Better Coaches Coaching Drill: Fielding Singles

This is a great progressional drill that teaches players to track down balls properly and get them to the cut-off man.

Gather outfielders and place them all at one position (let's say left field for example).
Standing near the pitcher's mound, coach hits a ground ball/line drive (any ball considered a base hit in a game) to the outfielder. The player's job is to get to the ball and throw it to the cut-off man.
After throwing the ball in, the player rotates to the back of the line.
Players are shifted over to center field then right field after 2 or 3 rounds.

The first progression is a simulated single with no runners on base - outfielder tracks down ball and comes up throwing to the cut-off man for second base (see video 1).
The second progression is a single with runners on, a "do or die" situation where the outfielder is trying to throw the runner out at the plate (see video 2).
Teach players to throw the ball with either no hop or a long one-hop to the cut-off man. No Rainbows. It may help if you tell them to, "throw through he cut-off man."
As with any other outfielding drill, it is important that players never coast after the ball. They need to get to the spot and come through the ball if they have time.
Teach outfielders to pick up a ball on the ground leading with the glove-side leg

week month year

648 Views