For the younger levels, it is easiest to start rolling grounders to them first. As a coach, you have better control of the throw/roll and will be able to put the ball in the location you want easier.
A good fielding position consists of legs spread wider than shoulder width with toes pointing forward, knees inside your feet, butt down with back straight, hands out front with glove fingers pointing toward the ground, throwing hand up to an angle from glove with palm facing ball, head up.
Make sure fielders are getting into a good fielding position every time.
Have them work their glove from the ground up.
Glove Extension Drill
Place bat in front of grounder line.
Players should start toes next to the bat, fielding the ball from a stationary position arms extending to field the ball in front of the bat.
Add approaching the grounder with a righty stepping left then right to the bat and fielding the ball.
For younger kids you can draw a triangle in the dirt to show where their glove should be.
Barehand Grounders
Start by working the left right footwork and fielding the ball one handed.
Add second hand and steps after fielding.
Add a bucket or cone to have the player round off his approach to the fielding spot.
Backhand and Forehand Grounders
This can be done hitting or just rolling grounders (or throwing) for more control. Concentrate on good fielding position.
Really important for fielders to bend their knees here to field ball in front of them.
First backhand should have both feet pointing forward fielding the ball backhanded.
Second back hand should incorporate crossover step, feet inline and backhand glove work.
Live Ground Balls
Advancing from the above stations, now the infielders are getting live ground balls. It is important here to keep the infielder moving through the grounder and not getting caught flat-footed.
As a right-hander approaching a ground ball, your last two steps are right foot-left foot, then get into fielding position to field the ball, continue on and step and throw to the base/target. It is opposite for lefties.
To reinforce, have fielders take a few extra steps toward target after throw.
Concentrate on fielding the ground ball in the middle of your body with your hands out front.
Short Hops
Coach is throwing short hops to player to backhand, forehand and middle (can also be done during catch with players throwing to each other).
Short hop should be thrown so it bounces approximately 6-12 inches in front of fielding position of fielder.
How to go out and get a forehand short hop - With fingers pointing to the ground on glove hand with arm extended, place glove where ball will bounce up and push hand to ball, simultaneously close glove, and close wrist to chest.
How to catch a backhand short hop - Catching a backhand hop is all about timing and being able to keep your glove behind the ball for as long as possible.
In-Between Hops
Coach is throwing in-between hops to player to backhand, forehand and middle (can also be done during catch with players throwing to each other).
This is the hardest hop to catch and requires as much skill as luck, due to the uneven surface you may be playing on.
An in-between hop should be thrown so it bounces approximately 2'-4' in front of fielding position of the fielder. This is a hop he needs to catch on the way up from the bounce.
How to catch an in-between forehand hop - With fingers pointing to the ground on glove hand with arms extended and glove open and throwing hand close by with palm facing ball, place glove where you think ball will bounce up and funnel ball into stomach securing with throwing hand or push hand to ball, simultaneously close glove, and close wrist to chest. Either technique may have the same rate of success.
Long Hops
Coach is throwing long hops to player to backhand, forehand and middle (can also be done during catch with players throwing to each other).
A long hop should be thrown approximately 12'-15' in front of fielding position of the fielder and should crest or be on the way down when fielded.
This hop is caught at its crest or on the way down. Keeping your eye on this hop is key here. A stab at the ball with your glove is acceptable as long as your glove is close to fielding position to react to the hop.
How to catch a long forehand hop - With fingers pointing to the ground or sideways on glove hand with arms extended and glove open and throwing hand close by with palm facing ball, place glove where you think ball will bounce up and funnel ball into stomach securing with throwing hand. This hop is played like a big hop forehand ground ball.
Mix Em Up Grounders
Coach is hitting (throwing) grounders in all directions.
Make sure players get a rep of each variety.
Knee Grounders
Players on knees (kneeling tall) about 15'-20' apart rolling grounders to each other.
Ball should be fielded out in front of body with glove fingers pointing to the ground.
Can also use this drill to throw short hops to each other.
Partner Hop Drill
Players about 30'-40' apart throwing each other short, medium, and long hops, backhand, forehand and middle.
It is important to start in an athletic fielding (ready) position here. Feet spread a little wider than shoulder width, knees inside feet, weight on the balls of the feet, slight bend in the waist, hands out front.
Partner should push the ball backhanded to his partner so the player gets a good bounce without too much speed.
Rollers can be added as well.
Three ball charge
Place three balls on ground five feet apart.
Have player charge the balls, picking them up one at a time and firing them to first.
Add rollers once technique starts to shape up.
Encourages quick throws and arm slot
Force Outs And Double Plays
Coach hits grounders to infielders who make throw to 2B/SS for force out at 2B.
In order to make this as game-like as possible, have player receiving throw start about 15' away from the bag near his normal position and come to the bag to make the play when coach hits the ball.
After force out is made, continue through the bag to get out of the way of the runner.
After force out is made and player is out of the way of the runner, practice getting ball out of glove quickly and getting into a good throwing position to look for the next play.
Phantom Ball Drill
Practice fielding ground balls without hitting ball.
Ball starts in players mit and emphasizes getting to the proper fielding position and proper footwork after fielding.
Practice gloveside, backhand and charging.
Around The Cone Drill
Have fielder stand directly behind a cone (or bucket) about 12' away. Place a ball on the ground about 12' in front of the cone on the other side. Player starts in fielding ready position and comes around cone to the right (for right handers) and fields ball and throws to a target to his left.
As the fielder nears the ball, his last two steps (for right handers) is right foot/left foot, then field the ball with both hands.
Fielders throwing side foot should come in front of glove side foot and toward target during the throw.
To keep momentum going, take a couple extra steps after the throw towards target.
Diver Drill
Practice diving for balls starting from knees.
Knee Pop Ups
Practice catching pop ups while on knees.
Three Man Flip Drill
Three players stand about 20' apart in a triangle shape. Player A rolls ball to player B, B underhand flips to player C. Player C rolls ball to Player A, A underhand flips to player B. Player B rolls ball to Player C, C underhand flips to player A. Repeat.
For older players, you can spread them out further and work on 2B/SS short throws or even further to work on ground balls/throws.
Switch directions.
When making flips, make sure flipping partner takes ball out of glove and shows it to partner before flipping and then takes an extra step after flip towards partner.
Slow Rollers
Line players up at 3rd base (or shortstop) and roll them slow rollers and have them throw to 1st base on the run.
Roll ball slow enough so player has to bare hand the ball.
Make sur. the right handed player has his left foot forward when fielding the ball
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