Batting Progression: Tee, Soft Toss, Front Toss
A three-station circuit to learn softball batting step by step: hitting a still ball, a ball tossed from the side, and a ball tossed from the front. Plastic perforated balls keep the risk minimal. Students practice the grip, stance, hip rotation, and safety in the batting zone.
How to play
- Explain the swing in 3 minutes: knuckles lined up on the grip, feet shoulder-width apart, load back, short stride, hip rotation, and a level bat finishing high.
- Form 8 groups of three (one of four): batter, tosser or setter, and shagger. Three stations are repeated in a row, all hitting toward the same wall or open area.
- Tee station: set the ball on a tall cone at waist height; 8 swings, then rotate roles.
- Soft toss station: the tosser kneels 6 ft away off to the side and drops the ball in front of the batter; 8 swings and rotate.
- Front toss station: the tosser stands 20 ft away behind a cone, tosses gently underhand, and steps aside after release; 8 swings.
- Each group spends 6 minutes per station and, when they switch, shares which part of their swing improved (21 min).
Rules
- Safety: nobody enters a 10 ft circle around a batter holding a bat.
- Collect balls only after all are hit and every bat is on the ground.
- At the soft toss station, the tosser always stays behind the batter's line.
Variations
Easier
Use bigger balls and hit only from the tee and soft toss.
Standard
Three stations, 8 swings per person, and rotating roles.
Harder
At front toss, the tosser calls 'inside' or 'outside' first and the batter adjusts the direction.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student bats seated with the tee at chest height.
- Visual impairment: use a neon ball and a verbal 'now' cue on release.
- Skill level: advanced batters can take one-handed swings to fine-tune control.
Learning goals
- Swing with the correct grip, stance, and hip rotation.
- Adjust the swing to still and moving balls.
- Respect safe distances in the batting zone.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft bats: 9
- plastic perforated balls: 40
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
The most common mistake is swinging with just the arms, so have batters finish with their belly button facing the pitcher. Set the stations in a line so you can watch all three safety circles at once.
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