Title
Outfielder practices the initial drop step and creep movement by using a fungo bat placed at toe level as a checkpoint for proper footwork.
Compilation
If this video stacks several distinct drills back-to-back, split it into individual, draggable drills — each with its own clip, steps, and tags.
Coach's take
Great for building: Outfield drop step mechanics, first-step quickness, and proper body turn to gain immediate ground on fly balls.
Builds toward Effectively covering gaps and tracking fly balls hit over the head or to the sides, allowing for plays on balls that might otherwise be extra-base hits.
What it is
An outfielder stands with a fungo bat placed on the ground at the starting position, aligned with the toes. The player practices the drop step, moving backward with proper footwork. If the drop step is executed poorly (stepping forward instead of back), the player will contact the fungo. Proper execution keeps the player in a strong athletic position while moving backward to track a fly ball.
What it practices
Drop-step footwork and backward movement mechanics. Creep step positioning to maintain balance and athletic ready position while transitioning to track a fly ball.
Focuses on improving
Targets outfielders who fail to execute the initial drop step properly, leading to poor routes to fly balls and breaking stride. Develops the foundational footwork needed to get a good jump on balls hit in the air.
How to run it
Perform 5-8 repetitions in each direction (left, right, straight back) per player.Setup
- 1Place a fungo bat on the ground directly in front of the player's toes.
- 2Player stands in an athletic ready position, glove side forward, weight balanced, with hands ready.
Run the drill
- 1Coach calls out a direction: 'Left', 'Right', or 'Back'.
- 2Player executes a drop step, turning their hips and shoulders to immediately accelerate in the called direction, ensuring they do not step on or over the fungo bat.
- 3Player sprints 10-15 feet in that direction.
- 4Player decelerates and returns to the starting position in front of the fungo bat.
Coaching cues
- "Drop step, don't creep forward!"
- "Turn and run!"
- "Stay low, explode out!"
- "Quick first step!"
Common mistakes
- Stepping forward onto the fungo bat instead of initiating with a drop step backward or to the side.
- Crossing feet or shuffling sideways instead of turning hips and running.
- Standing too upright, losing athletic posture during the initial movement.
Progressions
- Remove the fungo bat once players master the drop step without stepping forward.
- Have a coach toss or hit a ball for the player to track and catch after the initial movement.
- Increase the distance the player has to sprint after the drop step.
Coach notes
transcript
[00:01] This is a drill to get you better at outfield. This is the drop step drill. [00:03] outfield. This is the drop step drill. The fung up right at the beginning of [00:05] The fung up right at the beginning of our toes. So if we do a bad drop step [00:08] our toes. So if we do a bad drop step and we come forward, we're going to step [00:10] and we come forward, we're going to step on that fungo. We're going to step over [00:11] on that fungo. We're going to step over the funo. We want to do our creep step. [00:14] the funo. We want to do our creep step. Nice strong position.