Always Explain Why
Expect the ball. The mental player gets the breaks. Sprint to the baseball, make
the routine play, pick the ball up once, make an accurate throw, be ready before
the pitch is thrown, and communicate clearly and effectively.
Ready Position
Start in fielding positions and use phone dial positioning. Body slightly
crouched from waist. Hands relaxed hanging in front. Feet staggered. Start in
line with bases in position 5. 2 is directly in front. Automatically adjust with
the count, (RH, 0-2, adjust 6,6,3). Each adjustment is 5 steps. Communicate the
count and number of outs to other fielders. Know where you are going with the
ball before it is thrown. Know the batters and know your pitchers. Drop step,
drop step, decleate every pitch. Decleate to balls of feet when the ball is in
the hitting zone. Drop step with contact, its easier to come forward after you
read it.
Fundies
All done after 2 step read. Have players demonstrate correct form and throws.
These should be done to perfection.
*Use three buckets. Feed from the middle bucket. Player drops the ball in the
opposite bucket.
Ground Balls
Fielded two ways. Outside frame (do or die) and infielder stance when no threat.
Block with body when no play.
Hard roller
Charge fast soft roller.
Do or die shoe string when play is to be made.
Hard hit in alley cross over step at an angle.
Slow hit in ally crossover and charge.
Off balance dive or reach. Player charges hard and fast, toss ball in various
directions.
Hard line drive. Players charge and throw at face.
Slide catch. Catch ball in groin. Player slide to you as you drop the ball.
Fly Balls
Set up behind fly balls and move through the catch. Catch the ball shoulder
height over the throwing arm. Make an accurate throw, call BALL.
5 Flys each way. Get behind the ball. Right, left, center over the head. Drop
foot to the glove side is best.
Texas leaguers you should go all out.
Line drives you should freeze and watch the ball into the glove.
Sun get glove in position, step to the side, help out other fielders.
Off the fence
Over your head: Right, Center, Left.
Catch the ball on throwing side, faster, shoulder high, web of glove.
Know the situation
Read drill back step, back step, decleate, point
Straight Back both sides, fly/gb
45 both sides fly/gb.
Head turn (fly).
Pivot Turn (line drive right at player)
3 ball (3 balls thrown in succession each a different direction).
Box drill.
Back to ball.
Face down. Face down away.
Behind the back.
Somersault
Bare hand catches.
Wide receiver/DB drills.
Shoe string catch. Player charges and you drop ball in glove.
Throwing
Use your leg strengh to set up for the throw. Come through the ball and catch on
the throwing side. Crow hop for momentum and strength. Over emphasize the follow
through. Hit the cut man or base. Play catch using no more than two throws. Stop
the opponents running game. Throw cross seams. Use long arm circles that finish
at the target. Low throws are better than high throws. The front shoulder
directs the throw. Keep it down. Feel the earth under you. Develop arms with
long catch to 120 feet.
Hitting the cut man. Line-hitting the cut man - mess up and go to fence and
back to end of line.
Stripe a ball to demonstrate throwing across seams.
Communication
Practice two way communications. Fielding priority goes to the throwing
advantage. It is the infielders ball until the outfielder calls him off.
Fence balls Green, Red.
Gap priorities
Back up drills
Situations
Divers
Everyone knows and shares outs and game situations
Know the hitter
Back-up pick offs.
Reading the pitch/batter.
Back up bases, each other.
Know the plays, think ahead.
Know field conditions.
Line drives curve towards the lines. Count to batter may pull, count to
pitcher is opposite.
Straight up in early game with no runners. Squeeze the gaps and eliminate the
allies.
Dont allow doubles or big innings.
Play tight and make them hit over you.
