SOFTBALL

Click here for my Softball Talk
for the NHSACA Convention



SOFTBALL points that Dave George gave us at San Diego.
Email George for any questions about softball.

Offensive softball is a process. Product will be to your liking by working on the present challenges. Great offense is created by great practice ... great practice is created by great effort of determined athletes. Winning is only a by-product (not a focus). Focus on winning can create tension. Take the game as a game. Execute properly by practicing game-like situations.

1. Using Your Weapons
   Power, speed, quickness, intelligence, surprise, consistency, making adjustments, responsible, bunt, sneaky bunt, slap bunt, arms, committment, intensity, aggressiveness, prepared, goal-setters, strength...physical, mental, emotional.
   Making adjustments...knowing your speed.
   
   
2. Bunting
   If you can not bunt...you can not win, bunt in front, angle the bat, point the bat, catch the ball, arms do not move, pivot at the waist on outside pitches, sneaky bunt, push bunt
   
   
3. Slap bunts
   Amy Chellevolds tape is the best
   Hands must stay above the ball if bat is level...if barrel is above the hands (like it is suppose to be) hands can be even with the ball.
   Contact when back foot lands and take off
   Get out of the box...straight to the outside corner of first base..no runner interference
   
   
4. Hitting Away
   Most important thing is to have balance after the stride.
   short stride
   weight on the insides of your feet
   Bottom Up ... pivot is second most important ... to the contact point ... belly button to the contact point.
   Top half ... hands inside the ball vs hands outside the ball...hammer hands/bat angle
   
   
5. Baserunning
   Home to first
   ground ball to player
   ground ball through infield
   line drive over infield
   Leadoffs ... what is the rule? When do you take the chance? How to leave on time/early? Stealing - take a peak.
   Sliding-Diving ... straight in/ slide by ... hook ... dive back.
   
   
6. Alertness
   During the time the ball is outside the circle ... next base unattended ... attention of fields focus ... loose ball.
   Ball in the circle ... ball out of pitcher's possession ... choose your direction ... umpires' focus
   
   
7. Running
   Mechanics ... short choppy start ... longer steps with lean ... staying low ... pumping arms correctly.
   Thinking ahead ... knowing your speed capabilities ... knowing the other teams arms ... knowing the other teams positions ... aggressiveness vs recklessness ... halfway or tag up ... making decisions before the coach says it ... confidence.
   
   
8. Hitting Drills
   back knee, bat on hip stride, bam-bams, basketball drills, fence drills, vision drills, sight .. track .. smash, simple tracking ... far and near, string set, water drills ... pool drills, quickness drills .. timing drills.