Title
Infielders run a cone-based circuit, fielding ground balls and throws from a coach at multiple angles and executing both forehand and backhand throws under movement.
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: Lateral agility, athletic fielding posture, and clean glove-to-throw exchanges on varied ground ball angles.
Builds toward Making routine and difficult plays to both sides of the body with quick, accurate throws to first base.
What it is
Players start at a cone, run a designated path around cones on the infield, receive a ground ball or throw from the coach, field it on the move, and throw it back to the coach. The drill includes both forehand and backhand fielding and throwing exchanges at different approach angles and cone placements to simulate game-like infield scenarios.
What it practices
Fielding-throwing transitions while moving laterally and at different angles. Backhand fielding and throwing mechanics on the run. Exchange footwork and accuracy under game-speed conditions.
Focuses on improving
Develops infielder confidence in fielding and throwing from various angles and positions on the diamond. Builds the glove-to-throw exchange and footwork patterns needed for quick, accurate relay throws during live play.
How to run it
Each player completes 2-3 full cycles (one glove-side, one backhand) before the next player goes.Setup
- 1Place 5-7 cones in a shallow semi-circle, spaced 5-8 feet apart, on the dirt infield.
- 2Players line up 10-15 feet behind the coach, who stands facing the cone arc.
- 3Coach positions themselves 10-15 feet in front of the cone arc, with a bucket of baseballs.
Run the drill
- 1Coach calls 'Go' and rolls a ground ball to the first cone on the player's glove side.
- 2Player sprints to the glove-side cone, works around it to get into fielding position, fields the ball, and throws to the coach's chest.
- 3Player immediately sprints to the next cone, works around it for a backhand ground ball.
- 4Player fields the backhand ball and throws to the coach's chest.
- 5Player returns to the line after completing both fielding and throwing actions.
Coaching cues
- Stay low through the ball.
- Work around the cone, don't stop on top of it.
- Clean transfer, quick hands.
- Target chest with the throw.
- Quick feet, move through the ball.
Common mistakes
- Stopping feet before fielding the ball, leading to stiff body position.
- Standing up too tall to field the ball instead of getting low.
- Poor glove presentation, not getting the glove flat to the ground.
- Rushing the throw, leading to inaccuracy or lack of arm strength.
- Not working around the cones, fielding flat-footed and off-balance.
Progressions
- Increase the distance between cones or the player's starting position from the cones.
- Roll hotter ground balls to challenge reaction time.
- Add a second base for the player to throw to after fielding, requiring longer, more accurate throws.
- Require a specific type of throw (e.g., crow hop, shuffle, barehand) after fielding.
Coach notes
transcript
{
"backend": "openai",
"segments": [
{
"start": 0.0,
"end": 2.04,
"text": "I'm gonna say go, you're gonna run here,"
},
{
"start": 2.04,
"end": 4.12,
"text": "around here, left side, get it?"
},
{
"start": 4.12,
"end": 5.84,
"text": "I'm gonna throw it to him, then we're gonna run back,"
},
{
"start": 5.84,
"end": 8.08,
"text": "around that same area, I'm gonna go backhand,"
},
{
"start": 8.08,
"end": 10.4,
"text": "and I'm gonna throw it to Coach again, you understand?"
},
{
"start": 10.4,
"end": 11.38,
"text": "Have fun with this."
},
{
"start": 12.72,
"end": 14.32,
"text": "Good, Jerry, go."
},
{
"start": 14.32,
"end": 16.22,
"text": "Good backhands, good buddy."
}
]
}