Soft Toss
Also known as: soft toss, soft toss drill, side toss drill, soft toss hitting, flip drill hitting
Soft 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.
The partner kneels a few feet away on the hitter's open side, slightly ahead. Each flip should arrive where contact should happen, often around belt height. The hitter drives it into a net or fence.
The ball arrives from the side, not from the mound, and its timing is nothing like a real pitch. The drill is good for feel, rhythm and quick reps. It bridges tee work and feeds from straight ahead. Common versions include high and low flips, two balls in the air with one called out, and quick-fire rounds.
Flip only when the hitter is set. Never kneel in line with the bat path or where a ball could be driven. A short protective net for the partner adds safety. Make sure the backstop can stop hard line drives.
Tips by skill level
Kneel to the side and a little ahead of the hitter. Flip to where contact should happen, about belt high.
Flip two balls and call one as they leave your hand. The hitter must pick it out and hit it.
Example
A dad kneels at an angle ahead of his 9-year-old and flips balls into the zone. She drives them into a backyard net. They do short rounds of ten and vary the height. Her contact gets more solid before the season starts.
Why it matters
This drill adds a moving ball with little space or equipment. It is one of the easiest drills for a parent and a young hitter.
Common mistakes
- Kneeling directly ahead of the hitter with no protection
- Flipping before the hitter is set
- Flipping to a spot behind the contact point
- Treating side-flip timing as game timing
Frequently asked questions
What is soft toss in baseball?
It is a drill where a partner kneels to the side, slightly ahead of the hitter, and flips the ball underhand into the zone. The hitter drives it into a net.
Is soft toss good for hitting?
Yes, for feel, rhythm and lots of reps. The ball comes from the side, so it does not train timing the way feeds from straight ahead or live pitching do.
Where should you stand for soft toss?
Kneel off to the side and slightly ahead of the hitter, out of the bat's path and the ball's flight. A short net adds protection.
Related terms
- 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.
- Front TossFront 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.
- Drill ProgressionA drill progression is an ordered series of drills, from slow, controlled, isolated moves to full-speed, game-like play. It follows a common motor-learning approach.
- Hand PathHand path is the route the hands travel from launch position to contact. A direct, efficient path keeps the barrel in the zone longer and prevents casting.
- LoadThe load is the small backward gathering of the hands and weight just before the swing starts. It coils the body to store energy that fires into the ball.
Related guides & benchmarks
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