Proper Approach

Name of Drill: Proper Approach

Purpose: To work on the proper technique for fielding a ground ball

Equipment Needed: Glove or softhand, ball, partner

Explanation: Start out around 15 feet from your partner. Have your partner roll a ball at a slow rate toward you. As your partner starts to roll the ball you should be in a good fielding position with your knees slightly bent and inside your feet. You need to have your shoulders slightly forward so that you are not on the heels of your feet but instead on the inside balls of your feet. As the ball begins to roll toward you, you should begin to have short choppy steps working in at a good angle to the ball. At this time you should have your hands in front of your knees with your glove hand slightly out farther than your throwing hand. Your throwing hand should be slightly above your glove hand ready to cover the ball as it enters the pocket of the glove. You want to approach the ball so that you field it out in front as far as possible and on the left eye side for a right hand throw and right eye side for a left hand throw. You want to catch the ball just inside of your feet but again out in front so that you can funnel the ball in and then transfer it from the glove to your ready position to throw. As you are funneling the ball in, you should start you footwork toward your target. This drill can be done at any level and at different speeds based on the ability of the player.