The European Softball Federation is currently running a video contest to find the best fastpitch or slowpitch drills, and a drill submitted by the Chichester Falcons Softball Club has been posted, along with other entries, on the ESF Facebook page.
You can find full details on the contest here.
The original closing date for the contest was 30 May, but this has now been extended to 5 June.
Chichester drill
The drill submitted by Chichester Falcons coach David Morris is an infield throwing drill with a unique twist.
“We invented this drill ourselves for the infield,” David said, but we find it’s a good workout for runners too!”
Here is how the drill works (you can see it in action on the ESF Facebook page here:
1. Have the infield throw from C – SS – 1B – 3B – 2B – C, over and over again.
2. Give a runner a whistle and have them jog around the bases.
3. At any time, the runner can blow the whistle. When this happens, the infielders have to suddenly get the runner out.
4. Start with force-outs and then progress to tag-outs and/or or run-downs. You can also set up two runners to throw out -- just start one at home and one at second base.
Contest conditions
The general conditions for the contest are:
- Each participant may submit up to three videos, showing the execution of a defensive practice drill.
- Maximum length is 30 seconds per video.
- An English explanation/description of the drill must be included – either within the video, or enclosed in written form (maximum of 1000 characters). This description should contain the main objective of the drill, other useful information may be included (e.g. recommendations for execution, common mistakes).
- Videos must be sent to: contest@europeansoftball.org.
The prizes on offer are:
- The winner will get a free pass to an ESF coach/player clinic, a one-year European Softball Coaches Association membership, a certificate of recognition and a full set of ESF merchandise.
- The runner-up will get a one-year European Softball Coaches Association membership, a certificate of recognition and a set of ESF merchandise.
- Third place will receive a certificate of recognition and a set of ESF merchandise.
Contest entries will be judged by a panel of European coaches, including former Great Britain and Dutch Women’s Team Head Coach Craig Montvidas, currently coaching in the National Pro Fastpitch League in the United States.