Softball training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What softball training is

Softball training teaches fast pitch mechanics, hitting, fielding and base running, using drills that fit each player's position and age. Players book it before a season, before a tryout, or when a skill like hitting the pitch or fielding a grounder keeps letting them down.

Signs you need it

  • The player swings late or fouls off pitches that come in at the same height
  • Throws to first or second base sail or bounce before they arrive
  • The player misses ground balls because of footwork or glove position
  • Late jumps or lost steps on leads and steals cost the team outs
  • A pitcher's rise or changeup is not working in games and the mechanics need work

What the pro does

  • Watches the player hit, field and run to find the one skill to fix first
  • Works on hitting stance, load and contact point with tee and front toss drills
  • Teaches fielding footwork and glove position for ground balls and fly balls in the infield or outfield
  • Trains fast pitch mechanics, including grip, arm path and release, in short sets with rest
  • Covers base running reads, leads and steal technique for the player's position

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Individual or group training
  • The player's age, position and level
  • Session length and the number of sessions in a block
  • Field, cage or facility location and whether facility time is included
  • Whether the trainer provides balls, bats, gloves and tees
  • Whether pitching mechanics are part of the plan, since they often need more time than hitting

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and start date
  • Facility location and whether facility time is included
  • Whether balls, tees and pitching machine use are included
  • Group size and whether the session is individual
  • Make-up policy for rain and facility closures

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you check first when you watch my player hit, field and run?
  • How do you plan pitching work for rest and pitch counts?
  • How do you train infielders and outfielders differently?
  • Do you use a pitching machine or live pitches for hitting work?
  • Will you give my player drills to do at home or at a park?
  • What is your coaching background, and do you hold a coaching certificate?
  • How will we measure progress over the next month?

Red flags

  • Changes a pitcher's motion in one session without explaining why or checking the player's pace
  • Pushes young pitchers to throw many pitches in a day without rest
  • Promises a college recruiting spot or a roster place
  • Uses the same hitting or fielding drills for every position

What you can do yourself

Players can practice tee work, ground balls and catching in the yard, and film hitting from the side to check stance and contact point. Timed sprints from the bag help with base running reads and jumps. Hire a trainer when a hitting, fielding or pitching problem keeps coming back, when a pitcher is changing mechanics, or when a player is learning a new position.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to train softball players. Ask whether the trainer holds a coaching certificate and whether the facility requires insurance. If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check. Check with your state or local licensing agency only for facility rules that affect sessions.

Softball training questions

Is training useful for a player who already plays on a team?

Yes. Team practice focuses on the group. Individual training lets the player work on one skill, such as a stance or a footwork pattern, with more repetitions than team practice allows.

Should my player buy a specific bat or glove?

Check the league's equipment rules first. Ask the trainer whether the bat or glove fits the player's size and position before you buy.

Does the trainer need a background check?

If the trainer works with children, ask for a copy of the background check before the first session. Many leagues and facilities require one.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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