Softball is Fun

Soft Toss Hitting Drill

Soft toss is a simple, high-rep hitting drill where a coach or partner gently tosses balls from the side to a hitter, who focuses on a short, direct swing. It is great for cleaning up swing mechanics, building confidence, and getting a lot of quality swings in a short amount of time.

What You Need

• Batting helmet for the hitter.
• Bucket of 20–40 baseballs or softballs.
• Bat and batting gloves (optional but recommended).
• L-screen or protective net for the tosser (optional but recommended).
• Flat plate or home plate (optional but recommended).

How to Set It Up

• Hitter position: Hitter stands in a normal stance at the plate, facing where the ball will be hit (toward the field or net).
• Tosser position: Coach or partner kneels or sits on a bucket about 6–8 feet to the side and slightly in front of the hitter (front toss angle). For right-handed hitters, tosser is slightly in front and to the hitter’s open side; reverse for lefties.
• Safety screen: Place an L-screen or net between the hitter and the tosser so that batted balls are protected.
• Ball path: Tosses should travel slightly upward from the hip area of the tosser into the hitter’s hitting zone, about waist-high over the plate.
• Target area: Set up a net or clear area 20–40 feet in front of the hitter for balls to be hit into.

How to Run the Drill

• Round length: 8–12 swings per round works well. Rotate hitters quickly to keep them engaged.
• Rhythm: Tosser shows the ball, lets the hitter get set, then delivers a smooth, underhand toss into the zone. Keep a consistent tempo.
• Focus cue: Give the hitter one simple focus at a time (e.g., “hands inside the ball,” “line drives middle,” or “quiet head”).
• Quality over speed: Do not rush. Reset the hitter between swings as needed to maintain good mechanics.
• Ball placement: Mix locations slightly (in, out, up, down) once the hitter is comfortable, but avoid “chase” tosses that force bad habits.
• Feedback: Offer short, clear coaching points between swings or rounds, not during the swing.

Coaching Tips and Variations

• Middle-first approach: Start by driving balls back up the middle before working inside and outside locations.
• Contact-only rounds: Run a round where the hitter focuses just on making solid contact, not power.
• Target practice: Place cones or markers in the field/net and have hitters aim line drives at those spots.
• Two-strike round: Emphasize staying short and protecting the zone, simulating two-strike situations.
• Tempo check: If swings get wild or off-balance, slow down the pace and reduce swing count per round.
• Finish with feel: End each session with 5–10 of the hitter’s “best-feel” swings, reinforcing what good contact feels like.