Soft Slap
Also known as: soft slapping, soft slap hit, soft slap hitting, placement slap
A soft slap is a short, controlled slap that places a slow ground ball where the infield cannot make a quick play. The slapper runs through her crossover, keeps her hands inside the ball and meets it out in front with a short, firm stroke. Most slappers aim it at the left side of the infield, where the throw to first is longest.
The soft slap is one of a slapper's main options, along with the bunt and the power slap. It uses the same running approach as the others. The difference is in the swing. The bat stays short, the hands stay inside the ball and the barrel meets it out in front of the plate. The goal is a ground ball too slow or too well placed for the fielder to throw her out.
Many coaches teach a level stroke with a firm top hand and a short finish. The slapper steers the ball toward a spot rather than swinging hard. Contact comes as the crossover foot lands or just before. She is already moving toward first when the ball leaves the bat. Names vary between coaches. Some call any soft slap a chop, and others keep that word for a slap hit down so it bounces high.
The soft slap works best when the third baseman and shortstop are playing back. It also works early in a game, before the defense has adjusted to a fast slapper. When the left side charges hard, the power slap becomes the better choice. A soft slap popped up, or hit right at a fielder, gives the advantage away.
Tips by skill level
Learn the soft slap off a tee first, standing still. Place ten balls in a row toward the left side before you add the running approach.
Watch the third baseman and shortstop before every pitch. If they play back, soft slap. If they charge, show the same footwork and drive the ball past them.
Example
The third baseman is playing even with the bag. A left-handed slapper runs through her crossover and pokes a slow roller toward the gap between third and short. The shortstop has to charge and throw on the run, and the slapper beats it to first.
Why it matters
A good soft slap turns speed into hits without needing power. It also pulls the infield in and opens room for the power slap.
Common mistakes
- Swinging too hard and hitting the ball right at a fielder
- Letting the hands drift away from the body and popping the ball up
- Making contact late, after the crossover foot has already landed
- Pulling the head and eyes toward first base before contact
Frequently asked questions
What is a soft slap in softball?
A soft slap is a short, controlled slap that places a slow ground ball where the infield cannot make a quick play. The slapper keeps her running approach but uses a short, firm stroke instead of a full swing.
What is the difference between a soft slap and a power slap?
Both use the same running approach. A soft slap uses a short, firm stroke to place a slow ground ball. A power slap is a fuller swing that drives the ball hard past a drawn-in infield.
Where should a soft slap go?
Most slappers aim at the left side of the infield, where the throw to first is longest. The gap between third and short, or a slow roller the shortstop must charge, are common targets.
Related terms
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Power SlapA power slap is a slapper's full swing taken with a running start through the batter's box. It drives hard grounders and line drives past a drawn-in infield.
- Crossover Slap StepIn a crossover slap step, the back foot crosses in front of the front foot. It starts the slapper moving toward the pitcher, building momentum into contact.
- Slap Approach TimingSlap approach timing syncs a slapper's crossover footwork with the pitcher's release. The final step and swing should land together, not early or late.
- Chop SlapA chop slap is a slap swung down through the top of the ball so it hits the dirt near home plate and bounces high. By the time the ball comes down, a fast slapper is close to first base. Coaches use the name loosely, and some teach a level slap instead of chopping down.
- Illegally Batted BallAn illegally batted ball is a hit made while a foot is on the ground completely outside the batter's box, or touching home plate. It counts whether the ball goes fair or foul. The ball is dead and the batter is out. For slappers, a foot touching the box line or still in the air is legal.
Related guides & benchmarks
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