Baseball drill
No false step drill
A bat laid on the ground just in front of an outfielder's toes makes the first move honest: any step forward kicks the bat. The player drop steps back on a ball hit over the head without moving or touching it.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Outfield
- Ages
- 6U to High school
- Players
- 2 (a coach or partner and a player), or several pairs
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Level
- Beginner
- Equipment
- A bat, Gloves, A few balls (optional)
- Indoors
- Yes
A false step is the little step forward, or the rock in place, that many outfielders make before they go back on a ball. It feels like getting started, but it moves the body the wrong way and costs a step on every deep fly. Players rarely notice they do it.
This drill makes the false step impossible to miss. With a bat on the ground right in front of the toes, any step or lean forward moves the bat, so the only clean start is a drop step straight back. It takes almost no space, so it works in a gym or a hallway as well as on grass, and it makes a quick warm-up before fly balls.
Setup
- Lay a bat flat on the ground, sideways to the player. The player stands in a ready position facing the coach with the toes almost touching the bat.
- The coach or partner stands about 10 to 15 feet in front of the player, on the other side of the bat.
- Clear a few strides of space behind the player on both sides.
How to run it
- The player gets into an athletic ready position, knees bent and weight on the balls of the feet, toes just behind the bat.
- The coach points over the player's left or right shoulder.
- The player drop steps back with the foot on that side, opening the hips, without moving or touching the bat.
- The player takes three hard running steps in that direction, then comes back and resets at the bat.
- After a few clean reps each way, add a short toss over the shoulder so the player finishes with a catch.
Coaching points
- The first movement is the hips turning and the foot going back. Nothing moves forward, and the bat does not move.
- Stay low out of the ready position. Standing up tall first is another kind of wasted move.
- Eyes stay on the coach, who stands in for the ball, while the feet turn.
- Quick and direct beats big and slow. The drop step does not need to be huge, it needs to be first.
Common mistakes
- A small step forward with the front foot, which shows up as a kicked or bumped bat.
- Rocking the weight forward onto the toes before turning, which nudges the bat.
- Popping straight up out of the stance before turning.
- Turning the wrong way, then crossing over to get back on line.
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
6U and 8U
Keep it to turning and running back. Praise any rep that leaves the bat where it was, and skip the toss until they can turn both ways.
10U and 12U
Look for quickness. Have the coach point without warning and vary the rhythm so players cannot guess.
14U and up
Finish every rep with a real fly ball over the shoulder, then move the drill out to the outfield with fungoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a false step in the outfield?
A step forward or a rock in place before the player goes back on a fly ball. It moves the body the wrong way first, so the player starts late on balls hit over their head.
Why is the bat in front of the player and not behind?
The false step is a move forward. With the bat at the toes, that move kicks the bat, so the player feels it right away and learns to go back first.
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