Ball off the fence drill

At a glance

Sport

Baseball and Softball

Skill

Outfield

Ages

10U to High school

Players

2 to 4 per group

Time

About 10 minutes

Level

Intermediate

Equipment

Gloves, A bucket of balls, An outfield fence or a gym wall

Indoors

Yes

A ball that gets over an outfielder's head and hits the fence is often a double that turns into a triple, because the outfielder runs straight at the wall and the ball bounces right past them. Playing the carom means reading which way it will come off and getting there under control.

In this drill a coach rolls or throws balls against the fence at different angles and speeds, and the outfielder practices reading and fielding them, then turning to throw. It works on any outfield fence, and against a gym wall in the winter with softer balls.

Setup

• The coach stands about 30 to 40 feet from an outfield fence or wall with a bucket of balls.
• The outfielder starts a short distance off the fence, between the coach and the wall, in a ready position.
• Players waiting their turn stand well to the side.

How to run it

1. The coach rolls or throws a ball firmly against the fence. Rolled balls are easier to read, so start with those.
2. The outfielder reads the angle and speed of the bounce and moves toward where the ball will end up.
3. As the player gets close, they shorten their steps and come to the ball under control.
4. The player fields the ball, with the glove on a ball still moving or the bare hand on a ball that has stopped.
5. The player turns and crow hops into a throw back toward the infield, or the coach. The next player steps in.

Coaching points

• Under control near the fence. Sprinting at it usually means the ball gets past.
• Read the angle: a ball that hits the fence at an angle comes off at the opposite angle.
• Go from fielding straight into the throw without an extra hop or look.
• Bare hand only on a ball that has stopped or nearly stopped; glove on one still rolling.

Common mistakes

• Running straight at the fence and overrunning the rebound.
• Looking at the infield before the ball is secured.
• Slow, messy feet after fielding, which makes the throw late.

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.

Smaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).

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Frequently Asked Questions

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