Baseball · Fly balls

Pop flies: call it and catch it

Pairs learn to catch high balls safely: one fielder calls it loudly and catches above the forehead with two hands, the other answers and backs them up.

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Start / 4
Time
15 min
Players
2–10
Age
U7+
Area
20 × 25 m
Equipment
10 soft baseballs (reduced-injury) or tennis balls10 gloves, one per player4 cones1 bucket

Setup

  1. Mark two cones 10–12 m apart for a pair of fielders. The coach stands 12–15 m in front of them with a bucket of soft balls.
  2. The next pair waits off to the side, well clear of where the balls land.
  3. Use tennis balls or the softest balls you have until the players catch high balls confidently.
  4. Teach the calls before the first toss: the fielder taking it shouts “Ball! Ball! Ball!” and the partner answers “You! You!”

How it runs

  1. The coach tosses a high underarm ball somewhere between the two fielders.
  2. The fielder who is sure of getting there calls “Ball! Ball! Ball!” as early as possible.
  3. The other fielder answers “You! You!”, peels away and runs to back up a few metres behind the fielder making the catch.
  4. The calling fielder gets under the ball, glove-side foot slightly forward, and catches above the forehead with two hands.
  5. The fielder throws the ball back to the coach, and the next pair steps in. Vary the toss so both players get to call it.

Coaching points

  • Call it early and loudly, three times. Once someone calls it, that player owns it.
  • If both call it, the coach's rule decides (e.g. the player moving forwards, or the one the coach names). Keep it simple.
  • Run to where the ball will land, then wait for it; don't drift under it with the glove up.
  • Glove up only at the last moment, catching above the forehead and in front.
  • Bare hand covers the ball straight away.
  • Backing-up partner stays a few metres behind, ready if it drops.

Common mistakes

  • Nobody calls it and the ball drops between two fielders.
  • Both players run at it with eyes up: risk of a collision.
  • Catching at the belly with the glove facing down.
  • Running with the glove held up, which slows the player down.
  • Backing away from the ball and letting it fall in front.

Say it: “Call it, get under it, two hands up.”

Make it harder

  • Toss higher, or use a tennis racquet to hit balls higher.
  • Toss to the side so one fielder has to move further to call it.
  • Add a third fielder; the coach names the priority (e.g. the centre fielder has it).

Make it easier

  • Lower tosses straight to one fielder; add the partner once catches are steady.
  • Use a bigger, softer ball and catch it with two bare hands.
  • Start with self-tosses: throw it up, call it, catch it.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.