Baseball drill
One-foot balance catching drill
The player balances on one foot on home plate and catches random tosses to the glove side, the middle and the backhand side. It adds a balance challenge to basic catching and makes players reach with the glove while keeping the body centered.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Catching the ball
- Ages
- 6U to 12U
- Players
- 2 (a tosser and a catcher)
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- A glove, Soft balls or regular balls, Home plate or a flat marker
- Indoors
- Yes
Once a young player can catch tosses to all three spots around the body, standing on one foot is a simple way to make it harder. The player has to reach for the ball with the glove while keeping the head and chest over the standing foot, which is the same body control a fielder needs on an off-line throw.
Kids treat it as a game, and a wobble or a hop is part of the fun. Use it as the next step after a stationary catching drill, or as a short challenge at the end of a catching station.
Setup
- The player stands on home plate or a flat base with the glove on.
- Stand 6 to 10 feet away with several balls.
- The player lifts one foot and balances on the other, glove up with the fingers pointing up.
How to run it
- Toss above the waist to the glove side, the middle or the backhand side, without saying which.
- The player catches the ball and flips it back while trying to keep the raised foot off the ground.
- After three to five catches, the player switches to balancing on the other foot.
- Give a few extra tosses on whichever leg is wobblier.
- Count clean catches without the raised foot touching down, and try to beat the count on the next turn.
Coaching points
- Keep the tosses within reach around the shoulders and face. The point is controlled reaching, not diving.
- Head and chest stay over the standing foot while the glove reaches.
- Fingers up on every toss, even when the player starts to wobble.
- Keep it light. When a player hops or tips over, they reset on the plate and go again.
Common mistakes
- Tossing too far out of reach, so the drill becomes a balance test the player cannot pass.
- Leaning the whole body toward the ball instead of reaching with the glove.
- Letting glove position slip, catching flat-palmed because the player is thinking only about balance.
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
Coach pitch
Toss softly and close, mostly to the glove side and the middle. A player who cannot balance yet can do it with the toes of the raised foot resting on the ground.
10U and 12U
Toss a little firmer and farther from the body, and add low tosses with the fingers pointing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do a catching drill on one foot?
It forces the player to reach with the glove while keeping the body balanced, instead of lunging at every ball. It also makes a familiar drill new again, which helps young players stay focused.
More drills
Start free. Upgrade when your season needs it.
The free plan includes one team and one of each document type, with no license fee and no credit card. Paid plans start at $2.50 a month billed annually, cancel anytime.
No credit card required. Free plan available.