Middle Infielder Double Play

Purpose:

Middle infielders practice turning double plays

Setup:

• Lines of players at SS and 2B
• Coach with fungo bat half way between mound and second

Execution:

1. Fungo 1 hits ground ball to SS
2. SS flips to 2B covering second
3. 2B throws to first to complete double play
4. Return ball to Fungo 1
5. Fungo 1 hits ground ball to 2B
6. 2B flips to SS covering second
7. SS throws to first to complete double play
8. Return ball to Fungo 1
9. Rotate and repeat

Tips for Younger Athletes:

• Focus on making accurate, underhand flips to the covering base to ensure a smooth transition.
• Emphasize proper footwork around the bag, including stepping towards the target to reduce throw distance and increase accuracy.
• Encourage using two hands when fielding the ball to improve control and quicker transfer to the throwing hand.

Tips for Older Athletes:

• Work on quickening the transfer from glove to hand for faster throws, especially under pressure.
• Practice varying the speed and angle of throws to simulate game situations where the feed might not be perfect.
• Reinforce communication between shortstop and second baseman to ensure smooth and efficient execution of the play.