In an attempt to keep this segment simple, BP Reps: Soft Toss is a station where a coach uses soft toss to get swings… and maybe even teach something!

EXECUTION – Soft toss is sitting to side of athlete and gently tossing the ball into the strike zone.  Coach uses a slow and predictable underhand toss to put the baseball into a desired location for the hitter.  The batter typically hits balls into a catch net to control ball flight and allow both athlete and coach to focus on swing mechanics.  Strikes are virtually guaranteed, which means the athletes can quickly get swings and the drill can move along.  There are three main execution variables:

1. Format – Drill can be run in a cage, bullpen, open grass area… virtually anywhere.
2. Location – Soft Toss allows for ball to be thrown inside, outside, up or down.
3. Material – Straight forward, freezes (take arm back and fake a toss), change-up toss (higher ball flight, unexpected to the batter)

DC KEYS

1. Instruction – Soft toss is appropriate for all hitters.  On-deck batter can stride & load in rhythm with coach’s toss.
2. Coaching Opportunity for Success – Don’t need to be hitting coach to keep athletes busy and get swings!  Move quickly, involve a couple different rounds of exeuction.
3. Broken Movements – Take the hand back, wait for a stride and load, then continue with toss for athlete swing.  Later, when going full speed, mix in a fake toss and freeze!  See if the athlete stays “loaded” or lunges forward with the hands and body.

EQUIPMENT LIST