Selfies self-toss catching drill

At a glance

Sport

Baseball and Softball

Skill

Catching the ball

Ages

6U

Players

Any number, one ball each

Time

About 8 minutes

Level

Beginner

Equipment

Gloves, One ball per player (soft training balls for the youngest)

Indoors

Yes

Young players often get only a handful of catches at a practice, because every catch needs a good throw from someone else. In this drill each player is their own thrower, so a whole team gets a rep every few seconds and nobody waits in line.

The drill moves in three short phases, each a little harder than the last: putting the ball in the glove from close up, catching a soft toss in front of the chest, and catching a small pop-up above the head with the glove turned so the fingers point up. It works as a warm-up on the first day with a new glove and as a quick station in a gym.

Setup

• Give each player a glove and one ball. Use soft training balls or tennis balls with tee-ball players.
• Spread the team out in a loose line or grid with at least 6 to 8 feet between players, so a dropped ball does not roll into a neighbor.
• Show all three phases once yourself before the players start.

How to run it

1. Phase one: the player holds the glove open in front of the body and puts the ball into the pocket with the throwing hand from a few inches away, then closes the glove on it.
2. Phase two: the player tosses the ball softly up in front of the chest, no higher than the head, and catches it in the glove.
3. After each catch the throwing hand comes over to cover the ball, then the player takes it out and tosses again.
4. Phase three: the player tosses a small pop-up just over the head and catches it with the glove fingers pointing up, the glove a little in front of the face.
5. Finish with a short challenge: how many catches in a row without a drop in 60 seconds.

Coaching points

• Small, straight tosses. A controlled toss teaches more than a big one the player has to chase.
• Watch the ball all the way into the glove on every catch.
• Two hands: the throwing hand covers the ball as soon as it is in the pocket.
• On the high toss, turn the glove so the fingers point up and keep it slightly in front of the face, so the eyes can see the ball and the face stays protected.
• Move the feet to get under a toss that drifts instead of reaching with a stiff arm.

Common mistakes

• Tossing too high too soon. Keep the pop-ups barely above the head until the player is catching most of them.
• Catching every ball with the glove flat like a basket, including the high ones.
• Slapping at the ball with the glove instead of letting it come in and then squeezing.
• Players crowding together and chasing tosses into each other.

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).

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Frequently Asked Questions

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