Outfield Drills

Outfield Drills
All drills should be taught proper technique before doing these on there own…Partners are used.
General rules…Crow hop to throw is one of momentum towards the throwing base, not jumping up.
Catching the ball consists of the glove being to one side or the other…not in the middle.

1. Ball directly at you...
Ball rolled directly at the fielder and nobody on base. Block the ball like you would if you’re an infielder.
2. Ball to the right…
Ball rolled slightly to the right, position body to ball, round it if possible.
3. Ball to the left…
Ball rolled slightly to the left, position body to ball, round it if possible.
4. Slow roller…
Ball rolled slowly at fielder, on the run pick ball up and throw it. Technique is to step near ball keeping ball on outside of the foot…You must stay down through the pickup. Glove must stay near ground as long as possible.
5. Cut ball off…
Ball going into gap, right or left, fielder must stop it from getting through for extra bases.
6. Fly ball at…
Ball directly above head of fielder, outfielder must get behind ball and take steps towards infield as he catches it.
7. Fly ball over left shoulder…
Ball 4-5 steps over his shoulder reaching with glove at last possible second.
8. Fly ball over right shoulder…
Ball 4-5 steps over his shoulder reaching with glove at last possible second.
9. Sprint straight back…
Ball 4-5 steps directly over your head, sprinting back and then adjusting to the ball.
10. Do or die…
Slow roller or ball to the side a little, the fielder must field in a hurry and make a great throw at full speed. In this drill come up faking the throw (Unless outside or a net to throw into).
11. Sun balls…
Tossing the ball up into the lights or the sun cover the light or sun with your glove or barehand and catch it.
12. Dead Ball pickup…
Run back behind you and pick up a ball that has stopped completely. Keep eyes on ball as you pick it up. Can also do this with a ball stopped in front of you.


EXTRA DRILLS

Z Drill… The outfielder runs the Z pattern and catches the ball on the last cut

Line Drive Gap Drill…Outfielders run across in front of the coach catching balls thrown in front of them.

Shoe String Catch Drill…The outfielder runs towards the coach and catches the ball near his ankle without stopping.

Wrong turn drill…The outfielder turns over the wrong shoulder and then has to make an adjustment and turn back to the other shoulder to catch the ball.

Blind drill…Have the fielder turn his back, toss the ball up and say “ball” the
fielder then turns around and finds the ball.

Pushup drill…Have the fielder do a pushup and then stand up as quick as
possible to find and catch the ball.

Spin Drill…The fielder spins around twice then finds the ball and catches it.



Use two players and space for the next drills…

13. Communication drill…
Ball between two fielders, “Me, Me, Me” call & “You, You, You” call, remember centerfielder rules. Can also do this with the infielders.

14. Relays…
Player to player to player.

15. Cutoff gaps…
Two players deciding to get the ball & the other communicating where to throw it.