Softball drill
Two corners infield drill
Two coaches with fungos hit to a full infield at the same time, one to the middle for a double play and one to a corner for a throw across, then switch. It doubles the infield reps in team practice and works communication on every play.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Infield
- Ages
- 12U to High school
- Players
- A full infield, with extras rotating in, and two coaches
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Level
- Advanced
- Equipment
- Gloves, Two fungo bats, Two buckets of balls, Bases
- Indoors
- Needs a field
Standard infield practice with one coach hitting means most players are standing most of the time. With two coaches hitting, two plays happen at once, in different parts of the field, so every infielder is working on nearly every ball. Done well, it gets twice the work into the same block of practice.
It needs a full infield, two coaches who can hit accurately and players who already make routine plays and double play turns. The throws must not cross, so plan the order of the plays before starting and keep the pace controlled.
Setup
- Put a full infield at their positions, with extra players lined up behind them to rotate in.
- Two coaches stand near home plate, one on each side, each with a fungo and a bucket of balls.
- Go over the order of plays with the players before the first ball, so everyone knows where each throw is going.
How to run it
- Round 1: one coach hits to the second baseman for a double play through the shortstop, while the other hits to the third baseman for a throw to first.
- Round 2: one coach hits to the first baseman, who throws to third, while the other hits to the shortstop for a double play through the second baseman.
- Coaches keep alternating between the middle for double plays and the corners for routine plays.
- Finish with the middle infielders throwing across the diamond: the second baseman to third and the shortstop to first.
- Rotate in the extra players after each round.
Coaching points
- Plan the pairs of plays so throws never cross paths.
- Coaches time their hits a beat apart so each play has a clear lane.
- Middle infielders talk on every double play: who has the bag and where the feed is going.
- Keep it brisk but clean. Quality reps beat rushed ones.
Common mistakes
- Both coaches hitting at the same instant, which sends throws through the same space.
- Players rushing throws because of the pace and throwing the ball away.
- No talk between the middle infielders on double play turns.
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
12U
Slow it down, hit softer and start with only routine throws to first before adding double plays.
14U and up
Run it at game speed with all four rounds, and rotate positions so every infielder works both corners and the middle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep players from getting hit by throws?
Choose plays in different parts of the field whose throws do not cross, have the coaches hit a beat apart, and make sure players know the order of plays before the first ball.
Can one coach run this drill?
Not as written; it depends on two hitters. With one coach, alternate the same plays one at a time, which still gives a planned, fast round of infield.
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