Help for Outfielders

Misjudged flyballs can often be the result of improper running technique. Some kids naturally run on their heels instead of the balls of their feet. Ground shock migrates from the feet up to the head. The head bobbing that results causes blurred vision.

Generally, the kids who have this type of trouble are easy to spot. They appear confused and sometimes stab at the ball like they are uncertain which one to catch. To cure this, I make a habit of having my entire team run on their toes during pregame conditioning and exercise drills. We also have the kids run onto and off the field this way between innings of a game. With this little bit running practice, most kids make the proper adjustment. For chronic ground huggers, lots of practice and encouragement are necessary.

A drill I use for younger kids, age 7-10, is called blind toss. The player stands in ready position a short distance (20-30 ft.) away with his back to the coach. The coach throws the ball into the air and shouts "Go" (or anything else you prefer). The player turns around and looks up to locate the ball. He then runs beneath it and makes the catch. The primary aim of the drill is help players develop confidence in their ability to quickly locate a ball and make adjustments to its flight.