Stances

1
Part 2
2
Stances

• Infielders - Outfielders
• 1. Be prepared
• Watch the pitcher
• Listen for the coach
• 2. Ready position 1 SEMI READY
• Watch the pitcher
• When the pitcher is on the mound go to the
  SEMI READY stance

3
Stances

• 1. Stand up stance (outfield)
• Feet shoulder width apart
• One foot slightly back
• Shoulders square to the batter
• Glove presented in front of the chest
• with throwing hand inside glove
• Rocking side to side

4
Stances

• 2. Bent over stance (infield)
• Feet slightly wider than
• shoulder width apart
• Shoulders square to the batter
• Legs slightly bent
• Hands on knees
• Arms straight or slightly bent
• Weight balanced on balls and heels of feet
• Dont get tired
• Back straight

5
Stances

• 3. Ready position 2 GET READY
• Watch the pitcher
• When the pitcher starts his throwing motion
  get to the GET READY stance

6
Stances

• 1. Stand up stance (outfielders)
• Come down to the bent
• over stance
• Weight shifts to the balls of feet
• Hands are moved to the knees

7
Stances

• 2. Bent over stance (infield)
• Hands are moved from
• the knees to in between the
• knees
• Throwing hand can be inside the glove or
• to the side of the glove
• Weight shifts to the balls of the feet

8
Stances

• 4. Ready position 3 READY TO REACT
• Watch the pitcher
• 1. Stand up stance
• Outfielders stance same as SEMI
  READY
• 2. Bend over stance (infield)
• When the pitcher releases the ball
  begin to creep
• Called CREEP WITH THE PITCH
• Step-Step only

9
Stances

• 2. Bend over stance (infielder)
• When the pitcher releases the ball
  begin to CREEP
• Called CREEP WITH THE PITCH
• Step Step only

10
Stances

• From the READY TO REACT position
• Take one small step forward with one leg
• Take one small step forward with the other
  leg

11
Stances

• Feet slightly wider that shoulder width
  apart
• Both feet straight
• Legs and back bent like sitting in a chair
• Weight on inside balls of feet
• Helps to push of left or right
• Glove almost on ground
• Glove open and introduce the pocket

12
Stances

• Glove fingers down and palm up. Prevents
  runner
• Throwing hand next to glove
• ready for top hand position
• Fingers together
• Should not be moving when ball is hit
• You are ready to react
• Assume that every ball will be hit to you

13
Stances

• 5. Batter does not hit the ball
• 1. Stand up stance (outfield)
• Stand back up
• Start again from the
• SEMI READY position

14
Stances

• 2. Bend over stance (infield)
• Stand up
• Take the same steps back
• Start all over again from the
• SEMI READY position

15
Stances

• Catchers
• 1. Be prepared
• Watch the pitcher
• Listen for the coach
• 2. Basic stance
• Wide solid base
• Weight on inner balls of feet
• Glove out in front with arms slightly bent
• Glove slightly above knees

16
Stances

• Throwing arm and hand behind thigh.
• Throwing hand in a fist with thumb tucked
  inside fingers.
• Shoulders square to the pitcher.

17
Fielding a ground ball

• Infielders In front
• 1. From READY TO REACT
• Plan ahead. What to do?
• Glove is already down.
• Easier to come up rather than down.
• Throwing hand moves from side of glove
  to top of glove.
• Called TOP HAND.
• Helps stop bad hops.

18
Fielding a ground ball

• Fingers together to protect.
• As the ball hits the pocket. cover the ball
  with throwing hand.
• When you cover the ball set the ball up in
  the throwing hand.
• Bring the glove, ball, and throwing hand to
  the stomach together.
• Called SUCK IT UP.

19
Fielding a ground ball

• Watch the glove into the stomach.
• Move the glove to the throwing hand side of
  body.
• Set yourself up to throw.
• Shoulders pointed to target.
• Throw from a half crow hop.

20
Fielding a ground ball

• Infielders In front
• 1. From READY TO REACT.
• 2. Ball hit softly in front or to the side.
• Must charge the ball.
• Ball to the side charge, cut the path off
  and set up.
• Set up from the READY TO REACT.
• Same procedure as before.

21
Fielding a ground ball

• Infielders To the side
• 1. From READY TO REACT.
• Push off with the opposite foot.
• Ball to the right push off with left foot.
• Get to the ball quick as possible.
• Take the proper angle to try and get in
  front of the ball.

