Softball throwing drills
Arm path and release work a player can do in a living room or backyard.
How coaches assign drills- 4 drills
- 2 with no partner needed
- Every drill has a video clip
- 5–15 minutes each
4 softball throwing drills
Throwing0:49Towel Throwing Drill
FixesPushing the ball and a short arm
- 5 min
- Ages 8–18
3 sets of 10 reps, 4–6 days a week
Throwing0:49Crow Hop Throws
FixesFlat-footed, arm-only long throws
- With a partner
- 15 min
- Ages 8–18
4 sets of 5 throws, 2 days a week
Throwing0:51Right-Left-Throw Footwork
FixesStanding still after the catch and throwing with only the arm
- 10 min
- Ages 8–18
3 sets of 10 throws, 3 days a week (2 sets for players under 10)
Throwing0:56Long Toss Program
FixesThrows that run out of steam before they reach the base
- With a partner
- 15 min
- Ages 11–18
One session of about 20–35 throws (by age, warm-up included), 1–2 days a week with a day off in between
How to use these softball throwing drills
Softball throwing problems these drills fix
These drills work on arm path and release: getting the arm down, back and up into a full circle and finishing the throw with the whole body.
- The most common problem in young players is pushing the ball from the ear with a short arm.
- A short arm takes away velocity and puts more stress on the elbow and shoulder.
Where to start
- Start with the towel drill. Hold a hand towel like a ball and snap it at a target about head high, like a door frame or the back of a chair.
- There is no ball, so it works in a living room.
- Three sets of 10 takes about five minutes.
Warm-up and how often
- The towel drill puts almost no stress on the arm, so it is safe to do most days of the week.
- Before throwing a ball, warm the arm up. The band arm care routine takes about eight minutes and is a good habit before every throwing session.
- The quick hands transfer in the fielding drills adds a fast glove-to-hand exchange before the throw.
Softball throwing drills FAQ
How can I practice softball throwing at home?
The towel drill works indoors with no ball. Stand sideways to a target, take the towel down, back and up, step and turn, and snap it out in front. Outside, play catch with a parent at a distance where the throws stay accurate.
What is the towel drill in softball?
A throwing drill where the player holds a hand towel like a ball and snaps it at a target. The snap should come out in front of the body from the hips and chest turning. It teaches a full arm path with almost no stress on the arm.
How often should softball players do throwing drills?
The towel drill is light enough for four to six days a week. Throwing a ball hard needs rest days in between, and the arm should be warmed up first with bands or light throwing.
More softball drills by skill
- Softball hitting drills9 drills
Tee and front toss work for a short, level swing that drives the ball. Most of these need a tee, a net and a bucket of balls.
- Softball fielding drills7 drills
Ground balls off a wall, short hops, quick transfers and fly ball footwork. A glove, a wall and a few tennis balls cover most of it.
- Softball pitching drills3 drills
Windmill mechanics and strike throwing into a net or to a parent catcher.
- Softball catcher drills4 drills
Blocking balls in the dirt with a wall and tennis balls.
- Softball speed and arm care drills3 drills
First-step starts, home-to-first sprints and a band routine to warm up the arm before throwing.
Assign softball drills to your team
Use the drills in this library or make your own. Coaches assign them as homework between practices, and players open each drill on their phone, do it and check in when they finish.
Get the Bravara app- 01
Pick drills or make your own
Start from the softball drills in this library, copy one and change it, or write your own with steps, a YouTube video, your own photos and videos or a link to read. Then assign it to the whole team or to certain players and set how many days a week.
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Players do them at home
Players open the drill on their phone, watch the video or read the steps, do the drill and check in when they finish. They can upload a video of their work too.
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Players log a result
A drill can have one result to track, like strikes out of 30. Results stay private to the player and their family, and players earn XP and levels as they keep checking in.
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The coach sees who did it
Coaches see who has checked in on each drill and can react or reply to a player's check-in.
Assign softball throwing drills with Bravara Reps
Coaches assign drills to the team or to certain players. Players check in from home, log a result and earn XP as they go.
