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Baseball drill

Frisbee fly ball drill

A coach throws a flying disc, or a floppy cone, high and the outfielder keeps the feet moving to stay under it as it drifts and catches it. It teaches the constant small adjustments a fly ball in the wind needs.

A young baseball player with no glove reaching both hands up for an orange flying disc a coach has thrown high
Video by Dominate The Diamond on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport
Baseball and Softball
Skill
Outfield
Ages
6U to 14U
Players
2 (a coach and a player), or a short line
Time
About 10 minutes
Level
Beginner
Equipment
Flying discs or soft, flexible cones
Indoors
Yes

Fly balls do not always fall where they first seem to. Wind, spin and a misread all make the ball drift, and players who plant their feet early end up reaching for it. A flying disc or a floppy cone drifts and floats far more than a ball, which forces the player to keep the feet moving right up to the catch.

Because the object is soft, there is no fear of being hit, which makes this a good first fly ball drill for young players and a fun change of pace for older ones. It needs little space and works in a gym.

Setup

  • The coach stands 15 to 20 feet from the player with several flying discs or flexible cones.
  • The player starts in a ready position. No glove is needed.
  • Clear the space around the player so they can move in any direction.

How to run it

  1. The coach throws the disc or cone high into the air toward the player.
  2. The player tracks it and moves to get underneath it.
  3. As it drifts, the player keeps adjusting with small, quick steps to stay under it.
  4. The player catches it with two hands, above the head when possible.
  5. Repeat with different heights and angles, then rotate the next player in.

Coaching points

  • Keep the feet moving with small steps until the catch.
  • Catch it up high, in front of the forehead, the same place a fly ball is caught.
  • Watch it all the way into the hands.
  • Move the feet to get under it rather than reaching out with the arms.

Common mistakes

  • Planting the feet early and then reaching when it drifts.
  • Catching it down at the waist.
  • Crossing the feet when shuffling to the side and stumbling.

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

Throw it gently and close. The goal is just getting the body under it and catching with two hands.

10U to 14U

Throw higher and with more spin or wobble so it drifts more, then follow with real fly balls so the footwork carries over.

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a frisbee for outfield practice?

A disc floats and drifts more than a ball, so players have to keep adjusting their feet to stay under it. It is soft, so young players can work on fly balls without being afraid of the ball.

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