22
Fielding a ground ball

• Try to field every ball in front.
• Field the ground ball from the READY TO
  REACT.
• Suck it up and set yourself up to throw.

23
Fielding a ground ball

• Infielders Backhand
• 1. From READY TO REACT.
• Push off with the opposite foot.
• Get to the ball quick as possible.
• Line up the glove with the path of the ball.
• Keep head behind the glove.
• Get glove on the ground.

24
Fielding a ground ball

• Present the pocket.
• Easier to come up than down.
• Receive the ball in the pocket or web.
• Forget about using two hands.
• Bring the glove to the chest and grab the
  ball with the throwing hand while still
  stepping.
• Plant your push off foot as soon as
  possible.

25
Fielding a ground ball

• Stop your momentum.
• Set yourself up to throw.
• Stay under control.
• Dont rush your throw.
• Get a good base.
• Half crow hop throw.
• Follow through with throw.

26
Fielding a ground ball

• Infielders Forehand
• 1. From READY TO REACT.
• Push off with the opposite foot.
• Get to the ball quick as possible.
• Line up the glove with the path of the ball.
• Keep head behind the glove.
• Get glove on the ground.

27
Fielding a ground ball

• Present the pocket.
• Easier to come up than down.
• Receive the ball in the pocket or web.
• Forget about using two hands.
• Bring the glove to the chest and grab the
  ball with the throwing hand while still
  stepping.
• Plant your stride foot as soon as
  possible.

28
Fielding a ground ball

• Stop your momentum.
• Set yourself up to throw.
• Stay under control.
• Dont rush your throw.
• Get a good base.
• Half crow hop throw.
• Shoulders pointed to target.

29
Fielding a ground ball

• Follow through with the throw.

30
Drills

• 1. Throwing
• Throwing from different fielding positions.

31
Drills

• 2. Pick-ups (soft hands drill)
• One person in the semi ready.
• One person feeding ground balls.
• Fielder takes one shuffle to one side.
• Person feeding ground balls throws a ground
  ball.
• Fielder gets down and fields. the ball with
  bottom hand and top hand.

32
Drills

• Fielder fields the ball, sucks it up and
  underhand throws back to person feeding balls.
• Fielder then takes two shuffles to the other
  side .
• Person feeding ground balls throws another
  ball.
• Fielder gets down and fields the ball with
  bottom hand and top hand.

33
Drills

• Fielder underhand tosses the ball to the
  feeder.
• Repeat process over and over.
• 2 sets of 25 each player.
• Drill is not a race.

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Drills

• 3. Creep pepper with a coach.
• Use three to four players.
• Line up in a straight line.
• Coach simulates a pitcher.
• Pitcher has the ball SEMI READY.
• Starts a pitching motion.
• READY STANCE
• Pitcher releases the ball. First step on
  creep.

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Drills

• Second step of creep.
• Coach throws a ground ball.
• Fielder fields ball properly, throws the
  ball to a target.
• Fielders that dont get a ball reverse
  creeps back to position.
• Fielder that threw the ball gets back
  into position.
• Start over form the beginning.

36
Catchers

• Catching
• 1. Catching the ball
• Weight on inside balls of feet.
• Ready to move to either side.
• Catch the ball out in front.
• Catching arm slightly bent.
• Throwing arm behind thigh. Catch the ball
  in the pocket.
• Pick the ball.
• Never turn the glove.

37
Catchers

• Catching
• Never turn the glove upside down unless ball
  is in the dirt.

38
Catchers

• Throwing
• 1. Throwing the ball
• Catch the ball out in front.
• Pick the ball.
• Stay in the catchers box.
• Stay down to let the umpire see the ball.
• Start to stand up bring glove to chest.
• Rotate shoulders to target.

39
Catchers

• Throwing
• Point glove hand shoulder to target.
• Step and throw or half crow hop to throw.
• Follow through on the throw.

40
Catchers

• Blocking
• 1. Balls in front
• You are a brick wall.
• Nothing gets by you.
• Basic stance drop to the knees. Stay wide.
• Same time rotate the glove upside down and
  cover in between the legs. 5 Hole.
• Keep throwing hand behind thigh.

41
Catchers

• Shoulders square to pitcher.
• Chest slightly bent over.
• Chin stays tucked to chest.
• Do not turn head.
• Keep throwing hand behind thigh.
• Locate the ball with mask on.
• Get to your feet ASAP.
• Take mask off if cant find ball.
• Look to pitcher for help.

