Backhand and forehand ground balls

Setup

1. One fielder at shortstop with the others in a line behind. A first baseman stands on the bag.
2. Put a cone about 4 m to each side of the shortstop: one toward third (backhand side) and one toward second (forehand side).
3. The coach stands about 15 m in front with a bucket and a feeder. Left-handed fielders have the sides swapped, so tell them which side is which.

How it runs

1. The coach rolls the first ball toward the backhand cone. The fielder crosses over, fields it on the backhand, plants and throws to first.
2. The fielder recovers to the start spot. The next ball goes toward the forehand cone.
3. The fielder shuffles or crosses over, fields it on the glove side and throws to first.
4. Alternate sides for six balls, then the next fielder steps in.
5. The first baseman returns each ball to the feeder. Rotate the first baseman every round.

Coaching points

• First step is a crossover toward the ball, not a side shuffle, when the ball is more than a step away.
• Backhand: glove open and low, out in front of the front foot. Watch the ball into the glove.
• Forehand: glove reaches out and down, fingers to the ground, and the body stays low through the catch.
• After a backhand, plant the right foot (left for a left-hander) hard to stop, then throw over the top.
• Get the feet under you before the throw. A good catch and a rushed throw is still an error.

Common mistakes

• Turning the glove over too early, so the ball bounces off the back of it.
• Standing up on the run and letting the ball go under the glove.
• Throwing off the back foot after a backhand without planting.
• Drifting sideways away from first base instead of attacking the angle.