Title
This drill trains outfielders on tracking pop flies and fielding ground balls using a cone square setup.
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 footwork for tracking fly balls and transitioning smoothly to field ground balls in motion.
Builds toward Tracking and catching fly balls from varied angles and depths, then quickly getting into position to field a ground ball cleanly under pressure.
What it is
Players start at one corner of a cone square. The coach throws two pop flies to different cones, which the player runs to track and catch. The player then runs towards the coach in the middle for an underhand toss, simulating a ground ball.
What it practices
This drill practices outfield footwork for tracking fly balls to different depths, develops hand-eye coordination for catching air balls, and trains the transition to fielding a ground ball after covering distance.
Focuses on improving
Targets improved outfield range, quick reactions to different ball types, and clean glove work for both fly balls and ground balls from various angles.
How to run it
Run 5-8 repetitions per player, ensuring each player starts from different cones.Setup
- 1Set up four cones in a square formation, approximately 15-20 feet apart, adjusting distance for player age.
- 2The coach stands in the middle of the square with a bucket of baseballs.
- 3The first player positions themselves at one of the corner cones, ready with their glove.
Run the drill
- 1Coach calls 'Go' and the player runs from their starting cone towards the next cone in the square.
- 2Coach throws a pop fly towards this second cone; the player tracks the ball and makes the catch.
- 3Player immediately runs towards the next cone in the square.
- 4Coach throws another pop fly towards this third cone; the player tracks and catches it.
- 5Player then runs directly towards the coach in the center of the square.
- 6Coach throws an underhand toss (ground ball) towards the player; the player fields it cleanly.
- 7Player returns the ball to the coach and rotates to the end of the line or to a new starting cone.
Coaching cues
- First step back!
- Run through the ball.
- Attack the ground ball.
- See the ball all the way in.
- Glove down early for grounders.
Common mistakes
- Not getting behind the fly ball, trying to catch it off to the side.
- Running around cones instead of directly to the ball's anticipated landing spot.
- Not setting feet and getting into an athletic fielding position before fielding the ground ball.
- Taking eyes off the ball too early, especially on ground balls.
Progressions
- Increase the size of the square to challenge outfield range and running endurance.
- Have the coach throw to random cones instead of following a set sequence.
- Require players to make an accurate throw back to the coach after catching each ball.
- Introduce line drives or harder ground balls after pop flies to simulate game-speed plays.
Coach notes
transcript
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"segments": [
{
"start": 0.0,
"end": 1.04,
"text": "This is just a square drill."
},
{
"start": 1.04,
"end": 3.12,
"text": "This is good if you have about three, five kids."
},
{
"start": 3.12,
"end": 4.08,
"text": "You're gonna run to that cone."
},
{
"start": 4.08,
"end": 4.96,
"text": "I'm gonna throw you a pop fly."
},
{
"start": 4.96,
"end": 5.8,
"text": "You're gonna drop it."
},
{
"start": 5.8,
"end": 6.62,
"text": "You're gonna run to this cone."
},
{
"start": 6.62,
"end": 7.46,
"text": "I'm gonna throw you a pop fly."
},
{
"start": 7.46,
"end": 8.64,
"text": "Then you're gonna come to me right here"
},
{
"start": 8.64,
"end": 10.16,
"text": "and I'm gonna give you one that's kind of underhand."
},
{
"start": 10.16,
"end": 11.8,
"text": "You're just gonna come in and grab it."
},
{
"start": 11.8,
"end": 12.64,
"text": "Ready, go."
},
{
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"end": 13.48,
"text": "\u266a I'm talkin' and rockin' and feelin' awful. \u266a"
},
{
"start": 13.48,
"end": 15.28,
"text": "\u266a Told the bitch bring the booty and make it wobble. \u266a"
},
{
"start": 15.28,
"end": 18.28,
"text": "\u266a And she like twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk. \u266a"
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