Baseball drill

Thumb on the heel two-hand catch

Name: Two Hand Receiving Baseball Drill
Channel: DNA Sports
Description: In partner catch, the player rests the bare thumb on the heel of the glove instead of holding the bare hand in front of the pocket, so the glove closes onto the ball and the bare hand is right there to take it out. A small change that keeps fingers safe and speeds up the throw.

In partner catch, the player rests the bare thumb on the heel of the glove instead of holding the bare hand in front of the pocket, so the glove closes onto the ball and the bare hand is right there to take it out. A small change that keeps fingers safe and speeds up the throw.

Video by DNA Sports on YouTube. The write-up below is ours.

At a glance

Sport: Baseball and Softball
Skill: Catching the ball
Ages: 6U to 12U
Players: 2 (partners), any number of pairs
Time: About 8 minutes
Level: Beginner
Equipment: Gloves, One ball per pair (soft balls for beginners)
Indoors: Needs a field

Use two hands is good advice that young players often follow too literally. They hold the bare hand flat in front of the pocket or slap it over the ball, and sooner or later a throw catches the fingers. A safer two-hand catch has the bare thumb resting along the heel of the glove, so the bare hand sits beside the pocket, not in front of it.

When the ball arrives, the glove closes toward the waiting hand and the hand can grip the ball right away for the throw. The drill is simply partner catch with that one detail checked on every throw.

Setup

Pair players up 15 to 25 feet apart, one ball per pair.
Have each player find the heel of the glove, the thumb-side edge near the wrist, and rest the bare thumb along it.
The bare fingers stay relaxed, out of the pocket.

How to run it

The receiver sets up in a ready position with the glove in front of the chest and the bare thumb on the heel.
The partner makes an easy chest-high throw.
As the ball goes into the pocket, the glove closes toward the bare hand. The bare hand does not slap the ball.
The bare hand takes the ball out of the closed glove, the hands come to the chest, and the player throws back.
Do 15 to 20 throws each, checking that the thumb stays on the heel until the ball arrives.

Coaching points

The bare hand waits on the edge of the glove. It does not reach out to trap the ball.
Fingers of the glove up on chest-high throws, so the pocket faces the partner.
Let the ball push the glove closed into the bare hand.
Bring the hands to the chest together as the player gets ready to throw.

Common mistakes

Holding the bare palm flat in front of the pocket, where the ball can hit the fingers.
Slapping the bare hand over the ball, which can knock it out.
Catching one-handed and reaching across late for the ball.

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

Tee ball and coach pitch

Use soft balls at 10 to 15 feet and stop after each catch to look at where the bare thumb is.

10U and 12U

Play at normal partner-catch distance and make it the habit for every warm-up throw.

Next: Free defensive lineup generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should kids catch with two hands?

Yes, on balls they can get in front of, but the bare hand should sit next to the glove, thumb on the heel, rather than in front of the pocket. That keeps the fingers out of the ball's path and puts the hand right there for the throw.

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