Baseball drill
Three cone ground ball drill
A coach points to one of three cones, set straight ahead, to the backhand and to the forehand, and rolls a ground ball there. The fielder learns the right path and footwork for each ball before a real hitter is involved.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Infield
- Ages
- 10U to High school
- Players
- 2 (a coach and a fielder), or a line of fielders taking turns
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- Gloves, Three cones, A bucket of balls
- Indoors
- Yes
An infielder fields three kinds of ground balls: the one hit directly at them, the one hit to the glove side and the one hit to the backhand. Each requires a different path and different footwork. The three cone drill lets a fielder work all three at a slow enough pace to get them right, with the cones showing exactly where the ball is going.
Because the coach rolls instead of hitting, it suits a gym or a cage in the winter and a station during outdoor practice. Once players know the three paths, the coach can stop pointing and make them react to the roll.
Setup
- Set three cones in a triangle with the point toward the coach: one cone in the middle closest to the coach, and the other two about three yards back and out to each side.
- The fielder starts a few steps behind the two back cones in a ready position.
- The coach kneels or stands about 15 to 20 feet in front of the middle cone with the balls.
How to run it
- The coach points to a cone, then rolls a ground ball toward it.
- Middle cone: the fielder comes forward, works slightly around the ball so they are moving toward first base, fields it out in front and makes a throwing motion.
- Backhand cone: the fielder moves to the throwing-hand side, fields the ball on the backhand out in front of the lead foot, then sets the feet to throw.
- Forehand cone: the fielder moves to the glove side, gets around the ball if there is time and fields it out front, then plants and throws.
- Do three or four of each, then mix them. Rotate fielders after each round.
Coaching points
- Take a direct path to the side cones. A looping route gives the ball time to get past.
- Field every ball out in front where the eyes can see it into the glove.
- On the middle ball, a small curve around the ball puts the body's momentum toward the throw.
- After every catch, get the feet set and balanced before the throwing motion.
- Start each rep from a ready position, with weight forward on the balls of the feet.
Common mistakes
- Drifting backward to the side cones instead of going across or slightly forward.
- Letting the ball get too deep on the backhand and forehand, so it plays the fielder.
- Throwing while still moving sideways, without setting the feet.
- The coach always pointing the same order, so the fielder starts early instead of reading it.
By age
10U
Roll slowly, point every time, and work mostly on getting to the right cone and fielding the ball cleanly.
12U and 14U
Roll firmer and stop pointing after the first round, so the fielder reads the ball off the coach's hand.
High school
Hit the balls with a fungo from a little farther away and finish each rep with a real throw to a base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a young infielder field a backhand with the feet set or on the move?
Start with the feet set so the player learns where the glove goes. Once they field it cleanly, let them take it on the move and set the feet after the catch.
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