Outfield Drills that Work

WhyOutfield Drlls?

At the lowest levels of baseball, the outfield is used to hide weaker players, as few batted balls reach there. This changes relatively quickly as outfield becomes a vital position for team defensive success. Good baseball coaches realize that outfielders have more responsibilities than most think and often the best athletes end up in the outfield come high school. It is important that youth coaches recognize this and stress that to young players, who may think otherwise. Outfield drills that cover every aspect of the position are necessary, but often neglected.

Baseball, Outfielder, 2004, by Rick Dikeman 03:43, 16 September 2004 . . Rdikeman . . 360×540 (56,673 bytes) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Necessary Outfield Drills

1. Fungo and batting practice drill - Of course, the first responsibility is to catch any ball, be it a fly ball, line drive, or ground ball that comes into their area. The first step is to hit a variety of "fungo" balls to outfielders to help them learn to judge fly balls and line drives, as well as fielding ground balls. Along with this outfield drill, coaches should have fielders play batted balls during batting practice, as in a game, to get more game-like outfield practice.  If you don't already have a fungo bat, see our list of the best baseball fungo bats for coaches!

2. Communication drill - Learning to communicate with other fielders on batted balls is paramount for safety reasons and for getting outs. Coaches should set up infielders and outfielders and hit (or throw) fly balls between players, teaching them to call for balls, get out of the way when others call it, who is in charge on mutually called balls and backing up after getting out of the way. Using the same yelled words on balls is necessary. Generally, "I got it" and "Take it" are the terms to use, should be yelled loudly and more than once.

3. Back up Drill Outfielders must learn to back up all thrown and batted balls in the infield. This is practiced with simulated base running situations. Coaches hit infield practice with, or without runners, while outfielders practice backing up all batted and thrown balls. Coaches direct outfielders on where they should be on each game -simulated play.

4. Groundball outfield drills there are four plays outfielders must practice on ground balls to the outfield.

A. Down on knee for plays with nobody on base outfielders drop their non-throwing side knee to be sure the ball cannot get by, before hopping up quickly to return the ball back to the infield.

B. On balls that require a throw to nail a possible, advancing runner players aggressively charge balls and have their glove side foot out front when catching the ball in the middle of the body before taking a strong crow hop and throw. It is important to note that outfielders feet are staggered more than when catching this ball than infielders' footwork on normal ground balls '

C. Spin drill outfielders often have to cut balls off in the gaps, or down the lines, only to have to spin and make a quick, strong throw to a base. Outfielders are hit balls to their left and right to practice this catch, spin, and throw outfield drill.

D. Do or die play when players need to charge balls "all out" they catch the ball at full speed on the outside of their glove side with glove only (not two hands) and take a double hop on their throwing side leg as they gather themselves to make a strong throw. This is called the "do or die" because it generally means the game is on the line and players have to be super aggressive to throw the runner out. Allowing the ball to possibly get by them is of no consequence as the game is over if they miss it.

5. Cut off drill very important for successful outfield and team play is the ability to hit cutoff players for possible relays. Coaches take an infield and outfield practice, with or without runners, as infielders practice lining up to the correct bases as outfielders practice throwing to and through cut off men.  

Other Great Outfield Drills

6. Tag up fly ball drill coaches set up base runners and have them tag up on fly balls, as outfielders practice getting behind the ball, moving into it, catching balls on their throwing side with two hands and throwing to the base that the runner is advancing to.

7. Shoestring, dive or slide drill it is difficult to practice dive plays because of the risk of injury. However, the practice of shoe string and sliding catches can be done with soft hit fly balls where players practice whether to reach and make a shoe string catch or slide, as into a base, and catch balls. Any headfirst dive practice should involve players moving only a short distance, so the risks of hard-falling injuries are minimal.

8. Crow hop drill Many kids try to get rid of the ball so quickly when strong outfield throws are necessary that they do not take a strong crow hop necessary to get the most on the throw. Learning to take a good strong outfield crow hop is best practicedup close at first and when playing catch, before moving back and practicing the crow hop on rolled balls. It may be best to have young players exaggerate this crow hop at first and set up like a pitcher with the high knee lift, before stepping forward to throw.

9. Long arm throw drill many kids short arm the outfield throw instead of taking the time to get a strong, long-armed throw off. Similar to the previous drill and combining this with the crow hop drill, players begin with both arms extended and hop on their rear foot a few times until the coach yells throw.

10. Fence drill having kids approach the homerun, or foul ball fence, to catch fly balls is best done with players standing near them before coaches throw balls up near the fence. Practicing jumping to catch these balls is a fun and necessary to include when doing outfield drills. For coaches, who are not proficient with hitting balls to outfielders, it is best to throw balls instead when practicing outfield drills to get more repetitions. Young outfielders must be taught to anticipate which base to throw balls before plays so no indecision occurs and the ball is thrown back to the infield or base as quickly as possible. As mentioned, outfield practice is often "taken for granted," but good baseball coaches insist on doing these valuable outfield drills.