Baseball drill
Twelve step cone drill
A square of four cones with one in the middle gives an outfielder twelve set plays in a row: fly balls, ground balls and line drives at angles to both sides, plus balls straight back. It works every route and catch an outfielder needs in one structured session.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Outfield
- Ages
- 10U to High school
- Players
- 2 to 4 per group, one coach
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- 5 cones, Gloves, A bucket of balls
- Indoors
- Needs a field
Outfield practice often means a coach hitting fly balls to whoever is out there. Players get some reps, but not the same reps, and some plays never come up at all. This drill sets out every kind of ball in order: fly balls to each side, ground balls to attack at an angle, line drives, and balls over the head.
Four cones make a square with a fifth in the center, and each step tells the player where to start and where the ball goes. It takes a few minutes to set up, and once players know the sequence, a group can move through it quickly with each player taking every step.
Setup
- Set four cones in a large square, about 15 strides on a side, with a fifth cone in the center.
- The coach stands outside the square with a bucket of balls, ready to throw or roll to each spot.
- Players start at the cone the step calls for and rotate after each rep.
How to run it
- Fly balls at an angle: the player starts at a cone and the coach throws a fly ball toward a cone on the other side. The player opens up and catches it on the run. Do it to both sides.
- Ground balls at an angle: the coach rolls a ball toward a cone, and the player takes a direct, aggressive angle to field it on a good hop. Do it to both sides.
- Line drives: the coach throws a firm, low ball, and the player runs through the catch without slowing down early. Include one below the waist.
- Fly ball straight back: the player starts at the front and the coach throws over the head, and the player turns and runs it down.
- Speed turn and get around the ball: finish with a deep ball the player has to turn on, and ground balls they have to round to come through on the way to throw.
Coaching points
- The first step goes toward the ball. No false steps.
- Run on the balls of the feet so the eyes stay steady.
- On ground balls, attack the ball and choose the hop instead of waiting for it.
- Keep the glove down while running and bring it up to catch.
- Catch on the throwing-hand side when you can, so the throw is quicker.
Common mistakes
- Taking a false step before going after the ball.
- Jogging or drifting instead of getting to the spot early.
- Running the whole way with the glove out.
- Slowing down on line drives and letting them drop.
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
10U
Use only the angled fly balls and ground balls at first, with short, easy throws.
12U
Add the line drives and ask for catches on the run without breaking stride.
14U and up
Run all twelve steps, add the speed turns and the in-between hops on the ground balls, and finish each rep with a throw.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the twelve step cone drill take?
About 15 minutes for a group of two to four once players know the sequence. The first time, walk through each step before going live.
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