Not many softball enthusiasts appreciate the role of fielders in softball. To them, the job of fielders is only to stand up outside the field and wait for the ball to drop.

But for coaches, it won't take long for you to realize the important role that fielders have in this game. Without them, the team's defense would be flimsy and would be severely limited.

So if you're a player wanting to create fantastic defense for your team, why don't you check out the softball fielding tips that I have for you? Ready?

Your checklist of important softball fielding tips

Here's your checklist of some of the most important things you should do when you're fielding:

§ Keep low to the ground

§ Balance weight on the balls of the feet

§ Keep square to the ball

§ Be "ready" on every pitch

§ Be prepared to move when the ball enters the hitting area

§ Maintain good balance

§ Use two hands

§ Field the ball at the "top of the triangle" (both feet are bottom, hands are the top)

§ Position hands palm to palm

§ Cradle the ball to the center of the body

§ Develop soft hands

§ Take a positive step to the throwing position

§ Have quick feet

§ Communicate with infield teammates - call for the ball during double-plays and pop-ups

§ Cultivate strong, accurate throw

Overall, it's about being aware of the field, where the ball is and where your teammates are. But most important of all is knowing the proper fielding techniques. Why? Because it makes your job a lot easier. Imagine yourself not fumbling to get the ball every time it reaches you, or knowing where to position yourself almost immediately after the batter hits the ball.

Why good fielding skills is important

But why do you want to do these things? After all, you're probably thinking that you're going to spend most of your time standing on the outfield anyway.

Again, it all boils down to defense. The better you are at catching the ball, the quicker you can throw the ball to your teammates, the better your chances of winning the game.

You may not be able to control how many runs you can make in the game, but you can surely control the runs that your opponent makes. How can you control that? With good defense of course. If you do well at catching fly balls and throwing the ball to a baseman before a baserunner gets there, you can limit your opponent's score severely. And for softball teams, there's nothing else more important than winning.

So if you haven't nailed down your fielding skills just yet, I strongly recommend that you start practicing them now. See the difference that it makes to your game. See how much easier it is to catch balls without them slipping your glove, how to throw the ball more accurately to your teammates and more.

If you liked these softball fielding tips that I just shared with you, why don't you check out more softball tips in my website at www.softballperformance.com? I'll see you there!

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