Communication & Coverage

Tips for Outfielders in Softball

In softball, three players are responsible for the entire outfield, which means communication is crucial. Talking in the outfield allows player to evolve from thinking your teammate will get the ball to knowing she’ll get it.  Likewise, if a wild throw is made in the infield and no one is there to stop it from rolling to the fence, a run can be easily scored — outfielders are incredibly important. This softball guide covers important communication and coverage tips that will make everything a little easier in the outfield.

Communication

Nothing is worse than seeing two outfielders looking each other in the eyes as the ball falls between them, especially if the game is on the line. These errors happen because of a lack of communication between the outfielders. Below are a few communication tips that can help prevent fly balls from dropping and lost opportunities to get the out.

The Centerfielder is Chief

Balls that fall between outfielders are sometimes the hardest to catch because there is always some uncertainty as to who should get it, who will get it, and if a collision will occur in the process. Uncertainty leads to hesitation, and hesitation leads to dropped balls. So instead of playing the guessing game, one player has to take charge — and that’s the center fielder.

A good center fielder will approach the position with an aggressive mentality. She should want any ball she can get to. But even if she could get every ball in the outfield, it doesn’t mean she should.  If a ball is dropping between two outfielders, one usually has a better read or play on it, and it’s not always the center fielder.

Even if the center fielder is calling for the ball, another outfielder can call her off if she feels she has a better read and play on it. In these situations, the other outfielder needs to call the ball louder than the center fielder and the center fielder needs to acknowledge the call by yelling “Take it! Take it! Take it!,” and then immediately backing up her teammate. Whatever the case, the ball cannot drop. The center fielder needs to ensure everyone knows who is catching the ball.

Pop-ups between the Infield & Outfield

Balls that land between the infield and outfield can be confusing. If it’s on the dirt, it’s probably the infielder’s ball, but what about balls that land on the grass a foot away from the dirt? In these cases, it could be fair game for both the infielder and outfielder. An infielder with a good drop step has a good chance of getting it, but an outfielder who is running in will always have the best angle.

Unless she is playing at the fence, an outfielder should be able to catch these balls and call off the infielder. However, that doesn’t mean the infielder should sit back and assume the outfielder has it. She should sprint back as hard as she can until called off, and then run to back up the outfielder. Working together, no ball should drop between the infield and outfield.

Hot Tip: Always Call for the Fence!

One of the most important forms of communication between the outfielders is letting each other know where the fence is, or how close a player is getting to the fence before she hits it. Especially when the game is on the line, you don’t want to see an outfielder miss the ball after hesitating because her teammates didn’t help her.

Coverage

   Every outfielder has an inherent backup responsibility:

   The center fielder backs up second base and shortstop

   The right fielder backs up first base and second base

   The left fielder backs up third base and shortstop

   All the Outfielders, need to back each other up, on every play

Each outfielder should be sprinting to back up their respective bag after every pitch, depending on where the lead runner is. That is, if there is a runner at first base, the center fielder should be heading to back up second base on the chance that a throw is made there. Likewise if a throw is on its way to first base, the right fielder should already be in position to back up a wild throw.

The outfielders also back each other up.  If a ball is hit to right field, the center fielder will be the right fielder’s back-up. The same goes for left field. If the left fielder is going for the ball, the center fielder should be sprinting to back her up; the same goes for the right fielder. If the center fielder is going for the ball, the right fielder should move to back her up if the center fielder is in right-center, and vice versa for the left fielder.

The Last Line of Defense

The outfield is truly the last line of defense against any hit. If a ball gets past them, only the fence can stop it (assuming there is a fence!). The easiest way to cover the most green is to communicate with your teammates and act as each other’s back-ups. Communication and teamwork are absolutely crucial for having a successful outfield, so always make sure everyone knows their role and is ready to go all out for the ball!

Lastly, always remember to have good back up distance and be in line with the angle the ball is thrown from. If your back up position is too close, or off line, then a bad throw will go right by both players, that are trying to catch the ball and that would defeat the whole purpose of backing up!

