Softball Skills 2012

Baseball/Softball Assessment Name: _______________________

Throwing

Grip

____ l. Hold the ball by the fingers and the palm.

____ 2. Grip the ball tightly with the fingers across the seams.

____ 3. Place the thumb under the ball and on the side opposite the little finger.

____ 4. Grip the ball tightly.

Throwing Release

____1. Use a forward back stride stance (one foot in front of the other with the dominant

leg back (right-handed thrower will have the right leg back).

____2. Throw from a stable base.

____3. Face the target.

____4. Arm up elbow off body6. Shift the center of gravity from back to forward.

____5. Rotate throwing side forward-and transfer the weight to the front leg.

____6. Release with a wrist snap. Follow through in the intended direction of flight.

____7. Hits Target

Catching

____1. Catch the ball above eye level on the throwing side of the body holding the glove

with fingers pointing up

____2. Place the throwing hand over the ball it goes into the glove to keep the ball in the glove.

____3. Flex the elbows to absorb the force of the caught ball.

____4. Keep the eyes focused on the ball when running after it.

____5. When the ball is falling short of the fielder extend the glove toward the oncoming

ball. Keep the glove open with the fingers pointed down.

____6. Move quickly to the ball and try to get the body positioned in front of it.

Fielding Ground Balls

Ready Position and Alignment

____1. Bend the knees and flex at the trunk so the glove and bare hand can touch the ground Keep the weight on the balls of the feet and the buttocks low to the ground.

____2. Keep the feet in a forward back stride position with the leg on the throwing side back.

____3. Bend the elbows and relax the arms and hands

____4. Keep the glove and bare hand in the open position with the bare hand ready to trap the ball into glove.

____5. Use the shuffle step to avoid crossing feet whenever possible when getting into a direct line with the path of the ball.

Transition from Fielding and Throwing

____1. Mark the transition, fielding and throwing the ball clean, smooth and fast.

____2. Know where to throw the ball before you field it.

____3. Find the target before releasing the ball.

____4. Stabilize your base of support before releasing the ball

____5. Keep your body position relaxed and flexed.