Infielder Program Ideas

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Jul 16, 2018
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Hello, Just looking to fine tune a standard infielder program for my players. The thought process is to have a standard as to which they work on in practice so when it comes time to practice we tell them "We working on the infield today get to your stations"

Some of the basics that we've been walking through at practice has been as follows - With video clips to show in case you might call it something other.


The list itself I planned on always being Cyclic which (to me anyways) means that parts can be changed, taken out added, dropped etc depending on the skill level. But also reintroduced periodically to keep the fundamentals sharp.

Would love to see some samples of what teams are doing out there and get some ideas on where to go. Right now Im more focused on fielding "properly" and we do a variety of 4 square and ladder drills to work on proper footwork/getting around the ball. We havent gotten to base specific work (covering the base, etc) but Im also interested on seeing plans that incorporate that in there as well
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
The 'Line Drill' one looked terrible as he comes to a complete stop and then clicks the heals together on the throw. It's a recipe for disaster in fastpitch.

I would ditch all of the above and watch a Kobata DVD on defense. Start with the foundation. Teach them to step with the left and they will be set for life.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
The 'Line Drill' one looked terrible as he comes to a complete stop and then clicks the heals together on the throw. It's a recipe for disaster in fastpitch.

I would ditch all of the above and watch a Kobata DVD on defense. Start with the foundation. Teach them to step with the left and they will be set for life.

So softball infielders don't replace their feet (your click the heals the together) when they throw? Looks somebody needs to tell Mike Candrea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iwfk2ZiaQ

I didn't notice him coming to a complete stop but you are right that this is a killer for softball or baseball, always need to be working towards the base
you are throwing to as you field the ball.
 
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Jul 16, 2018
120
18
The 'Line Drill' one looked terrible as he comes to a complete stop and then clicks the heals together on the throw. It's a recipe for disaster in fastpitch.
.

I've been using it more as an intro to taking an angle to the ball and the clip is to just give you the idea of how it would look. Completely open to all ideas including DVD ha
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
So softball infielders don't replace their feet (your click the heals the together) when they throw? Looks somebody needs to tell Mike Candrea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iwfk2ZiaQ

I didn't notice him coming to a complete stop but you are right that this is a killer for softball or baseball, always need to be working towards the base
you are throwing to as you field the ball.

Thank you for this link. This is the end result Im wanting (well I mean within reason. Im not the coach for Team USA ha)
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
So softball infielders don't replace their feet (your click the heals the together) when they throw? Looks somebody needs to tell Mike Candrea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iwfk2ZiaQ

I do advocate heal to heal on short throws (2B to 1B) when time is of the essence but not for long throws. I find that clicking heals tends to misalign the hips and leads to a percentage of off line throws and not as much velocity.

I understand what Candrea teaches. Hell Purdue University used to have their fielders crossover their feet from behind (vs heal to heal or crossing over in front).

It makes little sense for me for long throws, OF, SS, 3B, etc. Those are just my observations from watching footwork during from every level of softball (Olympics, D1, mens fastpitch, etc.) and putting it into practice. It's a good question and ultimately it's a very small detail in that if you are crossing over in front or heal clicking you are already ahead of 99% of the fielding being taught and executed.

Just my thoughts.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
I do advocate heal to heal on short throws (2B to 1B) when time is of the essence but not for long throws. I find that clicking heals tends to misalign the hips and leads to a percentage of off line throws and not as much velocity.

I understand what Candrea teaches. Hell Purdue University used to have their fielders crossover their feet from behind (vs heal to heal or crossing over in front).

It makes little sense for me for long throws, OF, SS, 3B, etc. Those are just my observations from watching footwork during from every level of softball (Olympics, D1, mens fastpitch, etc.) and putting it into practice. It's a good question and ultimately it's a very small detail in that if you are crossing over in front or heal clicking you are already ahead of 99% of the fielding being taught and executed.

Just my thoughts.
Interesting.
I am not saying one should actually try to touch the feet together only that a thought process of right to left, left to target (for a right-handed thrower) . If a fielder is fielding the ball with the proper "rhythm", e.g. left foot coming down as the ball is fielded and then takes her right foot to her left foot as you are funneling the ball to the middle of your body and then take the left foot to target the alignment should be good. Main problem I see is that too many kids are fielding the ball flat footed. In that case replacing the feet can cause issues, I agree. Fielding a ball properly takes almost as much body awareness as hitting properly which is why if you look at most 10U/12U games the fielders' mechanics oftentimes looks "off", even though it seems like they are doing a lot correct (back flat, chest over the ball, etc). At that age most don't have the proper body awareness to get the footwork correct all of the time...which by the way drives me nuts when I am hitting my 8 year old fungoes :D
 
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