Baseball drill
Flip the hips drill
An outfielder runs back at an angle and switches direction each time the coach calls it, flipping the hips without slowing down, then catches a ball over the shoulder. It trains the turn outfielders need when they misread a deep fly ball.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Outfield
- Ages
- 10U to High school
- Players
- 2 (a coach and a player), or a line of players
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- Gloves, A bucket of balls, Cones to mark the lane (optional)
- Indoors
- Needs a field
Even good outfielders misread a fly ball now and then, or the wind moves it. When that happens on a ball over their head, they need to change direction while still running back. Spinning around the wrong way, toward the infield, means losing sight of the ball; the faster turn is to flip the hips the other way and keep the eyes on it.
This drill makes the player switch direction on command while running back, so the turn becomes automatic. It needs a coach, a bucket and open grass. Run it after players have a solid drop step, since every rep starts with one.
Setup
- The player starts in a ready position facing the coach, about 15 to 20 feet away.
- Mark a lane behind the player with cones if you like, so the runs stay in a safe space.
- The coach holds a ball and a bucket and calls the switches.
How to run it
- On the coach's signal, the player drop steps and runs back at an angle over one shoulder.
- The coach calls a switch. The player flips the hips to run back at the opposite angle, turning the head with the ball rather than spinning away from it.
- The coach can call one or two more switches as the player keeps running back.
- After the last switch, the coach throws a fly ball over the shoulder the player is now running toward.
- The player catches it on the run and brings the ball back. The next player goes.
Coaching points
- Keep running back through the switch. The turn should not stop the feet.
- Turn the head and hips together, so the eyes find the coach and the ball again right away.
- Never backpedal between switches. Every step is a running step.
- Catch the ball on the run, and on the throwing-hand side when possible, so a throw can follow.
Common mistakes
- Stopping, planting and turning instead of flipping the hips while moving.
- Spinning the wrong way, with the back to the ball, and losing it.
- Slowing down to a jog on each switch.
- Starting with a backpedal instead of a drop step.
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
10U
Start with a single switch and a short, easy toss so players learn which way to turn.
12U
Call two or three switches and throw the ball farther so the catch has to be made on the run.
14U and up
Speed it up and lengthen the throws, then move to fungoes so the turn happens on a real ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do outfielders flip their hips on a fly ball?
To change direction while running back without losing sight of the ball. Turning the hips and head the same way keeps the ball in view, where spinning around takes the eyes off it.
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