Fielding: Ground ball drill progression

When young players are learning to handle ground balls, they often take a straight-on approach to field, transfer, and throw the ball.

For a quicker and smoother execution, Natasha Watley trains her players to approach from the side. This allows their momentum to continue forward, so they can execute the throw faster. This ground ball drill progression teaches players to move through the ball and develop good footwork.

Purpose: To speed fielding by approaching ground balls from the side.

How it works: A coach sets up the field with two cones on the ground: one that players will run around and a second that marks where players will field the ball. Players form a line across from a coach kneeling about 20 ft away. The drill begins when the coach rolls a ground ball toward the fielding area. The first player in line runs forward around a cone, then moves toward the ball from the side. With her momentum always going forward, the player scoops up the ball with her bare hands and throws it to the target. The drill continues with the next player in line.

Progression 1: Once players master the side approach, run the same drill without the cones for guidance.

Progression 2: The coach rolls the ball to the right of the player. The player moves to the right to approach the ball from the side, fields it using her throwing hand, then throws the ball to the target.

Progression 3: The coach rolls the ball to the right of the player who is now using a glove. The player moves to the right to approach the ball from the side, fields it using her glove hand, then throws the ball from where she fielded it to the target.

Progression 4: The coach rolls the ball at a slower pace to the right of the player who is now using a glove. The player moves to the right to approach the ball from the side, fields it using her glove hand, shuffles forward, then throws the ball to the target.

Progression 5: The coach rolls the ball to the left of the player who is now using a glove. The player moves to the left, fields the ball using a backhand, shuffles forward, then throws the ball to the target.

Progression 6: The coach rolls the ball to the center of the fielding area. The player runs toward the ball, fields it, then throws on the run to the target as she continues to move forward.

Requirements: Four or more players, cones, balls, a coach, and a field