[tag]To be a baseball coach[/tag], you are always looking for new [tag]baseball[/tag] [tag]drills[/tag] and [tag]coaching[/tag] tips. Here is a [tag]baseball[/tag] [tag]fielding[/tag] [tag]drill[/tag] that John sent in. Give it a try!
From John”¦
I line my [tag]outfielders[/tag] up about 20 to 30 feet away directly in front of me. I have the first person in the line step up and turn his back to me. I then throw the ball high either to his right or left approximately 10 to 15 feet away from him and give a signal at the same time for him to turn. He then spots the ball and runs in a curve pattern to [tag]catch[/tag] it.
This helps him spot the ball (as all outfielders lose the ball for a second or two on sunny days). It helps him learn to circle around behind the ball which I always tell my outfielders to make sure they are behind it. It is much easier to come in on the ball then chase it behind you. It also gives them the confidence to go after the ball that is not hit directly to them.
At the end of the drill, they have to immediately position themselves to get rid of the ball and make an accurate [tag]throw[/tag] to a player that I set up near me.
Many times, we’ll even make a game out of it where I take a few kids and another [tag]coach[/tag] takes a few kids and we play until 20 or 30 clean catches and throws are made. Loser runs a lap (which on our team means they all run a lap.) We have a rule that this is a team sport and we do everything as a team which includes running laps.