Infield glove work and quick transfers

Setup

1. Infielders line up behind the shortstop and second-base positions. A first baser stands on the bag; rotate everyone through first.
2. The coach hits or rolls ground balls from beside home plate, with a bucket of balls. A helper beside first collects throws into the second bucket.
3. Everyone completes an arm warm-up before any full throws to first.
4. Only one ball is live at a time. The next fielder waits until the throw to first is caught.

How it runs

1. The coach hits a routine ground ball to the shortstop.
2. The shortstop moves through the ball, fields it out in front, and brings glove and throwing hand together at the belly.
3. The shortstop takes a four-seam grip in the transfer, steps towards first and throws to the first baser's chest.
4. The coach then hits to the second baser, who does the same with a shorter throw. Alternate sides.
5. After 6–8 balls each, add balls to the glove side and the backhand, then finish with slow rollers that must be charged.

Coaching points

• Feet first, glove second: get the body in line with the ball before reaching.
• Field the ball out in front of the eyes, with the glove open and low.
• Quick transfer: glove and throwing hand meet in the middle of the body; the throwing hand finds the seams while the feet move.
• Shuffle the feet towards first and throw through the target. No lazy, flat-footed arm throws.
• First baser: show a target with both hands, then stretch to the throw only once its direction is known.

Common mistakes

• Reaching for the ball with the glove while the feet stay still.
• Taking the ball out of the glove before it is caught.
• Slapping the glove shut and digging for the ball, so the throw is late.
• Throwing without a grip across the seams, so the ball tails away from first.
• First baser leaving the bag early to stretch.