Softball · Team defence & relays · Decision-making

Defensive positioning by hitter and count

The defence learns to move before every pitch: shading for slappers, pull hitters and power hitters, and adjusting again as the count changes.

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Start / 5
Time
25 min
Players
10–16
Age
U16+
Area
Full diamond
Equipment
20 softballs (bucket)4 bases1 protective L-screen3 batting helmets with face guards1 full catcher's gear2 fielder face masks for corner infielders (recommended)8 hitter cards (type, side, tendencies)

Setup

  1. Full defence on the field, catcher in full gear. A coach stands near the first-base dugout with hitter cards.
  2. Each card describes a batter: side (left or right), type (slapper, contact, pull power, opposite-field), and what they do at two strikes.
  3. For the live part, a coach throws from behind an L-screen and real batters in helmets with face guards play the card's role.
  4. Before you start, check your competition's rules on where fielders may stand at the pitch; usually every fielder except the catcher must start in fair territory.

How it runs

  1. Walk-through (10 minutes): the coach shows a card and calls a count. The catcher relays the positioning with a sign, and every fielder moves to their spot. The coach checks each fielder, then changes the count.
  2. Use three base positions everyone knows: normal, shaded (two or three steps), and full shift (to the pull side, corners deep or corners in).
  3. Live (15 minutes): batters hit live pitches while playing the card. The defence sets before every pitch and plays the ball out.
  4. After each batter, ask one fielder why they stood where they did.
  5. Change catchers or captains running the signs so more players learn to read the hitter.

Coaching points

  • Move before every pitch, not every batter. Count, runners and outs change the best spot.
  • Left-side slapper: corners in, shortstop shades towards the hole, outfield shallower, second baseman ready to cover first.
  • Right-handed pull power: third and short shade to the pull side and deeper, outfield to the pull side and back.
  • Two strikes: most hitters shorten up and go the other way, so shade back a step towards the middle and the opposite field.
  • Pitch type matters too: the catcher can signal a change-up (more pull) or a drop away (more opposite field).
  • Outfielders talk with the infield and with each other so the gaps are covered and nobody shifts alone.

Common mistakes

  • Setting once at the start of the at-bat and forgetting to adjust.
  • Moving so early that the batter sees it and changes the plan.
  • Shifting the infield but not the outfield, leaving a big gap behind.
  • Corner infielders drawn in without face masks against a hard-swinging hitter.

Say it: “New pitch, new spot.”

Make it harder

  • Batters may change approach mid at-bat (fake slap, then hit away); the defence must react.
  • Add runners so positioning must also cover double plays, bunts and steals.
  • Captains set the defence with no coach help.

Make it easier

  • Walk-through only, with three cards.
  • Infield only first, then add the outfield.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.