looking for indoor fun skill building games

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looks like another week could be washed out with the predicted weather. Practicing inside is getting old.

Are there any games that you play inside that are fun and works on skills, if so please share and explain

Thanks

We have played 9 games to date.

 

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You know, I might just consider canceling practice with instructions to the players to take the time to do something else productive with the afternoon. And I would probably define "productive" as anything that takes the players' minds off of the frustration caused by the weather this season and that doesn't have a significant downside risk. I'm talking spending some time on a different passion, doing something fun that doesn't cost money, cleaning out the inside of that car that the player now gets to drive (maybe even a multi-player "car cleaning" with the stereos blaring), creating a couple of new itunes playlists for the car, taking a beauty shower that includes hair and skin conditioning, getting a pedicure/manicure if cost is not a problem . . . . you get the picture. Players are at least every bit as frustrated as parents and coaches when the weather is so uncooperative. If the weather has forced Ohio softball back into inside the gym drills, maybe it's time to take at least a day's break from Ohio softball.

Those high achiever Type-A players might want to use the extra time for school work, and that's cool too.

 

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We have used a drill before to promote fielding bunts and throwing. Picked it up from a clinic I attended. Uses teams of 2 players and can be timed for competition.

Set up 5 balls about 10 feet from baseline of gym, spread about 5 feet apart from each other. One player is going to be the fielder, starts on baseline, runs to first ball gets in correct fielding position for fielding a bunt and throws to her teammate. Then back to the baseline, then back to the next ball in line. The other player is sitting on a bucket about 60 feet away. The player on the bucket can't come off the bucket to catch the throw. Once all 5 balls have been retrieved by the player on the bucket she sprints back to the baseline where player one started, then time stops.

We have also used this for outfielders where they start in front of the balls and work on going back to the ball (like to the fence) and making a strong throw to the cut off person.

 

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cgs that thought has crossed out mind. maybe middle of the week depending on what the outlook may be.

fgatorsa-thanks may try that tonight.

 

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If you have a decent sized Gym you can do the following game. Split into squads of around 6.

I will use a basketball court to reference where to set up. Set up tee under one hoop, one squad offense, one defense. Use softie on tee. Team on defense set three players on half court line, three on opposite free throw line extended. Offensive team hits ball until they get three outs then switch. A pop fly that hits ceiling prior to half court is an out and no points. A pop fly that hits after half court is an out and one point. A ground ball fielded prior to half court is an out and no points, A ground ball that gets past half court (but not past second line) is a point and not an out. Anything that gets past second line is 3 points. Hit far wall in air is 5 pointsUse imaginary line from tee to edges of half court as fair/foul. Can optionally give one foul ball or multiple (if trying to work placement).

Can alternately do this with 3 teams of 4 with one squad rotating in.

Part of the fun is telling the kids after they field the third out on defense, it's a free for all to get in and bat prior to the other team getting into position on defense. You will see some real hustle as the former defense tries to get some cheap points on the former offense as they scramble to take the field.

 

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If you have a decent sized Gym you can do the following game. Split into squads of around 6.

I will use a basketball court to reference where to set up. Set up tee under one hoop, one squad offense, one defense. Use softie on tee. Team on defense set three players on half court line, three on opposite free throw line extended. Offensive team hits ball until they get three outs then switch. A pop fly that hits ceiling prior to half court is an out and no points. A pop fly that hits after half court is an out and one point. A ground ball fielded prior to half court is an out and no points, A ground ball that gets past half court (but not past second line) is a point and not an out. Anything that gets past second line is 3 points. Hit far wall in air is 5 pointsUse imaginary line from tee to edges of half court as fair/foul. Can optionally give one foul ball or multiple (if trying to work placement).

Can alternately do this with 3 teams of 4 with one squad rotating in.

Part of the fun is telling the kids after they field the third out on defense, it's a free for all to get in and bat prior to the other team getting into position on defense. You will see some real hustle as the former defense tries to get some cheap points on the former offense as they scramble to take the field.

I'm with you here on everything except one thing. When either defensive line makes the play do they throw anywhere or is it just to promote good fielding and aggressive charging on grounders etc?

 

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I'm with you here on everything except one thing. When either defensive line makes the play do they throw anywhere or is it just to promote good fielding and aggressive charging on grounders etc?

Throwing back to the coach who loads the tee, alternately you can have someone throwing front toss from behind a screen and anything that hits the screen is a redo.

IMO working fielding, directional hitting within a race/competitive/fun drill.