Softball Training Gloves: Benefits of 10" Trainers & Flat Gloves

Developing elite defensive skills takes more than fielding hundreds of ground balls. It requires proper technique, consistent repetition, quick reactions, and the right training equipment.

Whether you're a young softball player learning the fundamentals or an experienced travel ball athlete preparing for high school or college softball, specialized training gloves can help improve your defensive performance.

At SBX Fastpitch, we've developed two training tools designed to challenge players and reinforce better fielding habits: the SBX 10" Fastpitch Training Glove and the SBX Flat Glove Trainer, also known as a pancake glove.

While both are designed to improve defensive skills, each serves a different purpose.

Why Use a Softball Training Glove?

A traditional fastpitch softball glove is designed to catch, secure, and control the ball during competition. Training gloves serve a different purpose.

They're designed to make certain defensive skills more challenging during practice so players can develop better habits.

Using a smaller glove or a flat training glove encourages players to:

• Improve hand-eye coordination.
• Develop quicker glove-to-hand transfers.
• Strengthen proper fielding mechanics.
• Improve reaction time.
• Develop softer, more controlled hands.
• Keep their glove in the correct fielding position.
• Build confidence when fielding difficult ground balls.

The goal isn't simply to make fielding harder. It's to develop efficient movements that translate into better defensive performance during games.

SBX 10" Fastpitch Training Glove: Develop Quicker Hands

Shop the SBX Elite 10" Fastpitch Training Glove

The SBX Elite 10" Fastpitch Training Glove is designed to help players improve glove control, reaction time, and defensive consistency.

Unlike a traditional 11.5" or 12" softball glove, the compact 10" design provides a smaller catching surface.

That smaller target challenges athletes to be more precise when receiving the ball.

Benefits of Training With a 10" Glove

1. Improved hand-eye coordination

With less glove surface available, players must concentrate on tracking the ball into the pocket. This encourages better visual focus and more consistent receiving mechanics.

2. Faster glove-to-hand transfers

Quick transfers are essential for middle infielders, third basemen, and catchers.

The smaller glove encourages players to develop efficient exchanges between catching and throwing.

3. Better glove positioning

Players who rely on oversized gloves sometimes develop poor habits by reaching or stabbing at ground balls.

A smaller training glove encourages athletes to position their bodies correctly and receive the ball with greater precision.

4. Improved short-hop fielding

Short hops are among the most challenging defensive plays in softball.

Practicing with a 10" glove encourages players to maintain focus, work through the ball, and develop more consistent receiving angles.

Recommended Drills for the SBX 10" Trainer

Rapid-Fire Ground Balls

Have a coach roll or hit consecutive ground balls from a short distance.

Focus on staying low, keeping the glove out front, and making clean transfers.

Short-Hop Drill

Have a partner deliver controlled short hops from approximately 8–12 feet away.

Work on receiving the ball out front with soft hands rather than stabbing at it.

Forehand and Backhand Drill

Alternate ground balls to the player's glove side and backhand side.

Emphasize proper footwork, glove angles, and quick recovery.

Quick Transfer Drill

Receive a ground ball, transfer immediately to the throwing hand, and simulate a throw.

Focus on smooth exchanges rather than rushing.

Who Should Use the SBX 10" Trainer?

The 10" training glove is useful for:

• Youth softball players developing defensive fundamentals.
• Travel ball athletes looking to improve consistency.
• Middle infielders working on quicker exchanges.
• Third basemen developing reaction skills.
• Catchers practicing receiving and transfers.
• High school and college players refining defensive mechanics.

The SBX 10" Trainer can be incorporated into individual workouts, team practices, and private defensive lessons.

Shop the SBX Elite 10" Fastpitch Trainer

SBX Flat Glove Trainer: Develop Proper Fielding Mechanics

Shop the SBX Elite Flat Glove Trainer

The SBX Flat Glove Trainer, commonly called a pancake glove, is one of the most effective tools for teaching proper defensive fundamentals.

Unlike a traditional glove, a flat glove doesn't have a deep pocket designed to secure the softball.

Instead, players must use proper positioning and their throwing hand to control the ball.

This makes it particularly useful for developing two-hand fielding techniques.

Benefits of Training With a Flat Glove

1. Encourages two-hand fielding

One of the most common mistakes among young infielders is relying entirely on their glove hand.

A flat glove encourages players to bring their throwing hand into the fielding process.

This reinforces efficient ball control and helps prepare players for quicker exchanges.

2. Develops softer hands

Players who stab at ground balls or use stiff hands often struggle with difficult hops.

Flat glove training encourages athletes to receive the ball with controlled movements instead of fighting against it.

3. Improves fielding fundamentals

Because the flat glove cannot secure the ball like a traditional glove, players must focus on positioning their body and hands correctly.

It reinforces important defensive fundamentals, including:

• Staying low through the fielding motion.
• Keeping the glove out front.
• Maintaining proper glove angles.
• Using the throwing hand to secure the ball.
• Moving through the ball efficiently.

4. Promotes faster transfers

In softball, fractions of a second can determine whether a runner is safe or out.

The flat glove encourages players to coordinate their glove and throwing hands, helping develop faster, more efficient exchanges.

Recommended Flat Glove Drills

Two-Hand Ground Ball Drill

Have a coach roll routine ground balls directly toward the player.

