Baseball · Ground balls

Short-hop picks

Partners throw short hops at each other from close range so infielders learn to attack the bounce, field it out front and give with soft hands.

A1A2B1B2
Start / 4
Time
12 min
Players
2–16
Age
U10+
Area
Infield or grass
Equipment
8 baseballs16 gloves8 cones

Setup

  1. Pair players up and set each pair about 5 m apart on two lines of cones. Leave at least 5 m between pairs, side to side.
  2. All pairs throw in the same direction, so no one has a ball coming from behind.
  3. Start on the knees for the first round, then progress to a low, wide fielding stance.
  4. Use reduced-injury balls for players who are new to fielding hops.

How it runs

  1. One partner throws the ball firmly into the ground about half a metre in front of the other partner's glove, so it arrives as a short hop.
  2. The fielder reaches out, catches the ball right after the bounce, and brings it back to the belly.
  3. Throw 10 to the forehand (glove side), 10 straight on, then 10 to the backhand. Then swap roles.
  4. Round 2: fielders stand in a low ready position and take the same 30 hops, moving the feet before the glove.
  5. Round 3: the thrower mixes the side at random, and the fielder must read it.

Coaching points

  • Glove out in front of the eyes, open to the ball, fingers pointing down.
  • Attack the short hop: take the ball just after it bounces, never on the way up at chest height.
  • Soft hands: let the glove give a little towards the body as the ball arrives.
  • Keep the head down and still. Watch the ball into the glove.
  • On the backhand, turn the glove over and catch it beside the front foot, not behind the body.

Common mistakes

  • Pulling the head and eyes up before the ball is in the glove.
  • Stabbing at the ball with a stiff wrist, so it bounces out.
  • Glove starting high and coming down late, so the ball goes under it.
  • Throwers bouncing the ball too far away, giving long hops instead of short hops.

Say it: “Glove out, catch the bounce, soft hands.”

Make it harder

  • Throw harder from 6–7 m, or mix in in-between hops.
  • Fielder starts with eyes closed and opens them on the thrower's call.
  • Finish each pick with a quick transfer to the throwing hand.

Make it easier

  • Stay on the knees and use softer balls.
  • Roll the ball first, then progress to soft, slow bounces.
  • Take every ball straight on before adding the forehand and backhand.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.