Softball drill

Catch on the run drill

Name: How To Teach 6-8 Year Olds To Catch A Baseball [Baseball Catching Drills]
Channel: Antonelli Baseball
Description: A player jogs toward the coach and then across in front of them while the coach leads them with soft tosses, high and low, to the glove side and the backhand. It teaches young players to keep their feet moving and catch without stopping.

A player jogs toward the coach and then across in front of them while the coach leads them with soft tosses, high and low, to the glove side and the backhand. It teaches young players to keep their feet moving and catch without stopping.

Video by Antonelli Baseball on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport: Baseball and Softball
Skill: Catching the ball
Ages: 6U to 12U
Players: 1 tosser and 1 player at a time, or a line of 3 to 5
Time: About 10 minutes
Level: Beginner
Equipment: Gloves, Soft balls or regular balls
Indoors: Needs a field

Young players who can catch standing still often stop dead when they have to move to a ball, or reach with the glove while they run. In this drill the player is always moving and the coach puts the toss where they will be, so they learn to catch with the feet going and the eyes level.

It mixes everything a player has learned about glove position: fingers down on a low ball, fingers up on a high one, forehand and backhand. Run it after a stationary catching drill, and use it as a bridge toward fielding.

Setup

The coach stands with a pile of balls. The player starts 20 to 25 feet away with a glove on.
Clear a lane of about 30 feet so the player can keep running after the catch.
With a group, line players up behind the start and send them one at a time.

How to run it

The player jogs straight toward the coach at an easy pace.
The coach leads them with a soft underhand toss below the waist; the player catches it fingers down without slowing, then jogs back.
Repeat the straight-in run with a toss above the waist, caught fingers up.
Next, the player starts off to one side and jogs across in front of the coach, who tosses a little ahead of them to the glove side.
The player runs back across the other way for a backhand catch. Alternate directions.

Coaching points

Run through the catch. The player should not brake or hop to a stop before the ball arrives.
Smooth, gliding steps with soft knees keep the head and eyes level.
The coach tosses slightly ahead of the runner, so keeping speed is rewarded.
Match the glove to the ball's height: fingers down low, fingers up high.

Common mistakes

Stopping to catch, then starting again.
Running with the glove stuck out in front the whole way, which slows the player down.
Tosses behind the runner, which teach them to slow down.
Jogging too fast for the player's control. Start at a walk if needed.

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

Tee ball and coach pitch

Walk it first, then jog, with soft balls and short lanes. Stick to the straight-in runs until the player is catching most of them.

10U and 12U

Jog faster, lengthen the lane, and use firmer tosses or short throws, mixing forehand and backhand in the same run.

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a player catch with one hand on the run?

Often, yes. When a player is moving to a ball, reaching with the glove hand alone keeps them balanced and gives more reach. Two hands are for balls they have gotten in front of and stopped for.

More drills

Start free. Upgrade when your season needs it.

The free plan includes one team and one of each document type, with no license fee and no credit card. Paid plans start at $2.50 a month billed annually, cancel anytime.

See Pricing

No credit card required. Free plan available.