Hours per week of softball, in season, for DI, II, and III

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 22, 2019
170
28
Rural northeast
So.... first anyone who generalizes about any level of play is probably mostly wrong. Every program is very different and there is a number of factors that go into that. For every massively serious, all about the softball 40-10 SEC D1 team there is a 10-40 SWAC team. The top D3 teams demand a lot more time from a player than lower-level D3teams and so forth. You can go across all the divisions and see massive differences between programs. It is all over the map and depends on individual coaches, funding, seriousness the university takes the program, etc, etc...

That said there are maximums you cannot exceed, though of course there are ways around this:

- NCAA rules on coach contact/led hour: This is coach-led activities defined by the NCAA for during and off-season. For the most part, D1 allows a larger number than D2 or D3
- Conference rules: Which may restrict teams further; for example the Ivies have further contact restrictions, especially during the off-season. Also, the 'fall season' is often restricted here as well.
- University rules: Many universities have defined non-athletic times or defined core class hours. For example, a university may prohibit any athletic activity between 8:30am and 3:30pm
- 'Voluntary' hours - over captain or team led. Or even just suggestions (i.e. the field and equipment shed is open, go for it). There is also weights/fitness which is managed by an athletic trainer.

Great information. I didn't know there were conference differences within a division.
Thanks!
 
Jun 11, 2012
741
63
Marriard is spot on, it really varies from program to program.
DD is at a D3 and usually has something softball related M—F this time of year. It’s not all mandatory but it is strongly suggested that you attend.
They are required to attend lift sessions 2 early mornings a week, one is full team and the other is split in to 2 sessions depending on how early your first class is. They have small group lift another day and team runs on Thursday.
Friday is the only mandatory open gym and it’s followed by team study hall (Freshman study hall is on Tuesdays).
On top of this it’s strongly suggested that they hit regularly. DD hits almost daily usually with the same group of 2-3 team mates. Some girls hit every day while others only hit when it’s required.
Pitchers and catchers have their own time once a week also.
 
May 22, 2019
170
28
Rural northeast
Marriard is spot on, it really varies from program to program.
DD is at a D3 and usually has something softball related M—F this time of year. It’s not all mandatory but it is strongly suggested that you attend.
They are required to attend lift sessions 2 early mornings a week, one is full team and the other is split in to 2 sessions depending on how early your first class is. They have small group lift another day and team runs on Thursday.
Friday is the only mandatory open gym and it’s followed by team study hall (Freshman study hall is on Tuesdays).
On top of this it’s strongly suggested that they hit regularly. DD hits almost daily usually with the same group of 2-3 team mates. Some girls hit every day while others only hit when it’s required.
Pitchers and catchers have their own time once a week also.

Good to know.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
DD is also at a D3. When the team returned to school after summer break they started practice. 5 days per week with varying times depending on class schedules. This continued until their fall play day. Once that was over they transitioned into team workouts; lifting, cardio, etc. Hitting and throwing during this time is suggested but not required. Over winter break each player has a specialized workout program based on their position and needs. The team is separated into groups of "workout buddies". It is suggested that the buddies stay in contact throughout break. When spring semester starts it is back at it. During the season they will be together 6 days per week between games, practice, and workouts. They travel through PA, NY, NJ, and MD. Over summer break they have similar specialized workouts with buddies again.

As @marriard stated, there are varying rules. D2 is somewhat less then D1. D3 is less than D2. But much of it varies by school and program. Some seem to push the envelope while others are much more laid back.

DD's coach really pushes academics. She watches the players grades closely and meets with them regularly to discuss any challenges they are having. She will even help arrange tutors when necessary. And the players themselves help each other quite a bit.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
DD plays D2. In the Fall they practiced daily usually 2-3 hours a day and played a few scrimmages and scheduled games. Now that Fall is over, Coach contact time is severely limited. Seniors lead the team for conditioning twice a week for an hour session and the team lifts from 5:30 to 7 a.m. 3 times a week. Daily, they get together in groups of 4 various times of the day ( M-F) depending on their classes to either throw and field or hit or in DD's case, hit or catch the pitchers/ work on catching skills twice a week. Every evening M-F from 6-9 the entire team gets together to study (they call it round tables) and tutors are readily available for any subject the players are studying. In the Spring, they'll go back to formalized practicing 4-5 days a week, playing scheduled games 2-3 days a week and round tables in the evening.

As others have said, It varies program to program.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top