The Softball Tryout
Preparation Guide
A 4-Week Plan to Show Up Ready and Stand Out
60+ pages covering what fastpitch evaluators look for, a 4-week prep plan, hitting and slap hitting drills, fielding and pitching evaluation, running and baserunning tips, and benchmarks by age and level.
The Tryout
Preparation
Guide
Stand Out at Softball Tryouts
4-Week Prep Plan,
Drills, and Benchmarks
for Fastpitch Players
60+ Pages
Why This Guide
What Makes This Guide Different
Evaluator Perspective
Written from the perspective of what softball coaches and evaluators actually score during tryouts. Know exactly what they are watching so you can showcase it.
4-Week Prep Plan
A structured day-by-day plan covering hitting, slap hitting, fielding, pitching prep, running, and the mental side. Start 4 weeks out and show up at your best.
Fastpitch Benchmarks
Know where you stand with age-specific benchmarks for throwing velocity, home-to-first time, pitching speed, and exit velocity. Set realistic targets and track progress.
Preview
Peek Inside the Guide
Week 2: Building Confidence
- •Practice at game speed on 60-foot bases, not half speed
- •Film yourself to identify areas to improve
- •Pitchers: throw 2 controlled bullpens per week during prep
Every section follows the same clear format
- Day-by-day training schedule for the 4 weeks leading up to tryouts
- Evaluator scoring criteria so you know what they are watching
- Specific drills for hitting, slap hitting, fielding, and pitching evaluation
- Benchmarks by age group so you know where you stand
- Mental preparation techniques to manage tryout nerves
Full Table of Contents
What Is Inside
7 chapters covering everything you need to prepare for softball tryouts, from understanding what evaluators look for to a complete 4-week preparation plan with fastpitch benchmarks.
How evaluators score hitting, fielding, throwing, running, and softball IQ. What catches their eye in the first 30 seconds. The difference between rec tryouts vs. travel vs. high school. How pitchers are evaluated differently than position players. What slap hitting ability signals to evaluators.
Week 1: Assessment and foundation. Week 2: Building confidence. Week 3: Game-speed intensity. Week 4: Taper and mental prep. Each week includes specific drills, rep counts, and rest days. Pitcher-specific prep schedule included alongside position player work.
What evaluators look for in your swing: bat speed, contact quality, approach, and plate discipline. How slap hitters are evaluated separately from power hitters. Drills to sharpen your swing in the weeks leading up to tryouts. How to show versatility if you can both slap and hit for power.
Pre-tryout fielding drills for ground balls, fly balls, and position-specific skills. How to warm up your arm properly. Footwork and transfer drills. How plays happen faster on 60-foot bases and what that means for your preparation. Catcher-specific evaluation prep.
How windmill pitchers are evaluated: mechanics, velocity, movement, command, and composure. Which pitches to throw during evaluation and in what order. How to demonstrate pitch variety without overthrowing. Managing nerves on the mound with evaluators watching.
Sprint mechanics for the home-to-first sprint. Baserunning drills that show coaches you understand the game on 60-foot bases. Pre-tryout mental preparation routines. Body language that evaluators notice. How to recover mentally after a bad rep.
Age-specific benchmarks for 10U, 12U, 14U, high school JV, and high school varsity softball. Throwing velocity, home-to-first times, pitching velocity, and exit velocity standards. Position-specific benchmarks. How to use benchmarks to set realistic goals.
Plus Appendices: Tryout Day Checklist, Equipment Packing List, Self-Assessment Scorecard, and Fastpitch Benchmark Reference Charts.
Target Audience
Who This Guide Is For
Players Preparing for Tryouts
- Trying out for travel, select, or high school softball teams
- Want a structured prep plan instead of just winging it
- Need to know what fastpitch evaluators are actually looking for
Parents Supporting Their Players
- Want to help their player prepare without adding pressure
- Need to understand the softball tryout process and what to expect
- Looking for benchmarks to set realistic expectations
Our Approach
Preparation Beats Natural Talent.
Tryouts reward preparation as much as ability. Players who show up with a plan, clean mechanics, and the right attitude consistently outperform more talented players who wing it. This guide gives your player the structure to show up ready.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do coaches look for most at youth softball tryouts?
At most youth softball tryouts, coaches prioritize athleticism, effort, and coachability over raw skill. The universal things coaches notice are how a player moves (footwork, range, body control), how hard and accurately they throw, how they respond to instruction, and whether they compete in pressure situations. Pitchers are evaluated separately on mechanics, velocity, movement, and command. Slap hitters who can also hit for power stand out.
How are pitchers evaluated differently at softball tryouts?
Circle pitchers get a separate evaluation beyond the standard fielding and hitting stations. Coaches watch windmill mechanics (is the arm circle smooth?), velocity, pitch movement, command of at least two pitches, and composure under pressure. They also watch how quickly a pitcher fields her position after the delivery. Having three or more pitches with command is the separator at the travel and high school level.
Should I show my slap hitting ability at tryouts?
If you can slap hit, show it. Slap hitters are valuable in softball because they create pressure with speed and bat placement. Most coaches will either ask slappers to identify themselves or give a separate evaluation station. Show both your slap game and your power hitting if you have both. Versatility is the most valuable trait at tryouts.
How should a player warm up before a softball tryout?
Arrive 20-30 minutes early and complete a full dynamic warm-up on your own. This includes a slow jog, leg swings, hip circles, arm circles, and a light throwing progression. Do not go straight from the car to full-effort throws. Showing up warmed up and ready before coaches begin signals preparation. Pitchers should also throw a short controlled bullpen of 15-20 pitches before evaluation.
What is the biggest mistake players make at softball tryouts?
Playing it safe and holding back. Coaches are watching for ceiling, not just current skill. A player who takes max-effort swings and shows aggressive footwork on a ball she does not field cleanly leaves a better impression than one who coasts through. The second most common mistake is showing visible frustration after errors. Coaches know errors happen. How a player responds tells them far more than the error itself.
What benchmarks should my daughter hit for her age group?
Benchmarks vary significantly by age and level. General guidelines: 12U throwing velocity from the outfield should be 40-50 mph, home-to-first time 3.5-4.0 seconds, and pitching velocity 38-45 mph. At 14U, throwing velocity 45-55 mph, home-to-first 3.2-3.6 seconds, and pitching velocity 45-55 mph. The guide includes complete benchmark tables by age and level.
Everything Included
Get the Free Guide
- 60+ pages of softball tryout preparation strategies and drills
- Complete 4-week day-by-day preparation plan
- Evaluator scoring criteria and what they watch for
- Hitting, slap hitting, fielding, pitching, and running prep drills
- Mental preparation techniques for tryout-day nerves
- Age-specific fastpitch benchmarks for every measurable skill
- Tryout day checklist and equipment packing list
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