Baseball drill
Do or die ground ball drill
Outfielders charge a ground ball hard, field it on the glove side on the run and crow hop into a throw, first as a dry run with no ball, then with live grounders. It builds the all-out play an outfielder makes to throw out a runner trying to score.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Outfield
- Ages
- 12U to High school
- Players
- A line of outfielders, one coach with a bat
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- Gloves, A bat, A bucket of balls, A throwing net or a target, Cones
- Indoors
- Needs a field
With a runner trying to score from second on a single, the outfielder has one chance. A safe, two-knee block is too slow; they have to charge the ball, pick it on the run and throw in one motion. Coaches call it the do or die play, and it is worth practicing because it decides close games.
The video teaches it in two stages. First players run through the footwork with no ball, so they learn where to field it and how to step into the throw. Then the coach hits ground balls and players do it live, throwing into a net. Save it for players who already field routine outfield grounders well.
Setup
- Place a starting cone for the outfielders out in front of the coach, far enough that they can build up speed on the way in.
- The coach stands with a bat and a bucket of balls. Set a throwing net or target off to the side or behind the coach.
- Outfielders form a line at the starting cone.
How to run it
- Dry run: with no ball, each player runs in, breaks down a little, fields an imaginary ball outside the glove-side foot, and goes straight into a crow hop and throwing motion.
- Live: the first player starts running in toward the coach.
- The coach hits a ground ball at the charging player.
- The player gathers slightly, fields the ball just outside the glove-side foot without stopping, and crow hops into a strong throw at the net or target.
- If the ball gets past, the player keeps going and goes to the back of the line rather than chasing it. Retrieve balls between rounds.
Coaching points
- Attack the ball. Shortening the distance is what makes the play.
- Field it outside the glove-side foot, not between the feet, so the throw comes right out of the catch.
- Stay low with the chest down and the eyes on the ball into the glove.
- The crow hop drives toward the target, not up in the air.
- Only use this play when the game calls for it. On a routine single with nobody trying to score, play it safe.
Common mistakes
- Slowing down too early and letting the ball play the fielder.
- Fielding in the middle of the body, which stops the momentum.
- Stopping to throw instead of carrying the run into the crow hop.
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 cardSmaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).
By age
12U
Spend extra time on the dry run and hit the ground balls at a moderate speed. Clean fielding comes before throwing hard.
14U and up
Hit the ball harder, throw to a catcher at home plate instead of a net, and add a cutoff player for balls the catcher calls to cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a do or die play in the outfield?
It is charging a ground ball, fielding it on the run on the glove side and throwing in one motion, usually to stop a runner from scoring. The outfielder gives up the safe block for a chance at the out, so it is used only when the play calls for it.
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