Drop Step Drill

Purpose

To practice using a drop step to field pop flies and line drives

Drill Setup

• Create a line of fielders (all with gloves) standing 20 feet away from the coach.
• Coach should have a bucket of balls.

How it Works

1. The first fielder in line stands in a ready position facing the coach.
2. Coach throws a ball at an angle behind the fielder (to either side, mix it up).
3. The fielder uses a drop step to move to catch the ball.
4. Fielder should then make a smooth motion throw back to the coach and run to the end of the line.
5. Drill resumes with next player in line.

Coaching Tips

• Make it harder: Instead of throwing balls to your fielders, hit them instead. This will make the drill more game-like.     For players who have mastered the drop step and catch- encourage them to catch the ball with their non-dominant foot forward so they can immediately go into a crow-hop throw.
• Make it easier: Walk through the footwork first, helping players understand how to make a drop step by pivoting on one foot and swinging the other foot out wide. Then introduce the ball with short pop-ups from 6-8 feet away.