Always back up, Coach Moose

Softball Pitching Tips - A Pitcher's Checklist

By Don Sarno

Here are some pitching points to remember to help you be the best you can be.

1) Pre-Game Warm-up

• Elevate body temperature by jogging and stretching.

• Soft toss overhand, then soft toss underhand to build tempo and timing.

• Work down the middle of the plate before concentrating on corners.

• Establish your primary pitch first.

• Work outside the strike zone as well as in, and on the corners.

• Practice a few pitch-outs

• Concentrate on proper spin for breaking pitches, before throwing at top speed.

• Warm-up in the same direction as you will pitch in the game. Use a new or game ball, if possible.

• Work on visualizing path of pitch, and successful pitches. Warm-up mentally as well as physically.

• Develop concentration: focus on targets and areas.

• Don’t struggle with a pitch which is not working--go back to the basics, or use as a waste pitch. Adjust--always adjust!

• Rehearse your game plan.

• Pace your warm-up to coincide with the start of the game.

• Develop a calm, alert, focused, and positive state of mind.

• Wear a jacket after warm-ups

One staple in any sport and conditioning program has long been the jump rope. While every tool has its place, the jump rope is a tool that is used for two reasons:

• The natural rhythmic pattern of having to turn the rope and jump/bounce at the same time; there is a major coordination factor involved.
• Quick contacts with the feet force athletes to stay on the front half of their foot - thus improving the "elasticity" of the lower leg (this means quicker and more explosive!).

Here are 5 of the most effective jump rope drills:

Quick Feet

While this isn't the most exciting variation of jump roping, it's perhaps the most important. You will simply start with both feet on the ground at the same time while you're turning the rope as quickly as you possibly can. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of this drill. This is a great starting point if you aren't able to currently jump rope; if you are a master, you can always work at improving your quickness.

Lateral Quick Feet

This variation is the exact same as the above drill except you're going to move side to side instead of just up and down. This will help improve your ability to move laterally. This is a great starting point for improving the foot/ankle complex to control stability (balance and control) while being quick.

Ali Shuffle

With this drill, you will start with your feet staggered (one foot forward and one foot backward). You will then jump up and switch the feet so that you now have your other foot forward. Continue in this pattern working at contacting the ground at the same time with both feet.

Hurdle Step

Start with one leg off the ground with the knee up toward waist height. You will hold that leg up and in position while hopping up and down on the other foot.

This drill is great for improving single-leg power and elasticity. Make sure you start with shorter times (or fewer reps) with this drill as the stress on the lower leg is much higher than the double-leg versions listed above. BE CAREFUL TO WEAR GOOD TENNIS SHOES, Too much single-leg jump roping can cause shin splints!

Lateral Hurdle Step

This is exactly the same as above except you are jumping side to side while on the one leg. This is very challenging as it incorporates stability in the foot/ankle complex.

Bonus Exercise - Double Jumps

If you're already good at jump roping and you're looking to improve your jumping ability, one of the best drills I know is the double jumps. Start like Quick Feet except instead of doing only one turn of the rope you will make two turns of the rope each time you jump.

Because of the height you are jumping it works great at improving the power in the lower leg (picture higher jumps).

As a general rule, FOR SOFTBALL, jump roping drills to last about 15-30 seconds if you're trying to improve your quickness or jumping ability. As you get better, do more sets/reps of the 10-30s intervals and shrink your rest time in between sets. Below you will find a sample 10-minute program:

• Quick Feet: 3 x 30s, rest 15s between each 30s rep
• Lateral Quick Feet 3 x 30s, rest 15s between each 20s rep
• Ali Shuffle 3 x 30s, rest 15s between each 30s rep
• Hurdle Step 3 x 5s, each leg, rest 10s
• Lateral Hurdle Step 3 x 5s, each leg, rest 10s
• Double Jumps 2 x 10 (20 total)