42
Catchers

• Get to a throwing position ASAP.
• Look at the lead runner.

43
Catchers

• 2. Balls to the side
• From the same stance.
• Push off with the opposite foot.
• Step to the side with other leg
• Get in front of the ball ASAP
• Line up the belly button with the ball.
• Drop to the knees, stay wide.
• Same procedure as ball in front.

44
Drills

• 1. Catching the ball from the basic stance.
• 2. Throwing drills from different positions.
• 3. Blocking drills
• Start out with wiffle balls, confidence.
• Without glove, front each side.
• With glove, front each side.

45
Fielding a ground ball

• Outfielders
• 1. Field the same way as infielder.
• 2. Stay basic and simple.
• 3. Plan ahead, what to do.
• As players are ready to progress
• Teach fielding on the run.
• From the READY TO REACT position.
• One foot always back.

46
Fielding a ground ball

• Locate the ball off the bat.
• First step is always back.
• Drop step the leg to the side the ball is
  hit to.
• Easier to step back and come forward than to
  step forward and go back.

47
Fielding a ground ball

• Get over to the ball ASAP.
• Field the ball on the run while getting in
  front of the ball.
• Field the ball on the glove hand side.
• Field the ball in the pocket and start to
  bring the glove to the chest. Cover the ball
  with the throwing hand.
• Stay under control.

48
Fielding a ground ball

• While ball is pulled into the chest, step
  with the other foot.
• Step again with the glove hand side foot.
• This is the start of the full crow hop
  throw.
• Push and hop with the stride foot.
• Stay under control.

49
Fielding a ground ball

• Land on your push off leg.
• Pick up your target.
• Point with the leading shoulder.
• Stride and throw with your momentum.
• Lead with the elbow and throw over the top.
  

50
Fielding a ground ball

• Follow through with your momentum to the
  target.
• Follow through on the throw.

51
Drills

• 1. Ground balls in front
• Use two players.
• Make sure they charge the ball and set up.
• Player not fielding the ball must swing
  around and back up player fielding the ball.
• Field the ball on the run and throw to a
  target.
• Dont hold on to the ball. Come up throwing.
  

52
Drills

• 2. Ground balls to either side
• Use two players.
• Make sure they get over to the ball and set
  up.
• Player fielding the ball must call it
  BALL.
• Player not fielding the ball must swing
  around and back up fielder fielding the ball.
• Field the ball on the run and throw to a
  target.
• Dont hold on to the ball. Come up throwing.
  

53
Drills

• 3. Gappers between two players
• Use two players.
• Make sure they get over to the ball and set
  up.
• Player fielding the ball must call it
  BALL.
• Player not fielding the ball must swing
  around and back up fielder fielding the ball.
• Field the ball on the run and throw to a
  target.
• Dont hold on to the ball. Come up throwing.
  

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Fly Balls

• 1. Infield pop-ups
• From the READY TO REACT position.
• Track the ball off the bat.
• Get under the ball ASAP.
• If you can get to the ball first, call it.
  BALL.
• Shortstop has first priority on all infield
  fly balls.
• Second baseman had second priority on all
  infield fly balls.

55
Fly Balls

• If you try for the ball and someone else
  calls it, back up that fielder or get to a base.
• Try to catch the ball on the glove side.
  Keep open line of sight.
• Use two hands.
• Both palms facing up with thumbs turned in.
• Catch the ball and cover the ball with the
  throwing hand.

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Fly Balls

• Look at the base runners and be prepared to
  throw the ball to a base.

57
Drills

• 1. Infield fly balls
• Use two or three players.
• Short infield fly balls.
• Player fielding the ball must call it
  BALL.
• Player not fielding the ball must back up
  that fielder or get to a base.
• Catch the ball in a good position.
• Look at the base runners and be prepared to
  throw the ball.

58
Fly Balls

• 2. Outfield fly balls
• From the READY TO REACT position.
• Plan ahead. What to do?
• Locate the ball off the bat.
• First step is always back.
• Drop step the leg to the side the ball is
  hit to. Belly button to the ball.
• Step back then forward rather than forward
  then back.

59
Fly Balls

• Run to the spot where you think the ball
  is going to land.
• If you can get to the ball first call for it
  by saying BALL.
• You dont call the ball get behind the
  player who called it and back him up.
• Outfielders have priority over any
  infielder.
• Stay behind the ball one or two steps.

