Pressure Defense

Explanation: Normally we do this with infield only, but it can be done with the outfield as well.  Before we start this drill, the infield establishes a goal time for how quickly this drill can be completed.  Drill success is measured by whether or not the goal time was achieved or not.

As quickly and cleanly as possible, every position player receives one ground ball hit by a coach at home.  We hit ground balls in the same order, starting at third base, then to shortstop, pitcher, second base, first base, and catcher. The first round of ground balls will be thrown to first base. The second round of ground balls will be to second base for a double play.  Third round to third base and the fourth and final round will be to four for a tag play.

The defensive pressure of fielding cleanly builds per round. If a player makes a mistake fielding, throwing or receiving, we automatically and quickly re-start the entire drill; back to the third baseman to re-start the infield receiving a ground ball and throwing it to first base, repeating round one again, the rounds two, three, and four.

We hope to simulate the pressure of fielding cleanly and beating our goal time.  Establishing a goal time can help measure improvement as well as to continually challenge your defense.  At our best, we have accomplished this drill in four rounds.  At other times, we have shut the drill down because we reached the maximum time limit established for the drill.