HITTING DRILLS - SOFT TOSS

PUBLISHED BY OHS VARSITY BASEBALL

SOFT TOSS

1. There are many different variations of effective soft toss.  We like to keep it as simple as possible.  For the most part, we only include two variations. 
2. Coaches, take the time to demonstrate proper feeds.  This is the most important skill in any hitting drill. 
3. All feeds should be thrown underhand on a line to one of three locations.  1) Back hip, 2) Belly button, and 3) Front hip. 

Feeds

1. Back hip - thrown to simulate an outside pitch. 
2. Belly button - thrown to simulate a pitch in the middle of the plate.
3. Front hip - thrown to simulate an inside pitch. 
4. Tosser - always show the ball before the toss.  The hitter must be able to follow the ball for the entire movement. 
5. Tosser - show the ball, transfer back - almost like you are bowling, move forward until release.  Hit your target. 

Variations

1. Variation #1 - Tosser is kneeling down on one knee approximately 6 feet across from the hitter.  The tosser is also approximately 3 feet ahead of the hitter so that he can toss at a diagonal.
2. Variation #2 - Tosser is standing up and is approximately 8 feet across from the hitter.  The tosser is also approximately 6 feet ahead of the hitter so that he can toss at an angle.  Focus on pitches from middle of the plate to the inside half. 
3. Variation #3 - Tosser is on the back side of the hitter.  The tosser will then feed the ball across the strike zone to the outside corner - with the hitter driving the ball to the opposite field. 
4. Variation #4 - Tosser is behind the strike zone where the umpire would be set up to call a game.  The tosser than can make feeds through the strike zone with the hitter trying to keep hands back in the zone and driving through the ball.

Key Point

1. There are over a dozen variations of soft toss.  Again, our focus is to keep it simple.  Other drills or variations can be used to correct hitter weaknesses.  Every hitter will have different holes in which they need to cover or improve upon. 
2. Other variations:  top hand strong, bottom hand strong, no stride, no trigger, kneeling swings to increase upper body and wrist action, one hop toss, backward toss, etc. 
3. Focus on the two variations listed above and use other variations for corrections.