SOFT TOSS Drills for Developing Youth Baseball Players

Soft Toss Is An Essential Tool for Hitting Development – why it should be part of every practice plan.

Soft toss is one of the most fundamental and versatile hitting drills used by baseball coaches to help players develop their swing mechanics, improve hand-eye coordination, and build confidence in making contact with the ball. The drill involves a coach or partner gently tossing a ball underhand to the hitter, typically from a short distance in front or to the side. Soft toss provides a controlled environment where hitters can focus on refining their swing without the pressure of facing live pitching.

From a coaching perspective, soft toss drills are invaluable because they allow players to take numerous swings in a short period, providing consistent reps that reinforce muscle memory. This is in contrast to other drills, like live batting practice or machine work, which might offer fewer swings and less opportunity for detailed feedback. Soft toss can also target specific aspects of a hitter’s swing—whether it’s focusing on hand strength, footwork, or adjusting to different pitch heights or speeds—allowing for more personalized skill development.

Unlike tee drills, which focus on static ball placement, soft toss incorporates some level of ball movement, helping hitters prepare for live action. It serves as a bridge between static and dynamic training, giving coaches an effective way to teach players how to adjust to moving pitches while still maintaining a controlled environment.

Ball, Base, Backup has over 30 unique soft toss drills – here’s a few of the most commonly used soft toss drills:

  1. Regular Front Soft Toss
  2. Bounce Soft Toss
  3. Side Soft Toss
  4. Opposite Field Soft Toss
  5. High Soft Toss
  6. Low Soft Toss
  7. Rapid Fire Soft Toss
  8. Soft Toss with Two Different Ball Speeds
  9. Top Hand Soft Toss
  10. Bottom Hand Soft Toss
  11. Shuffle Soft Toss
  12. Behind The Back Soft Toss
  13. Weighted Soft Toss
  14. Mini-Whiffle Soft Toss
  15. Double Ball Soft Toss
  16. Eyes Closed Soft Toss
  17. Knee Down Soft Toss
  18. Cross Over Soft Toss
  19. Inside / Outside Soft Toss

Each of these drills offers specific benefits for developing youth players, from improving hand-eye coordination to helping players adjust to various pitch locations and speeds. Click on the links above to learn more about how to run each drill effectively and how they can be incorporated into your practices to maximize player development.

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