Wide Receiver Drills for Outfielders

One of the toughest skills for young players to learn is catching fly balls while running.  The best way I found to teach to skill is taking a page from the game of football.

Position the players in two groups facing each other about 60 yards apart.  You will require two coaches.  One coach can throw to half the group (Group 1-on right field line facing centerfield).  The other coach takes the second group (Group 2- in centerfield facing right field).  Each player should have a ball.  The first player in Group 1 hands the ball to the coach and then begins to sprint.  The coach will throw the ball up and over the head of the ballplayer (like a wide receiver) and ask the player to catch it.  After catching the ball, they go to the end of the line for Group 2.  Group 2 should repeat the same drill and go to the end of the line for Group 1.  I like to perform this drill for 10-15 minutes.  You can pick up the pace in order to work in conditioning.

Coach's Point:
The drill yields several benefits.  First, the players learn how to catch the ball on the run.  Secondly, the players can condition their bodies without the monotony of routine running drills.  Third, it provides the players with exposure to different flight paths than it is using a fungo bat.  Make it competitive.

A trait shared by the good ballplayers is their ability to get a jump on the ball and running hard to the spot where the ball is likely to land.  Some think it is instinctive and inherent in the good players.  Others do not.  I think it is the result of repetition, hard work and desire.

Outfield Drill: Baseball in the Barrel

This is a great drill work on accuracy from the outfield.  A strong accurate throw will stop the opponent's running game and reduce the number of extra bases they will attempt to acquire from you.

Position all outfielders in a single line in right field.  Put a barrel on its side on third base and at home plate.  Make sure the openings of the barrel face the right outfielders.  Hit fly ball or grounders to each player and have them attempt to throw the ball into the barrel.  The ballplayers should try to pick out a target area where the ball should land before bouncing to the barrel.  Points are awarded for the ball ending up in or even around the barrel.

You can also incorporate a cut-out man from the infield.  Have the infielder take a relay from shallow outfield and make the throw into the barrels.  Move the layers to different locations in the outfield to keep the game interesting.

Coaches Point:

The main objective for this drill is to work on improved throwing accuracy, direction and trajectory.  Arm strengthening is another goal making the players more effective and confident with their throws.