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Softball drill

Bad hop reaction drill

A coach rolls balls into a dome-shaped mat or a length of PVC pipe so they bounce up in unpredictable directions, and fielders react and catch them. It trains quick hands and the habit of staying with a ball that takes a bad hop.

A youth softball fielder reacting as a rolled ball kicks up off a white pipe lying on the dirt, two teammates waiting in line behind
Video by Foul Pole to Foul Pole on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport
Baseball and Softball
Skill
Infield
Ages
10U to High school
Players
3 to 5 per group, taking turns
Time
About 10 minutes
Level
Intermediate
Equipment
A fielding dome mat, or a PVC pipe or broomstick laid on the ground, Gloves, A bucket of balls (soft balls for younger players)
Indoors
Yes

On a real infield, a ball that hits a pebble or a lip in the grass changes direction a few feet in front of the fielder. Players who tense up or stand up get beaten. This drill creates that bad hop on purpose: a ball rolled into a curved mat or a pipe kicks up and sideways, and the fielder has a split second to adjust.

It is a good indoor station and a fun change from routine ground balls. A dome mat made for it is handy, but a length of PVC pipe or a broomstick on the floor does much the same job.

Setup

  • Lay the dome mat, or a PVC pipe across the fielder's path, a few feet in front of the fielder.
  • The coach or a player kneels about 15 to 20 feet away with a bucket of balls.
  • Fielders line up behind the first one, ready to step in.

How to run it

  1. The first fielder steps up in a low, athletic fielding position.
  2. The coach rolls a ball firmly into the mat or pipe.
  3. The ball kicks up off it, and the fielder reacts, moves the hands and feet and catches it.
  4. The fielder tosses the ball aside and the next player steps in.
  5. Keep the line moving quickly. Rotate through several times, then roll harder.

Coaching points

  • Be low and ready before the ball is rolled, weight on the balls of the feet.
  • Watch the ball hit the mat. That is where the new direction starts.
  • Relaxed, soft hands react faster than a stiff glove and absorb the ball.
  • Stay down through the catch. Standing up lifts the glove away from low kicks.

Common mistakes

  • Standing up before the ball reaches the mat.
  • Stabbing at the ball instead of giving with it.
  • Turning the head away as the ball pops up.

Printable drill card

Take this drill to the field: the setup, steps, coaching points and equipment on one card, with the video's address to find it again. Free, no account needed.

Print the drill card

Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

By age

10U

Use soft balls and moderate rolls, and consider batting helmets with face guards for players who are new to it.

12U and 14U

Use regular balls with moderate speed and look for clean catches with two hands.

High school

Roll harder for more erratic bounces and keep score of clean catches in a round.

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of a dome mat?

A length of PVC pipe or a broomstick laid on the ground in front of the fielder. A ball rolled into it pops up and changes direction in much the same way.

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