: Skills & Drills: Defense

Catching Fly Balls
Before catching the fly balls, the player must first get to the ball. Have the players follow these guidelines:

1. Assume the ‘ready’ position.
   
2. As soon as the ball heads their direction, they should sprint to where they think the ball will come down while keeping their eyes on the ball with quick glances at the position of other players. The glove should be down in a typical running fashion. For balls hit over their head, it is especially important to get back quickly since they can adjust forward much quicker than backwards
   
3. Yell "Mine" at least twice and loudly while in motion. Continue making momentary glances around the field for other players approaching with better position to make the catch.
   
4. Use the feet to adjust and drift with the ball.

The glove should be extended over and in front of the head with the fingers parallel with the ground and the thumb pointed forward. This maximizes the amount of pocket exposed to the path of the ball. Keeping the glove over the head allows the player to follow the ball with their eyes all the way into the glove and serves to protect the face and head of inexperienced players. After the catch the player should quickly, turn, look, step and throw.

Catching Thrown Balls: Since they should not have to move far to get the ball, this should not be an issue, unless you coach T-Ball! The glove should be positioned in front of the body with the elbow bent whenever possible. To catch a ball that is above the shoulders, the fingers will generally point skyward, with the pocket facing the path of the ball. For balls between the waist and shoulder the glove fingers should be pointed with the thumb pointed skyward, unless the ball is coming directly into the chest of the player. In this case the glove is extended out in front of the player with the fingers pointed out in the direction of the throwing arm, with the thumb pointed down. For balls below the waist the glove fingers will be pointed down. After the catch the player should quickly, turn, look, step and throw.