Softball · Fly balls

First fly balls with a tennis ball

A coach tosses high, soft tennis balls; young fielders call for it, move under it and catch it with two hands above the head, first bare-handed, then with a glove.

Mine!COA1A2A3
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
2–10
Age
U6+
Area
20 × 20 m
Equipment
12 tennis balls10 gloves1 bucket4 cones

Setup

  1. Coach stands with a bucket of tennis balls. One fielder waits about 6–8 m away, facing the coach, in a ready position.
  2. The other players wait in a line to one side of the coach, well out of the catching area.
  3. Start bare-handed: a tennis ball doesn't hurt, so players learn to watch it all the way down.
  4. Only one fielder in the catching area at a time. With a big group, run two stations far enough apart that no ball lands near the other.

How it runs

  1. The coach tosses the ball high and soft, underhand, a step or two from the fielder.
  2. The fielder calls “Mine!” loudly, moves the feet to get under the ball, and catches it with two hands above the forehead.
  3. The fielder tosses or rolls the ball back to the coach and jogs to the back of the line. The next player goes out.
  4. After two rounds bare-handed, put the gloves on and go again.
  5. Then toss a little further to the sides, in front and (for older or confident players) a step behind.

Coaching points

  • Ready position: feet apart, knees soft, hands up, eyes on the coach's hand.
  • Call “Mine!” early and loudly, before moving.
  • Run to where the ball will land; don't drift slowly underneath it.
  • Catch it above the forehead and a little to the throwing-arm side, thumbs together.
  • Two hands: the throwing hand covers the ball in the glove.
  • Watch the ball into the hands or glove.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting on the spot, then lunging at the last moment.
  • Hands held down by the waist until the ball is almost there.
  • Glove held flat like a basket, so the ball bounces out or hits the face.
  • Running backwards with the eyes off the ball.
  • Not calling, or calling only after the catch.

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

Make it harder

  • Toss higher and further away so the fielder has to sprint.
  • Two fielders out: the coach calls a name and only that player catches, the other backs up.
  • Use a softer softball (RIF) once the tennis ball catches are clean.

Make it easier

  • Lower tosses, straight at the fielder.
  • Bounce the ball once first, then catch it on the rise.
  • Use a larger, softer ball.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.

First fly balls with a tennis ball · Softball drill | Sportdify