The athlete must field the ball using the flat glove and throwing hand together.

Focus on clean mechanics and proper body positioning.

Four-Corner Fielding Drill

Position players in a square and have them field and transfer the ball before making controlled throws.

This drill combines footwork, receiving, and transfers.

Short-Hop Reaction Drill

Have a partner deliver controlled short hops while the player uses the flat glove to guide the ball into the throwing hand.

Begin slowly and increase difficulty as the player develops consistency.

Quick Hands Drill

Have players receive a series of controlled ground balls and immediately transfer each ball to their throwing hand.

Emphasize clean exchanges before increasing speed.

Can Catchers Use a Flat Glove?

Absolutely.

Although pancake gloves are commonly associated with infield training, they can also be useful for catchers.

Catchers can incorporate flat glove drills to work on:

• Receiving hand positioning.
• Hand-eye coordination.
• Quick glove-to-hand transfers.
• Efficient exchange mechanics.
• Controlled receiving movements.

For framing practice, the emphasis should remain on quiet, controlled receiving rather than exaggerated glove movement.

Shop the SBX Elite Flat Glove Trainer

SBX 10" Trainer vs. Flat Glove: What's the Difference?

Both training gloves are designed to improve defensive fundamentals, but they challenge players in different ways.

Which Training Glove Should You Choose?

The answer depends on what you're trying to improve.

Choose the SBX 10" Training Glove if:

Your player needs to improve glove control, receiving precision, short-hop consistency, or quick exchanges.

Because it functions like a traditional glove, it's an excellent transition between specialized training and normal defensive play.

Choose the SBX Flat Glove if:

Your player needs to improve two-hand fielding, throwing-hand involvement, glove positioning, or basic defensive mechanics.

The flat design provides immediate feedback when players fail to use proper technique.

For serious defensive development, using both can be beneficial.

Each glove challenges different aspects of fielding, allowing coaches to create more complete defensive workouts.

How to Incorporate Training Gloves Into Practice

You don't need an hour-long specialized workout to benefit from training gloves.

A focused 15-minute defensive routine can provide valuable repetitions when performed consistently.

15-Minute Defensive Training Routine

The final three minutes are important.

After using specialized training equipment, players should return to their regular game glove and apply the fundamentals they've practiced.

This helps connect training drills to actual game situations.

For younger athletes, begin with controlled repetitions and gradually increase speed as their mechanics improve.

Common Fielding Mistakes Training Gloves Can Help Correct

Fielding With One Hand

Some players consistently attempt to field routine ground balls without involving their throwing hand.

A flat glove encourages players to develop coordinated two-hand fielding habits.

Stabbing at Ground Balls

Players who stab at the softball often struggle to receive difficult hops consistently.

Both the flat glove and 10" trainer encourage more controlled receiving mechanics.

Slow Ball Transfers

A player may field the ball cleanly but lose valuable time transferring it to the throwing hand.

Training gloves help athletes focus on efficient exchanges and eliminate unnecessary movements.

Poor Glove Positioning

Improper glove angles and late glove positioning can lead to fielding errors.

Smaller training surfaces encourage players to prepare their hands earlier and maintain better control.

Are Training Gloves Good for Youth Softball Players?

Yes. Training gloves can be valuable for younger athletes when drills are appropriate for their skill level.

For 8U and 10U players, the primary focus should remain on learning proper fielding fundamentals.

Flat glove drills can help introduce two-hand fielding techniques, while a 10" training glove can help develop hand-eye coordination.

However, young players should not be overwhelmed with excessively difficult drills.

Start with slow, controlled ground balls and progress as confidence improves.

For 12U, 14U, high school, and advanced travel ball athletes, training gloves can be incorporated into more challenging defensive routines.

Regardless of age, the goal should always be quality repetitions rather than simply increasing the number of ground balls fielded.

Why SBX Fastpitch Training Gloves?

At SBX Fastpitch, our training gloves are designed specifically for fastpitch softball athletes.

We believe developing strong defensive fundamentals requires consistent practice and equipment that challenges players to improve.

The SBX training collection includes:

SBX Elite Fastpitch Trainer – 10"

A compact training glove designed to develop quicker hands, better glove control, and cleaner transfers.

Shop the 10" Training Glove

SBX Elite Fastpitch Flat Glove Trainer – 10"

A premium leather flat glove designed to reinforce proper fielding mechanics, two-hand receiving, and quick exchanges.

Shop the Black & Gold Flat Glove

Shop the White & Caramel Flat Glove

SBX Custom Fastpitch 10" Trainer

For players who want a personalized training glove, SBX also offers a customizable 10" trainer featuring premium SoftHide leather.

Build Your Custom 10" Training Glove

Final Thoughts: Better Defense Starts With Better Fundamentals

Great defensive players aren't developed through repetition alone. They're developed through quality repetitions, proper technique, and consistent attention to detail.

The SBX 10" Training Glove and Flat Glove Trainer provide two different ways to challenge athletes and reinforce better defensive habits.

Whether you're developing a young infielder or preparing an elite travel ball athlete for the next level, incorporating specialized training equipment into your defensive routine can help build confidence and consistency.

Remember, training gloves aren't meant to replace your regular game glove. They're tools designed to help you become a better defensive player.

Train with purpose. Build better fundamentals. Play with confidence.

Explore All SBX Fastpitch Training Gloves