College coaches evaluate a prospective recruit’s playing ability based on a handful of skills. Since technique is crucial to success in softball, college coaches want to see skill videos in addition to your in-game highlights. Below, we outline the different positions in softball, and the skills college coaches will be looking for.

Softball Skills in Pinned Playlist:

• Hitting 

• Bunting

• Batting Practice

• Fielding IF

• Fielding OF

• Fielding Practice

• Pitching

• Pitching Practice

• Catching (for Catchers)

• Throwouts

• POP Time Drill

• Catching Practice

• Base Running

• Other

If you think something is missing or need assistance, submit a form here:  🔗 Form Link → 

*When adding skill and training video footage to your playlist, make sure the clips are correctly labeled with the corresponding skill tag (ie Skill: Hitting). For all in-game highlight clips, use the standard tag (ie Hitting).*

Infielders

When evaluating prospective infielders, college coaches are primarily looking for fielding and hitting ability. Although the skills across the various infield positions are essentially the same, college coaches typically place more emphasis on hitting or defensive ability depending on an athlete’s projection.

Middle Infielders (SS, 2B)

Middle Infielders (MIF) are typically considered the more defensive positions within the infield because they are most likely to be involved in double-play opportunities. Accordingly, having good footwork and arm accuracy is critical to success.

Corner Infielders (1B, 3B)

Corner Infielders (CIF) are typically considered the more offensive positions within the infield. College coaches are particularly looking for prospective recruits with strong hitting ability.

Infielder Skills

• Hitting

  • In-game hitting highlights are helpful for coaches to evaluate your hitting power plus your athleticism and speed leaving the batter’s box. Be sure to show the conclusion of the play and use the clip caption to explain the result (ie: single, double, triple, etc).

• Batting Practice

  • Batting practice video helps college coaches evaluate your technique and hitting fundamentals. Be sure to take multiple swings so coaches have multiple reps to watch. As a best practice, record some reps from behind the plate and others with the camera facing your stance (ie: right-handers will place the camera on the first-base side).

• Fielding IF

  • Game highlights of fielding plays help college coaches evaluate your throwing accuracy and ability to maintain technique during game situations. Make sure to include the hit at the clip's start and show the play to its conclusion.

• Fielding Practice

  • Fielding skill video helps college coaches evaluate your fielding technique and throwing mechanics. Show yourself fielding various types of ground balls (slow roll, chopper, square, backhand, etc) and throwing to first*. MIF players should also capture clips of turning two.

    • Athletes playing 1B can show throwing to second or third.

Outfielders

Outfield positions are often considered interchangeable, and the general skills coaches look for across the position group is the same. As an outfield prospect, use your playlist to showcase your hitting, fielding, and throwing ability.

Outfielder Skills

• Hitting

  • In-game hitting highlights are helpful for coaches to evaluate your hitting power and/or your athleticism and speed leaving the batter’s box. Be sure to show the conclusion of the play and use the clip caption to explain the result (ie: single, double, triple, etc).

• Batting Practice

  • Batting practice video helps college coaches evaluate your technique and hitting fundamentals. Be sure to take multiple swings so coaches have multiple reps to watch. As a best practice, record some reps from behind the plate and others with the camera facing your stance (ie: right-handers will place the camera on the first-base side).

• Fielding OF

  • Game highlights of fielding plays help college coaches evaluate your throwing accuracy and ability to maintain technique during game situations. Make sure to include the hit at the start of the clip and to show the play to its conclusion.

• Throwouts

  • Arm strength and accuracy are important for an OF’s defensive ability. If you have any clips making a strong throw to get a runner out, then make sure to include those in your playlist as well.

• Fielding Practice

  • Fielding skill video will show your ball tracking and throwing ability. Show yourself fielding fly balls and rollers then making throws to third- or home-base.

Catchers

• POP Time Drill

  • College coaches want to see training videos of your ability to transition between catching the pitch and throwing to second base. It’s one of the most effective ways for coaches to see your footwork and throwing mechanics.

• Throwouts

  • Similar to showing your POPs in skill videos, you should include any examples you have of throwing out stealing runners during games.

• Catching

  • Similar to your training video, game highlights of frames and blocks help show your comfort and movement behind the plate.

• Catching Practice

  • Use bullpen video to show your comfort behind the plate framing different pitches or blocking balls in the dirt.

• Hitting

  • In-game hitting highlights are helpful for coaches to evaluate your hitting power and/or your athleticism and speed leaving the batter’s box. Be sure to show the conclusion of the play and use the clip caption to explain the result (ie: single, double, triple, etc).

• Batting Practice

  • Batting practice video helps college coaches evaluate your technique and hitting fundamentals. Be sure to take multiple swings so coaches have multiple reps to watch. As a best practice, record some reps from behind the plate and others with the camera facing your stance (ie: right-handers will place the camera on the first-base side).

Pitchers

• Pitching Practice

  • Use training and bullpen videos to showcase the various pitches in your arsenal. Use the clip caption to label the pitch type so coaches can make an accurate evaluation. If you have one available, it’s helpful to include a radar gun in the display to help verify the pitch velocity.

• Pitching

  • You can use game highlights of pitching sequences to highlight your command and creativity on the mound.

• Fielding IF

  • Game highlights of fielding plays help college coaches evaluate your throwing accuracy and ability to maintain technique during game situations. Make sure to include the hit at the start of the clip and to show the play to its conclusion.

After learning what coaches are looking for with your specific position, it’s time to start creating your pinned playlist. Check out our article, “Building and Publishing Pinned Playlists,” to get started!