This is one of my favorite softball drills to put an infield through because it forces them to treat each play with urgency.  You can tell them to get to the ball quicker or to get rid of it quicker, but this drill gives them an “in your face” reason to do that.

Now, I’ve also heard that using a stop watch is helpful as well.  However, with a stop watch, the players don’t get as much of a visual on how far off or how close they are to making the play.  Using runners, like in this drill, gives them a more concrete visual of what’s going on.

So, how does this drill work?

1. Set up an infield
2. Have the rest of the team put on helmets
3. Runners will start 10 feet up the line to first (not from the batters box) and will start running when they hear the coach’s bat hit the ball
4. Coach stands in the batter’s box and  a hits grounders to the fielders
5. Fielders field the ball and and make the urgent play at first

Obviously this cuts down significantly on the time the field has to field the ball and make the play.  I like to run this drill with routinely hit ground balls…not screamers.  Force the players to come get the ball instead of sit back and wait for it and quickly get rid of it to make the play.  Do not hit laser shots at them and force them into a defensive mode.

This drill is a great way to put pressure on your infield and challenge them in practice so that game situations seem easy.  It’s also a great way to get some sprints in.  You can also switch out the infield and the runners to give everyone a chance at making these urgent plays as well as give everyone some sprint work.