Play Defense
It doesn't matter what kind of softball you play, you still need to play good smart defense! You may have heard that slow-pitch softball is all offense with lot's of runs being scored. It's all stick and no defense. That's not always true!
A good defensive ball team can shut you down! Defense can save your team runs! One bad inning and here comes that 10 run inning. Defense SAVES games even in that 22-20 game!
When the defense gives the other team more than 3 outs in an inning, it can mean trouble. Maybe the team does not communicate! No one's talking! At times the players don't even know how many outs there are and forget about the runners on base.
Can you spell.... Communication? The outfielders need to talk out there, let your teammates know where you are, let them know you're there to back them up. You don't want to run them over or have them run into you, so TALK. We have all seen this happen, outfielders running into each other, ugly things can happen.
Knowing where each other is playing can help with catching fly balls instead of balls falling in between players. We've all seen where two outfielders stop and look at each other? The ball fell in between them and then they both say, I thought you had it. Players need to yell out something. I GOT IT or BALL, you need to say something! Can you hear me now! That way someone can help back up the play.
How many times have you seen a runner take an extra base on a player who throws the ball to the wrong base, or tries to get a runner at third, and then the other base runner just moved up! There's goes the easy out at second, and the double play ball. You DO NOT want to give teams the extra base, or the extra out. Good teams will kill you this way, and your team will not win many games throwing the ball around.
To all the outfielders. Hit your cut off man. If you're the cut-off man you need to throw your hands up in order to be seen, and this also will give the outfielder a better chance of hitting you. One thing you need to make sure of is get out far enough to take the throw from the outfield, know your outfielders. You want to catch the ball when it's still in the air, you don't want those short hops, they will and do find away to get by you. Plus you'll stand a better chance of making the play, work together as a team.
Infielders need to keep the ball in front of them, you always want to get that lead runner when you can, if you have an out take it. For the most part run the runner back to the base before you throw, pick off's are great, but over throws can cost you the game. Always back up when you can, no need to just stand there and do nothing, you never know when the ball will get by another player. Good teams with good defense will play this way, and sometimes you can get an easy out, or if you don't back up, runs can score.
There's so many little things on the ball field if not played right, can make you look bad and lose games. The team with good defense can win games when the sticks aren't hitting, and even when the sticks are. THINK DEFENSE PLAYERS. Look good on the ball field. Play together as a TEAM.
Hope these tips helps, because some times we just need to get back to the basics. The better we do the little things can lead to more wins on the softball field, and we can even look good doing it.
The Basics - Batting Tips - Play Defense - Managers Tips - Practice Drills - Base Coaching - Lineup Ideas
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