Fly balls and running routes
Ready when: Ground balls (i1) started.
What you are learning
Catching a high ball: track it, get there fast and catch it with two hands above the head. To go back, turn and run instead of stepping backwards. In a team, the player catching calls loudly so two players do not crash into each other.
Words on this card Fielder, Glove, Fly ball, Crossover step, Drop step
- Fielder
- A player on the team in the field, trying to get batters and runners out.
- Glove
- The padded leather glove fielders catch with.
- Fly ball
- A hit that goes high in the air.
- Crossover step
- To run sideways fast, one foot crosses over the other.
- Drop step
- To run back, one foot steps back and the body turns to run at an angle.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Ready, watching the thrower.
- Ball to your side: cross one foot over the other and run (the crossover step).
- Ball behind you: step back with one foot, turn and run back at an angle, looking over your shoulder (the drop step).
- Call "Mine!", get under it and catch with two hands above your head.
Your part while they practise
Throw high and to either side. Call the direction.
Step by step
- You throw high: left, right, in front or behind.
- The fielder tracks the ball and sprints to it.
- Crossover step to the side, drop step to go back.
- Call "Mine!" and catch with two hands.
How much: 10 throws in each of four directions 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Calling catches
Fielders call "Mine!" and catch high balls; every catch needs a call.
Who plays: 2 or 3: one thrower and one or two fielders.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The thrower throws high balls in any direction
- A fielder calls "Mine!" loudly before catching
- 10 throws, then the player with the most catches becomes the thrower
- Fair play
- A grown-up fielder starts 3 m farther away.
- Points
- 1 point for each two-handed catch made after calling "Mine!".
- Fouls
- No point
- No call before the catch
- A one-handed catch
- Two fielders going for the same ball (no point for either)
- Winning
- The most catches after 10 throws.
- 4 catches for 1 star
- 6 catches for 2 stars
- 8 catches for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Shorter throws.
Add a throw to a target after the catch.
What you will see, and what to say
- the child backpedals and falls
Turn and run
Turn sideways and run; never step backwards fast. - they catch with one hand
Two hands, ball above the head
Both hands up, the glove in front of the face.
Self-check
5 of 8 balls caught in the four directions.
Stop and get a coach when
Collisions between players; set clear lanes, and the one catching calls while the other backs up.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains reading flight, footwork, calling.
awiseathlete.com/sports/baseball-softball/baseball-softball-i2