Front Toss
Also known as: front toss, front toss drill, front toss behind a screen, soft toss vs front toss
Front toss is a hitting drill where a coach sits or kneels behind a protective L-screen in front of the hitter and feeds the ball underhand toward the plate. The ball comes from the pitcher's direction. That makes it better than side flips for training timing. The feeder must stay behind the net.
The coach sits on a bucket or kneels a short distance in front of the plate. Each ball travels underhand on a line or a slight arc into the zone. Because it arrives from straight ahead, the hitter has to time it, read location and use a real load and stride.
Side flips mainly train feel and quick reps. Feeding from straight ahead adds timing and direction, and it is one step closer to a live arm. Coaches can mix firm and slow feeds or change locations to train adjustments. Moving closer and feeding firmer raises the challenge.
The L-shaped net protects the coach. Release from beside its tall side and duck behind it right after each feed. Never feed from in front of it. Pick balls that suit the space and the backstop.
Tips by skill level
Feed from behind the net and duck behind it right after each throw. Aim at the middle of the plate to start.
Mix firm and slow feeds at random. It teaches the hitter to stay back on off-speed without losing the fastball.
Example
A coach kneels behind an L-screen and mixes firm feeds with slow ones. The hitter has to wait on the slow ones without lunging. Over a few sessions she learns to stay back and still drive the firm ones.
Why it matters
This drill often gives the best mix of quality reps and real timing. It sits between the tee and live arms in most practice plans.
Common mistakes
- Feeding without a protective net
- Staying exposed after release instead of ducking behind the net
- Feeding every ball at one speed and spot
- Sitting so close that each feed is rushed and wild
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between soft toss and front toss?
Soft toss comes from the side, so it trains feel and quick reps. Front toss comes from straight ahead like a pitch, so it also trains timing. It needs a protective net.
How do you do front toss safely?
Sit or kneel behind an L-screen and feed underhand from beside its tall side. Duck behind it right after each throw. Never feed from in front of it.
How far away should you front toss?
Close enough to feed accurately from behind the net. Many coaches move closer and feed firmer to make it harder, or back off for younger hitters.
Related terms
- Soft TossSoft toss is a hitting drill where a partner kneels off to the side, a little ahead of the hitter, and flips the ball underhand into the hitting zone. The hitter drives it into a net. It adds a moving ball without real pitch speed. The partner must stay clear of the bat and the ball's path.
- Batting Tee Work (Tee Placement)Tee work is hitting a ball off a stationary batting tee to groove the swing. Place the tee where you want contact. For a middle pitch, that is usually a little in front of the front hip. Move it deeper for an outside pitch and farther out front for an inside pitch, and set the height to the part of the zone you are working on.
- Pitching Machine PracticeA pitching machine lets a hitter see many pitches at a set velocity and location. Reaction time depends on both velocity and distance. Moving the unit closer makes a slower pitch play faster. Start at a setting you can square up, then add challenge with more velocity, less distance or mixed pitches.
- Random PracticeRandom (or variable) practice mixes skills, shots, or conditions in a session. Studies often find it beats blocked repetition for long-term retention and transfer to real play.
- Pitch RecognitionPitch recognition is identifying a pitch's type and location early — out of the pitcher's hand and from spin — so the hitter can commit to a swing or take decision before it's too late to act.
Related guides & benchmarks
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