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• Have the players throw the ball up in the air and catch it.
• Now without looking have the players reach in their glove and find the proper grip.
• Have the players do this until it becomes routine.

Tip: Coach should walk around and ask the players to show the proper grip. If they are using the wrong grip, show them the correct grip. The grip should be the same every time. The index and middle fingers should be over the “C” or the wide part of the baseball seams. This is called a four-seam grip.
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B. Catch Over the Shoulder Drill
This drill teaches the player to catch the ball over their throwing shoulder.

Equipment Needed: 1 ball per 2 players and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Line up the players in a straight line approximately 8 ft. apart across from each other.
• Coach gives a ball to each player on one side of the lines.
• The players with the ball throw fly balls to their partners.
• The players making the catch, catch the ball over their throwing shoulder with their thumbs up.
• After the player catches the fly ball, they should toss the ball overhand to their partner.

Tip: Coach should make sure that the player throwing the ball is throwing pop ups that are easy to catch at first and get harder as the players get better.
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C. Short Fly Ball Drill
This drill is used to teach the player to come in on a fly ball and catch it.

Equipment Needed: 1 ball per group and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups. Place one group in left field and the other group in right field.
• Coach throws short fly balls approximately 15 ft. in front of the player.
• The player runs in and makes the catch. They should catch the ball over their throwing shoulder with their thumbs up. Player then throws the ball underhand to the coach.

Tip: Coach should throw the ball in far enough to make the players run, but the players should be able to catch ball with some consistency. As the players get better, start making the pop ups less routine.
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D. Situation Drills
This is a drill to let the outfielder know what to do in certain situations. The coach can work on relay throws, fielding ground balls on the run, do or die situations, throwing to bases, communication, etc.

Equipment Needed: 1 fungo, baseballs and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups. Place one group in the infield and the other group in outfield. The players in both groups should be placed in their positions.
• Coach announces the situation to all of the players.
• Coach hits balls to the outfield and the outfielder reacts to the situation. The infielders should be going out for relays as well as covering their base when needed.
• The players should always be in communication during the drill. Each player should know their job before the ball is hit. Outfielders should call off infield on short fly balls, infielders should be yelling for the relay throws, etc.

Tip: Coach should take the time to explain the situation before hitting the ball. As the players get better, let them try the situation before explaining it. This will let them think for themselves and will give the coach a sense of where each players is capable of playing
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E. Over the Head Drill
This drill teaches the outfielder to catch the ball over their head while running.

Equipment Needed: baseballs and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Line up players in a single file line. 1st player goes out infront approximately 15 ft. infront and 15 ft. to the right of the other players.
• Coach throws a ball over the shoulder of the player. The player drop steps, pivots. and runs to catch the ball. This will teach the player to catch the ball on the run.
• Coach can throw line drives or pop-ups and can make the drill a competition.

Tip: Coach should mix up the speed of the throws and should alternate throwing the balls to the left and right of the players. Make sure that the players are drop stepping and pivoting properly.
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F. Numbered Ball Drill
This drill is used to increase the player’s ability to watch the ball all the way into their glove. It can be used for both infield and outfield.

Equipment Needed: Numbered balls, fungo, and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups. Place one team in left field and the other team in right field having 1 player from each team infront of the other group members ready to field.
• Coach hits ground balls and fly balls to each group one at a time.
• Players call out the number of the ball as soon as possible, field the ball, and throw it to 2nd base.
• The team with the fewest errors in calling out the correct number win.

Tip: Coach should start slowly and then increase the speed and angle of the balls hit. Coach should make sure that the players are using proper fielding mechanics and keeping their head on the ball. This drill can also be used with colored dots or colored balls.
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G. I Got It! I Got It! Drill
This is a drill that teaches the players how to communicate and call each other off of a ball.

Equipment Needed: Baseballs or Softballs, fungo, and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups. Place one team in left field and the other team in center field having 1 player from each team infront of the other group members ready to field.
• Coach hits ground balls and fly balls to each group one at a time.
  The player who can make the play calls the other player off the ball by saying “I got it, I got it.” The other player then backs off the play and backs up the player fielding the ball.
• The player then fields the ball and hits the cut-off man.

Tip: Coach should start slowly maybe even throwing the balls initially until the players catch on. Then the coach can increase the speed and angle of the balls hit. Coach should make sure that the players are using proper fielding mechanics and keeping their head on the ball at all times. This drill can also be used for infield practice.
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H. Crow-Hop Drill
This drill teaches the player to crow hop and step toward their target.
Baseball Equipment Needed: Baseballs or Softballs and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups and have them face each other approximately 20-25 ft. away from each other.
• Coach gives the players on one side 1 ball each.
• ? The players with the ball crow hop and throw the ball to their partners. The back foot should replace the front foot and the front foot should step toward the target.
• ? The players who are catching the ball should act like the cut-off man. They should have their arms up shouting for the ball.

Tip: Coach should be looking for the back foot replacing the front foot and for the front foot stepping toward the target. The lead shoulder should also be pointing at the target. Make sure that the players throws are hitting their partners in the chest.
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I. Crow-Hop Advanced Drill
This drill teaches the player how to crow hop and get in position to throw the ball at their target. This drill will also teach the player how to add some zip to their throw.

Equipment Needed: Baseballs or Softballs, fungo, and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Split team into two groups. Place one team in left field and the other team in right field having 1 player from each team infront of the other group members ready to field.
• Coach hits ground balls and fly balls to each group one at a time.
• The player fielding the ball should position their body in line with the ball and their target while running toward the ball.
• The player fields the ball, crow hops, and throws the ball to the target all in one motion.
• The team with the fewest errors win the contest.

Tip: Coach should be looking for the player catching the ball, crow-hopping, and throwing the ball all in one motion. They should also be looking for accurate throws. Making sure that the throws are hitting the cut-off man in the chest.
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J. Thumbs Up Drill
This drill is designed to teach the players how to catch with two hands and to learn how to get the ball out of the glove quickly.

Equipment Needed: 1 ball per 2 players, 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Line up your players across from each other approximately 15 ft. away.
• Place the balls with players on one side only so you can monitor the drill effectively.
• Have the players with the balls throw the ball chest high to the other players.
• The players receiving the ball should have their arms out with their thumbs up ready to receive the ball. (note: the players receiving the ball should not squeeze the glove when catching the ball unless it is a poorly thrown ball. The glove should remain open and should stop the ball with the throwing hand covering the ball as soon as the ball hits the glove)
• The player then finds the 4 seam grip, separates the hands, and points the glove shoulder at the player across from them without throwing it back. As the players get better, you can have them throw the ball back to the other player. But at the beginning it is important to throw accurately to the players receiving the balls.
• Have the players do this until it becomes routine

Tip: Coach should have the players throwing the balls accurately to the chest of the players receiving the balls. If a player(s) can not throw accurately, have them flip the ball underhand until their accuracy gets better.
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K. Shuffle Drill
This drill teaches the infielder to move their feet by shuffling toward the ball.

Equipment Needed: 1 ball per 2 players and 1 glove for all of participants

Drill Procedure:

• Line up the players in a straight line approximately 8 ft. apart across from each other.
• Coach gives a ball to each player on one side of the lines.
• The players with the ball roll the ball to their partners; first to the left and then to the right. The players fielding the ball should shuffle their feet while staying low to the ground when fielding the ball.
• After the player fields the ground ball, they should flip the ball underhand to their partner.

Tip: Coach should make sure that the player rolling the ball is rolling them where the other player can field them rather easily at first and make it more difficult as the drill goes on.

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