Thread: 12U Outfielder Positioning?

What do you think of playing your 12U outfielders a few steps deep considering it's easier to run forward to catch a fly ball rather than running backwards? Outfielders can always move forward quickly to backup the infield, but judging balls going over their head is usually difficult at this age (from my experience). Another reason I think it might be advantageous is it gets their momentum moving forward so any long throws they need to make will be that much stronger.

I agree with Sluggers and would add that you have to incorporate long fly balls into your practices. In my experience most youth teams don't practice outfield skills enough.

For example, when you're hitting ground balls around the infield is your outfield just standing around waiting for the occasional ball to be hit to them? Why not have a coach or parent hitting them fly balls on thier own.

Here is a great article for developing outfielders with some drills you can use:

FastSports!

Thanks for the replies. Our team does spend regular practice time working outfield drills and the importance of the outfield is stressed. We work on relays, pop-ups, backing up, etc...

I guess the reason for asking is seldom does a fly ball come right to you, so is it better to be in a position where you can more easily keep your eyes on the ball while moving to it?

Note to cshilt: I have Judi Garmen's "Softball Skills & Drills" - it's a greate resource!

I agree with Sluggers 100%. FAR TOO MANY coaches position outfielders so deep so that they don't have to explain to parents why some kid jacked one against them.

The problem is that in 12U it is seldom the solo home run deep over an outfielders head that wins the game. Like Sluggers said the real momentum changers in games are the 5 bloops that second base can't go back for and they drop. Those things are usually what ends up killing teams.

My philosophy was generally nothing will drop in the grass. After a girl has burned me deep once, then I'll consider adjusting to handle her, and that "consideration" will involve evaluating the pitch execution to see if that was the problem first. If she's proven she can drive a high inside and low outside pitch deep (just examples meaning she owns whatever my pitcher throws), then we make an adjustment, for that player alone. Those adjustments we make in the dugout so the outfielders know who to backup for. The last thing in the world I want do when that girl comes up is say "Outfielders you need to back up." That is just pig latin for "Hey pitcher you suck. Hey batter you are awsome!" Because I take confidence away from my pitcher when she needs it most, and I hand confidence to a batter who is already on top of the world.

There are also game situations that might dictate adjustments, and those are dealt with as they occur.