Youth baseball players do not have the years of experience that high school, collegiate, and pro players do. One of the places this really shows up in the outfield. Without those years of experience youth outfielders have a real problem reading a baseball in the outfield to determine if they need to move forward or backward to catch it, this results in a lot of missed catches and really frustrates parents and coaches (who generally have those years of experience to read the baseball). This is a drill to help with this.
For this drill we need two cones, set them five yards apart.
Progression 1:
The player stands by the first cone and faces the coach.
With a fly ball the first step is forward, so the player steps forward.
Then the player will realize the ball is going behind them, they will backpedal two steps.
At this point we will realize the ball is really far behind them. They will plant their left foot, pivot their body to the right until they are turned around, then sprint to the second cone.
When reaching the second cone they will get both feet under them, look up, and simulate catching the ball.
Progression 2, add the throw back:
The player stands by the first cone and faces the coach.
With a fly ball the first step is forward, so the player steps forward.
Then the player will realize the ball is going behind them, they will backpedal two steps.
At this point we will realize the ball is really far behind them. They will plant their left foot, pivot their body to the right until they are turned around, then sprint to the second cone.
When reaching the second cone they will get both feet under them, look up, and simulate catching the ball.
After catching the ball, the player will turn to their glove side and simulate throwing the ball to second base.
The first two progression are literally working on the footwork for how to execute this skill successfully. The athlete needs to have the footwork down before moving to the third progression, which involves the ball.
Progression 3, coach throws the ball:
The player stands by the first cone and faces the coach.
The coach throws the ball high in the air towards the second cone.
With a fly ball the first step is forward, so the player steps forward.
The player will backpedal, then realize the ball is really far behind them. They will plant their left foot, pivot their body to the right until they are turned around, then sprint to the second cone.
When reaching the second cone they will get both feet under them, look up, and catch the ball.
After catching the ball, the player will turn to their glove side and throw the ball to second base.
Progression 4, coach hits the ball:
For this progression there is no second cone. The player stands next to the first cone. The coach hits the ball behind them.
The player steps forward.
The player will backpedal, then realize the ball is really far behind them. They will plant their left foot, pivot their body to the right until they are turned around, then sprint to the ball.
When reaching the ball they will get both feet under them, look up, and catch the ball.
After catching the ball, the player will turn to their glove side and throw the ball to second base.
