Four corners throwing drill

At a glance

Sport

Baseball and Softball

Skill

Throwing

Ages

10U to High school

Players

12 to 24 (3 to 6 per base)

Time

About 10 minutes

Level

Intermediate

Equipment

Gloves, Bases, Two or three balls, Catcher's gear for the players at home

Indoors

Needs a field

Four corners is the classic throw-it-around-the-bases drill, and the version shown here keeps everyone busy. A group stands at each base. The player on the bag catches, plants once and throws to the next base, while the next player in that line moves to back up the throw. Catchers work at home plate in full gear, receiving throws and throwing from a crouch.

Because every throw goes the full distance between bases, players learn what a real base-to-base throw takes, and because the backup player has to move on every ball, nobody stands in line waiting. Use it as a team throwing warm-up before infield, or as a stand-alone drill early in the season.

Setup

• Split the team into four groups, one at each base and one at home plate, ideally three or four players per spot.
• Put catchers in full gear at home plate.
• The first player in each group stands on the bag; the second stands a few steps behind, ready to back up.
• Start with one ball at home plate.

How to run it

1. The first player throws to the next base around the diamond.
2. The receiver catches on the bag, plants the throwing-side foot with one quick step and throws on to the next base. No running with the ball.
3. On every throw, the second player at the receiving base moves to back it up in case of a bad throw.
4. At home, the catcher receives from a crouch: a ball in the dirt is blocked and thrown from the knees, and a ball up is thrown from the feet.
5. After throwing, each player goes to the back of their own line and the backup steps onto the bag.
6. Halfway through, call a reverse so everyone throws and turns the other way around the diamond.

Coaching points

• One plant, one throw. Extra steps are the thing this drill is meant to take out.
• Receivers start on the bag, so every throw is the full distance between bases.
• Two hands on the catch, and eyes on the ball into the glove before looking at the next base.
• A ball on the ground gets picked up with the bare hand, not scooped with the glove.
• The backup player moves on every throw, not just the bad ones.

Common mistakes

• Taking three or four steps or a crow hop before every throw.
• Drifting off the bag toward the thrower, which shortens the throw.
• Looking at the next base before the ball is in the glove, and dropping it.
• Standing flat-footed in line instead of backing up.

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).

By age

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

More drills

• 21 throwing accuracy game
• Figure eight throwing drill
• Bench stride direction throwing drill
• All Baseball throwing drills
• All drills