Close-range catch and trap drill

At a glance

Sport

Baseball and Softball

Skill

Catching the ball

Ages

6U

Players

1 to 3 players per coach

Time

About 10 minutes

Level

Beginner

Equipment

Gloves, Soft tee-ball or foam balls, Poly spots or flat markers

Indoors

Yes

Most three- and four-year-olds do not have the hand strength to squeeze a glove shut on a ball. What they can do is hold the glove open as a big target and slap the bare hand over the ball when it lands. This drill uses that: the coach is close enough to put the ball in the pocket almost every time, so the player gets a catch on nearly every try.

The aim is confidence and a habit, two hands together, more than technique. Keep the groups tiny, give every child a spot to stand on, and keep the turns short so nobody waits long.

Setup

• Put down a poly spot or flat marker for each player, a few feet apart.
• Players put on their gloves and stand on their spots facing the coach.
• The coach kneels just 2 to 3 feet in front of the player whose turn it is, with a soft ball.

How to run it

1. The player steps the glove-side foot a little forward and holds both hands up in front of the chest.
2. The player opens the glove wide like a target, with the bare hand next to it.
3. Give one fake toss first to check that the player keeps the hands up and does not flinch.
4. Toss the ball gently straight into the open glove.
5. The player brings the bare hand over the pocket right away to trap the ball, then hands it back.
6. Do five or six tosses, then move to the next player.

Coaching points

• Use soft, squishy balls so a miss never hurts.
• Help the player spread the glove open before each toss if the leather is stiff.
• The pocket faces the coach, fingers up, rather than lying flat like a basket.
• Watch the ball into the glove, then trap.
• Keep the distance almost within arm's reach, so nearly every toss is a catch.

Common mistakes

• Holding the glove flat under the ball, which can let the ball bounce up toward the face.
• Letting the glove sag closed between tosses.
• Swatting at the ball with the glove instead of holding it still and trapping.
• Backing up too soon. Stay close until the player is catching almost every toss.

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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