3-Day Accelerator Email Course
Discover Bob Bennett's 71 Game-Tested, Accelerator Drills To Rapidly Improve Your Youth Baseball Team!
Day 3 - Fielding and Catchers
Drill #1: Outfield Ground Ball Fielding Drill
Setup
The outfielders will line up single file in the outfield facing home plate. A coach stands at home plate (or the edge of the infield) with a fungo bat and balls. An additional coach or players stands to the side to receive throws from the fielders.
Execution
The coach will hit a ground ball to the first player in the outfielders line. The outfielder will charge hard at the ball, breakdown, field the ball using the Knee Method, Semi-Knee Method or Pro Method, then make an accurate throw back to home plate. The coach will then hit a ground ball to the next player, as the first player rotates to the back of the line.
Coaching Tips
- The Knee Method is typically taught to young players as the safest and most reliable way to field a ground ball in the outfield. You can also use this technique when there are no runners on base, when the ground is very bumpy, or when there is no chance of throwing a runner out.
- The outfielder should charge the ball hard for the first 4 or 5 steps, then decrease his speed, get under control, and break down to field the ball.
- To field the ball, drop to the throwing side knee (the right knee for right handed players) and put the back of the glove flat on the ground between the legs. Watch the ball into the glove, trap it with the throwing hand, then rise up and step into the throw.
- The outfielder should center his body in front of the ball, so he can block it with his torso if it takes a bad hop.
- The Semi-Knee Method is a faster, but slightly riskier way to field a outfield grounder. The technique is the same as the Knee Method, except the outfielder will only drop the throwing-side knee halfway to the ground while fielding the ball. This will allow him to move into his throwing motion more quickly, and have a better chance at throwing out a runner
- The Pro Method (or Scoop Method) is the riskiest way to field an outfield grounder and should be used only in situations where the game will be lost if the fielder doesn’t get the ball in quickly. This technique is for a do-or-die situation in which the tying or winning run is attempting to score and the outfielder must make a quick throw to the infield. The outfielder runs at the ball and scoops it up while on the move, placing the glove to the outside of the glove-side leg (instead of between the legs).
Drill #2: Game Situation Fielding - Pitchers and First Basemen
Setup
Place a line of players at the pitcher's mound and a line of players behind first base. The coach stands at home plate with a fungo bat and balls. A catcher is in his stance behind the plate.
Execution
The first player in the pitcher's line will simulate throwing a pitch. The coach will then hit a slow ground ball to the area between the pitcher and first baseman.
If the pitcher fields the ball, the first baseman will cover first and the pitcher will make the throw to him. If the first baseman fields the ball, the pitcher will cover first. The players will rotate to the back of the line after each rep.
Coaching Tips
- The player who is fielding the ball should always call "Ball" loud and clear
- The player who is covering first base will call "Bag"
- Ball should always be called first, and Bag called second
- If the pitcher takes 3 steps and does not call Ball, the first baseman calls Ball
- The first baseman is the captain - he gets the final decision on who will play the ball
- The pitcher should always tag first base with his right foot and stay inside the baseline, to avoid colliding with the runner
- Use an underhand toss for short range throws
- If you have several multi-position players, have them switch lines after every player has had a turn, so they can run the drill from multiple positions
Discover Bob Bennett's 71 Game-Tested, Accelerator Drills To Rapidly Improve Your Youth Baseball Team!
Drill #3: Catchers - Ball in the Dirt Drill
Setup
The catchers are in their stance, facing the coach with around 4-5 feet of space between them. You can practice this with gloves only or full equipment.
Execution
From about 5-10 feet away, the coach will toss the ball softly into the dirt, directly in front of the catcher. With the ball in mid-air, the catcher will quickly lower himself to block it by first dropping the butt down, then softly lowering the knees to the ground
Coaching Tips
Catchers must be in a stance that allows their first move to be down, rather than up when they begin to execute the block. The easiest way to accomplish this is to insure that their feet are far enough apart so their heel are in contact with the ground, toes are pointed up the baselines and their thighs are parallel to the ground.
If they are in a deep crouch then their hips will have to go up before they can begin to move towards the ground. A deep crouch will only add to the amount of time it takes to block a ball by making the athlete travel upward before they are able to drive to the ground.
Work on the following cues when teaching catchers to block balls in the dirt.
- Replace your feet with your knees in one, fluid motion: Drive your knees into the ground to where your feet were (about shoulder-width apart, with your upper body centered between them).
- Clear your feet: So that you can get to your knees easier, clear away your feet by sliding them out to the side of your body. Keep your shins on the ground and your toes pointed back and away from you to be in the best position to block the ball.
- Drop your mitt: As you see the ball approaching the dirt, drop your mitt between your legs. The web of your mitt should be in contact with the ground, and the palm of your glove should be squared towards the pitch. Your fingers will be below the ball.
- Tuck your arms: As you drop your glove, keep your throwing hand poised above the mitt or tight to your throwing-side. Your glove-side arm should be tight to your body, making a larger blocking area.
- Angle forward: Your upper body should be straightened and angled forward, over the ball. By doing this, you can knock down the ball and deflect it straight into the ground, rather than away from you.
- Keep your eyes down: Tuck your chin and always watch the ball.
Try mixing it up by throwing dirt balls to the left, right and middle of the catcher. As the catcher gets the technique down, put on full equipment and begin throwing dirt balls from a longer range and with more velocity