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Baseball drill

Bucket catching drill

A player catches soft, high tosses in a small bucket held out in front at chest height, which forces them to move their feet and catch the ball out in front of the face. A fun way to fix young players who let the ball drift over their head.

A young baseball player holding a small plastic bucket up at the chest to catch a foam ball lofted by a coach, a glove on the grass nearby
Video by Dominate The Diamond on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport
Baseball and Softball
Skill
Catching the ball
Ages
6U to 10U
Players
2 (a tosser and a catcher)
Time
About 8 minutes
Level
Beginner
Equipment
Soft foam balls, A small plastic bucket, Gloves (for the last reps)
Indoors
Yes

A young player catching a high toss often gets right under it, or past it, and ends up reaching back over the head. The ball should come down just in front of the face, where the eyes can see it into the glove. This drill takes the glove away and gives the player a target that only works there: a small bucket held out in front at chest height.

Because the bucket cannot reach far, the feet have to do the work. Players think it is a funny game, which makes it a good way to get a lot of reps on a skill they find hard. Follow it right away with a few gloved catches in the same spot.

Setup

  • The player holds a small plastic bucket with both hands, out in front at chest height, the opening facing the sky.
  • The tosser stands 10 to 15 feet away with soft foam balls.
  • The glove stays on the ground for now.

How to run it

  1. Toss a foam ball high and a few steps away from the player.
  2. The player watches it and shuffles the feet to get under it.
  3. The player sets up so the ball comes down just in front of the face rather than straight on top of the head.
  4. The ball drops into the bucket.
  5. Repeat five to eight times, sending tosses left, right and in front. Then put the glove on and catch a few the same way.

Coaching points

  • Keep the feet moving until the ball is coming down. No reaching with the bucket from flat feet.
  • The target is just in front of the nose and chin, the same place the glove should meet a high ball.
  • Hold the bucket with both hands, the way two hands meet the ball on a real catch.
  • Switch to the glove after a few reps so the player feels the same catch point with the hands.

Common mistakes

  • Using real balls. Foam balls stay in the bucket and are safe if one is misjudged.
  • Stopping the feet early and leaning to reach the ball with the bucket.
  • Drifting too far under, so the ball lands behind the head.
  • Holding the bucket low at the waist, which teaches the catch point too low.

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

6U

Use a wide bucket and low, gentle tosses, and celebrate every ball that lands in it.

8U and 10U

Use a smaller bucket and higher tosses that make the player move, then five gloved catches with the same footwork.

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why a bucket instead of a glove?

The bucket only works when the ball comes down just in front of the face, so the player has to move the feet to get there. With a glove, young players reach instead of moving.

What size bucket works best?

A small sand pail for older players and a wider bucket for the youngest. The smaller the bucket, the more the feet have to do.

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