The Baseball Observer April 2015 vol 2 | Page 23

DRILLS AND PRACTICE TIPS Eyes Up This drill can be done inside or out. This drill is intended to get the player to look up and spot his target quickly after fielding a ball. Too many times once the fielder gets the ball they keep their head down and look up only when they are half way through the process of throwing. This causes hurried and poor throws. Once the ball is in the glove, their eyes should come up quickly to spot their target. Basic set up: You can use three safety/ traffic cones all with a basketball on top. Preferably, the cones are up on a chair since the cones normally are pretty low. Space them next to each other about 4 feet apart. Have the players positioned at least 60 feet away. Step 3: (variation – only indoors) Because of the possibility outdoors for a bad hop, only do step three inside where rolls are true. Do step one and two BUT have the fielding player wear basketball dribble glasses (glasses where the bottom half of the glasses are blacked out). This will force the player to keep his head down to see the ball into his glove – then he can throw. This is a good winter indoor drill to reinforce keeping their head down – watch the ball all the way into their glove – then look up quickly to find their target. Have 2 or 3 pair so the drill moves smoothly. They are inexpensive. Cross Drill (T- Drill) For Catchers (baseball-catchers.com) Develops proper throwing footwork to increase accuracy and quickness on throws to second base. Draw a large inverted cross (or T) on the ground or if you are indoor on the floor (use duct tape or paper tape to make the “T” indoors). The coach is positioned to the left or right of one of the end cones. He then either hits or rolls the baseball to the player. Step 1: At first the player is told what basketball to throw at BEFORE the ball is hit. Either right, left or center. He fields the ball and throws at the specified basketball. Go a couple rounds. Watch the player’s eyes. Once fielding the ball do they look up quickly to “spot” their target? Step 2: Hit the ball first. As they are getting ready to field the ball call out which basketball to throw to hit. They will begin to find their target sooner. Watch for cheating. Some will want to peek before the ball gets to them. You want to make sure they get into the habit of fielding the ball then look up. Using the proper ready position, begin with your feet on the line running left to right. This line is square to the pitcher. Both feet should be in contact with this line, with your left foot slightly in front of the right. Using the jab step or replacement method of throwing, stay low and make a throw down to second base. Stop in the cocked position and check your foot alignment. Both feet should be on the vertical line. If they are not, you are out of position. Try again and make an adjustment. Be sure you are not off balance and falling over. Repeat until both feet land on the vertical line. You may also try this drill using the rock-andthrow method, but you need to start with your plant foot on the horizontal and VERTICAL lines. Tips: 1. Work on doing it correctly each and every time. 2. Work on getting faster each time.