60
Fly Balls

• Catch the ball coming forward.
• Catch the ball on the glove side.
• Use two hands to transfer the ball to the
  throwing hand.
• Once the ball is caught shoulders should be
  square to the target.

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Fly Balls

• Throw the ball to the target with a full
  crow hop.

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Fly Balls

• Use forward momentum to help your throw.
• Follow through with momentum to target.
• Follow through on the throw.

63
Drills

• 1. Fly balls in front
• Use two players at the same time.
• First step back.
• Get under the ball.
• Player not fielding the ball back up player
  catching the ball.
• Catch the ball and set yourself up to throw.
  
• Throw to a target or base. Dont hold the
  ball.

64
Drills

• 1. Fly balls to either side
• Use two players at the same time.
• First step back.
• Get under the ball. Player to the ball first
  call it BALL.
• Player not fielding the ball back up player
  catching the ball.
• Catch the ball and set yourself up to throw.
  
• Throw to a target or base. Dont hold the
  ball.

65
Drills

• 1. Fly balls to the gap
• Use two players at the same time.
• First step back.
• Get under the ball. Player to the ball first
  call it BALL.
• Player not fielding the ball back up player
  catching the ball.
• Catch the ball and set yourself up to throw.
  
• Throw to a target or base. Dont hold the
  ball.

66
Relay-Cutoff situations

• Who covers, Who relays?
• 1. Center fielder is the key to see who is the
  relay man and who has a base.
• 2. A relay person must get into position ASAP
  with both hands up and square to the outfielder
  and base.

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Relay-Cutoff situations

• 1. Second base
• If the center fielder doesnt move or moves
  to his right the shortstop is the relay man and
  the second baseman has the base.
• If the center fielder moves to his left the
  second baseman is the relay man and the
  shortstop has the base.
• If the right fielder fields the ball the
  second baseman is the relay man and the
  shortstop has the base.

68
Relay-Cutoff situations

• 2. Third base
• If the center fielder doesnt move or moves
  to his right the shortstop is the relay man and
  the second baseman has second base.
• If the center fielder moves to his left the
  second baseman is the relay man and the
  shortstop has second base.
• If the right fielder fields the ball the
  second baseman is the relay man and the
  shortstop has second base.

69
Relay-Cutoff situations

• A well hit ball or a ball down the first base
  line use two relay men. Both second baseman and
  shortstop.

70
Relay-Cutoff situations

• 3. Home plate (two person relay system)
• Same rules apply for shortstop and second
  baseman for first relay man.
• Ball hit over third baseman or down the line
  the third baseman is the second relay man.
• Stay in the infield and imagine an arch from
  third base line to pitchers rubber to first base
  line.
• Third baseman needs to stay close to third
  base incase of a play at third .

71
Relay-Cutoff situations

• Ball hit anywhere else, the first baseman is
  the second relay man.
• Stay in the infield and imagine an arch from
  third base line to pitchers rubber to first base
  line.
• Pitcher backs up any base that the ball is
  going to be thrown to.

72
How to line up a relay system

• 1. Determine after the ball is hit which base
  to set up.
• 2. Fielder covering the base that is being set
  up has control on single relays.
• If a two person relay system is used, you are
  responsible for the person in front of you .
• Line up the relay system in a straight line
  to the base.
• YELL at the person in front of you LEFT or
  RIGHT.
• Relay person must move in that direction step
  by step until he hears STICK.

73
Drills

• 1. Line up drill with single relay system
• Three players for a single line up drill.
• One player on a imaginary base.
• One person in the outfield.
• Rest of players at an imaginary shortstop
  position.
• Coach throws or hits a ball to the
  outfielder.
• One player from the shortstop position runs
  out to be a relay man.
• Player on the base must line him up.

74
Drills

• Relay person must set up square with hands
  up.
• Outfielder throws ball to relay person.
  Throw to the head.
• Relay person catches the ball, turns and sets
  up to throw, throws to the base.
• After relay person throws the ball, rotate.
• 2. Line up drill with double relay system .
• Same as above except with four players.

75
Situations

• 1. Teach kids to plan ahead
• Know what to do with the ball before its hit
  to you. Plan ahead!
• Know the outs. Ground ball hit to me go to
  second, ball in the air go to third.
• 2. Use various game situations in practice
• Different runners on different bases.
• Different outs.
• Break with questions and answers.