8 and 10u softball infield drills
Fun 10U Softball Drills for Infield: Engage, Teach, and Build Skills
Coaching 10U softball is all about helping young players develop fundamental skills while keeping practices engaging and fun. Infielders at this age are learning the basics of fielding, throwing, footwork, and teamwork. To keep spirits high and maximize learning, integrating games, competitions, and inventive drills into your sessions is vital. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive collection of fun 10U softball infield drills, with explanations, setup instructions, and coaching tips to help your team thrive.
1. Triangle Fielding Drill
Purpose: Teaches infielders to cover ground balls from different directions, improves agility, and reinforces fundamental glove work.
Setup:
Draw a triangle in the dirt around a base or on open ground, each side roughly 6-8ft. Pair up players.
How It Works:
The fielder kneels at the base of the triangle.
Their partner rolls ground balls to three different points: straight on, to the forehand, and backhand.
Once they master glove work without a glove, add the glove and increase the pace.
Coaching Tips:
Focus on “soft hands” and proper fielding posture.
Keep the drill moving fast to keep attention and energy up.
Allow players to rotate positions after several repetitions.
2. Alligator Traps
Purpose: Makes fielding fun and memorable while teaching players to use two hands to secure the ball.
Setup:
Line up players facing a coach or parent with a bucket of balls.
How It Works:
Coach rolls grounders to each player.
Players “snap” the glove and bare hand together like an alligator’s mouth closing on the ball.
Coaching Tips:
Use funny noises (“Snap! Chomp!”) to keep kids laughing and focused.
Award points for technique, not just results.
3. Ground Ball Shuffle
Purpose: Instills footwork discipline and readiness to move laterally.
Setup:
Create a 10ft line using cones. Players start at one end, in fielding position.
How It Works:
Coach rolls a grounder to the player, who shuffles sideways to field the ball, resets, and continues until reaching the far cone.
Once at the end, the player sprints back and tags the next in line.
Coaching Tips:
Focus on keeping the body low and feet wide.
Reward hustle and correct posture.
4. Pendulum Throwing Drill
Purpose: Teaches weight transfer and throwing mechanics, critical for accurate, powerful infield throws.
Setup:
Line up players facing a partner, about 20ft apart.
How It Works:
Player rocks back and forth three times, shifting weight from back to front foot.
On the third rock, they make a strong throw to their partner.
Coaching Tips:
Emphasize pointing the lead shoulder toward the target.
Discuss follow-through and wrist snap for accuracy.
5. Lazy Catch (Kneeling Grounders)
Purpose: Focuses players on glove angle and reading the bounce of ground balls.
Setup:
Players kneel on two knees in the infield with gloves, coach nearby with softballs.
How It Works:
Coach gently rolls grounders.
Players field on their knees, ensuring they use good glove technique.
Coaching Tips:
Prevents players from “cheating” with their feet.
Encourages soft hands and correct fielding motion.
6. Pop Quiz
Purpose: Helps infielders track fly balls and react quickly.
Setup:
Players line up at their positions. Coach tosses or hits short pop-ups.
How It Works:
Coach calls the player’s name and hits/tosses a pop-up.
The fielder must read, charge, and catch (or call off teammates).
Coaching Tips:
Discuss calling for the ball to prevent collisions.
Celebrate every great catch with team encouragement.
7. Point Value Bunting Drill
Purpose: Builds situational awareness and soft contact skills for bunting infield hits.
Setup:
Assign point zones for where successful bunts land (e.g., zone near third base = 2pts, just past pitcher = 1pt).
How It Works:
Each player gets four bunts.
Coach scores where each bunt stops.
Totals are tallied; prizes or praise for high scorers!
Coaching Tips:
Teach bunting on the upper part of the bat, not at the tip.
Encourage controlled, “dead” bunts for maximum points.
8. Belly Up Reaction Drill
Purpose: Improves reaction speed and body control.
Setup:
Players start lying on their bellies facing the coach.
How It Works:
On “Go!” players jump up, get into fielding position, and react to a grounder or pop-up.
Coaching Tips:
Keep a quick pace.
Use it as a tiebreaker: first to field clean wins.
9. Grab Bag Challenge
Purpose: Keeps infielders alert and thinking fast.
Setup:
Players in a circle or small group.
How It Works:
Coach randomly alternates grounders, pop-ups, or tossing the ball for a quick tag.
Coaching Tips:
Never announce what’s coming next.
Rotate quickly to keep everyone moving.
10. Short Hop Showdown
Purpose: Hones ability to react to tough infield bounces.
Setup:
Pair up players, one with a glove, the other tossing the ball.
How It Works:
Tosser throws short hops for partner to scoop cleanly.
Coaching Tips:
Teach glove angle (out in front, not under the body).
Encourage use of “soft hands” to cushion the ball.
11. Slide Catch Drill
Purpose: Teaches lateral movement and finishing strong on tough infield plays.
Setup:
Players begin in a squat with glove extended. Coach about 15ft away.
How It Works:
On signal, the coach throws a grounder just out of reach.
Player slides laterally, dropping to one knee if needed to secure the catch.
Coaching Tips:
Teach players to lead with the glove-side knee.
Emphasize fast movement and maintaining focus on the ball.
12. Freeze-Hitting Drill (for infield reaction when fielding)
Purpose: Builds batting discipline and reinforces infield “read and react” skills.
Setup:
Tee with ball set up at regular batting height.
How It Works:
Coach says, “Load”… batter gets to loaded position and freezes for 3sec.
Coach calls “Go”… batter swings. Infielders must react on contact.
Coaching Tips:
For infielders: remind to “move on contact.”
For hitters: focus on balance and head position through the freeze.
13. The Box (Rapid Reaction)
Purpose: Rapid-fire balls in different infield “hot zones,” teaches footwork and positioning.
Setup:
Place 4 cones in a box, each about 10ft apart.
How It Works:
The player starts at one cone; coach hits/rolls a grounder to any spot inside the box, alternating location unpredictably.
Player fields, throws to a coach/teammate at a target, and sprints to the next cone.
Coaching Tips:
Remind players to set their feet before every throw, even under pressure.
14. Gold Glove Game
Purpose: Competitive infield game that simulates real-game pressure.
Setup:
Entire infield positions filled, with one ball in play.
How It Works:
Coach hits balls around the infield; routine and tough plays.
Players earn “gold glove” points for great stops and strong throws.
Most points at the end is the “Gold Glove” of the day.
Coaching Tips:
Rotate positions for all players to try every spot.
Emphasize hustle and effort, not just clean plays.
Practice Structure: Keeping It Fun and Fast
Warm Up (10min):
Fun throw-around and partner throws, relay races, or tag games.Skill Stations (30min):
Break infielders into small groups rotating through 2-3 drills above.Team Competitions (20min):
Combine several drills into mini-competitions or team challenges.Game Simulation (20min):
Finish with a short scrimmage, focusing on infield situations.Cool Down & Praise (10min):
Always end with high fives, shoutouts for hustle, and a fun team chant.
Pro Tips for 10U Infield Drills
Keep lines short: No one learns or has fun standing around!
Celebrate effort: High fives and shoutouts keep confidence high.
Explain the “why”: Kids love knowing how a drill connects to real games.
Rotate positions: Let everyone try shortstop, second, third, and first.
Get parents involved: Rotate them as helpers for stations—more balls, less waiting!
By mixing and matching the drills above, you’ll ensure every 10U practice is lively, educational, and full of laughter. These activities will help young infielders master the fundamentals of softball while loving the process—and you might find that your practices become the highlight of the week for your players and their families.
