryo Equalizer 2 SuperWall Bat Hitting Tips From Ray DeMarini Glove Selection by Dot Richardson Forming Your Glove to Shape by Dot Richardson Breaking in a new glove by Brent McLaren A Tribute To Ray DeMarini!!! B&N Softball Interviews and Articles!!! B&N Softball's Official List for Multi-Wall and Single Wall Bats Curves on Baseball - A Mathematical  study of the covers of baseball - quite interesting
Miscellaneous or Back to the Top
How to make "Spirits of Ammonia" Water to refresh players Feb 2002 Worth Softball Tip of the Month The Typical Softball Player Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese Baseball Web Camp Message Board Worth Tip of the Month Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready to Play - by David Peterson National Institute for Child Centered Coaching - Support material for coaches and family who want to use the child-centered coaching philosophy. Coaching Youths with Disabilities by Jennifer Hvozdovic Integrating Highly Skilled and Less Skilled Athletes by Dr. Richard K. Stratton SportsScience - an interdisciplinary site for research on human physical performance - hosted by the Royal Society of New Zealand Shawsville High School baseball handbook Its How You Play the Game That Counts Ram Drill Softball History and The Basics of the Game NEW The Team Mom Page Softball Tips & Techniques Bob Pelle's Softball World NFCA Drills (link) Beyond the Basics of Scoring Fastpitch Softball (Link to NFCA)  Suggested VideoTraining and Books Selected by John Tschida, Head Coach St. Mary's Univ. - Winona Practice... Makes Perfect...  Scrambled Eggs make Better Sliding 3-2-Run! Indoor DrillsThey are not your rules blue! The Typical Softball Umpire Baseball Web Camp Quizzes Baseball Web Camp Misc. The Typical Softball Coach The Typical Softball Parent Final Season - by Bob Welch Something for every parent who was too busy to coach his child. Disabled Children in Sport by Jennifer Hvozdovic Players' Code of Ethics - by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association  Parents' Code of Ethics - by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association  Equal Playing Time for All by Dr. Richard K. Stratton Dizzy Lizzy Web Ball - lots of drills Baseball Drills - batting and fielding drills (at bottom of page) Learn Softball Lingo with this on-line Softball Dictionary NEW 6/00
Parents or Back to the Top
Is It Your Goal to Play College Athletics? by Rick Anteau II, Minnesota Athletic, Resume Service Keith's Tips for Little League Parents The Typical Softball Parent Parents - Involvement or Interference Parent's Frequently Asked Questions Top Ten Tips for Parents How do they select the All Star Team and why isn't my child on it? The Parent's Bookshelf It's Only a Game! Inside The Crazy Culture of Kids Sports Boston Globe Safety in Youth Sports Campaign Teach your Son or Daughter to be a Good Sport. Surviving Little League - also includes her Little League Survival Kit and Tips for those interested in coaching. by Amanda Formaro NEW 4/2000 Parental Creed When is it Safe for Young Athletes to Lift weights? Sports for All Children (including those with disabilities)? Providing Social Support Parents, help your kids see their progress! Dealing with the Potential Drop-out Getting Your Child Started The Best Team to Coach is a Team of Orphans NEW Parents Should Encourage  Young Children to Play Sports National Alliance for Youth Sports The University Interscholastic League Trash Talk on Sports Learn Softball Lingo with this on-line Softball Dictionary NEW 6/00 Fielding Situations - What to do from every position on the field NEW 6/00 Softball History and The Basics of the Game NEW Stories for Parents Are You a Pushy Parent? Rules for Spectators
SOFTBALL   E-mail Us Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 decatursports.com All rights reserved. Revised June 26, 2002 Contact Ken Gamble 256.353.9181 Tel 256.353.9197 Fax Mailing Address: 1610 St. James Court S.E. Decatur, Alabama 35601