Catching the Ball
Players will need to learn to catch a thrown ball, a fly ball, and a ground ball. Younger or inexperienced players will tend to be afraid of the ball, which usually results in a missed ball or a bonk on the head, chest, etc. For these players, the use of safety balls will help them gain confidence in their catching abilities without risk of injury. This can be a major hurdle for many players and seeing them conquer this fear will be a satisfying accomplishment for you and the player.

Every player, with the exception of the catcher, should follow these guidelines for effective catching.

1.     Keep your eyes on the ball.

2.     Always be in a ready position when the ball is batted or thrown.

3.     Think. What am I going to do if the ball comes to me?

4.     Concentrate on getting to the ball first, then make the catch.

5.     Keep the arms relaxed and both hands ready.

6.     Keep the elbows flexed to help absorb the impact of the ball.

7.     Watch the ball all the way into the glove

8.     Use both hands. Players should use the throwing hand to help ‘cage’ the ball in the glove, and then to get the ball out of the glove quickly for the throw.

Be Ready: The ready position serves to get the player in position to move quickly to get to the ball. It is also should serve as a moment to think about the upcoming batter and play the "If the ball comes to me, I am going to . . . " drill in their head.

• The feet should be slightly wider than the shoulders.
• Knees should be bent.
• The player should be bent at the waist to move their weight over the balls of their feet.
• The arms are between or on the knees.

Catching Fly Balls
Before catching the fly balls, the player must first get to the ball. Have the players follow these guidelines:

1.     Assume the ‘ready’ position.

2.     As soon as the ball heads their direction, they should sprint to where they think the ball will come down while keeping their eyes on the ball with quick glances at the position of other players. The glove should be down in a typical running fashion. For balls hit over their head, it is especially important to get back quickly since they can adjust forward much quicker than backwards

3.     Yell "Mine" at least twice and loudly while in motion. Continue making momentary glances around the field for other players approaching with better position to make the catch.

4.     Use the feet to adjust and drift with the ball.

The glove should be extended over and in front of the head with the fingers parallel with the ground and the thumb pointed forward. This maximizes the amount

Catching Grounders: [Fielding]
The key to proper fielding is to keep the player square to the ball as it approaches. Note: This can be difficult for younger players to grasp so you will have to demonstrate the concept repeatedly. This maximizes the pocket area open to the ball and should the ball be difficult to handle, they will at the very least be able to stop the ball. Here are the key steps to proper fielding:

1.     Assume the ‘ready’ position.

2.     Get to the ball. The player should lead with the glove, always keeping the glove the nearest thing to the ball. Infielders may not have the opportunity the get in front of the ball, but instead will have to judge the speed and bounces of the ball to field it on the run.

3.     Once in position, resume the ready position with these changes. The glove foot should be in front with the glove open wide and on the ground. This allows the player to transfer to the ‘turn, look…’ throwing method quickly.

4.     As the ball approaches, extend the glove in front of the body towards the ball. Should the player mishandle the ball, this will allow them to possibly have a second opportunity.

5.     Keep the glove low, especially on erratically bouncing balls. Teach players to always err on the low side since they can bring the glove up to field a ball much quicker than they can move it down.

6.     Watch the ball all the way into the glove.

7.     Use both hands. Players should use the throwing hand to help ‘cage’ the ball in the glove, and then to get the ball out of the glove quickly for the throw.

8.     Turn, Look, Step and Throw

of pocket exposed to the path of the ball. Keeping the glove over the head allows the player to follow the ball with their eyes all the way into the glove and serves to protect the face and head of inexperienced players. After the catch the player should quickly, turn, look, step and throw.

Catching Thrown Balls: Since they should not have to move far to get the ball, this should not be an issue, unless you coach T-Ball! The glove should be positioned in front of the body with the elbow bent whenever possible. To catch a ball that is above the shoulders, the fingers will generally point skyward, with the pocket facing the path of the ball. For balls between the waist and shoulder the glove fingers should be pointed with the thumb pointed skyward, unless the ball is coming directly into the chest of the player. In this case the glove is extended out in front of the player with the fingers pointed out in the direction of the throwing arm, with the thumb pointed down. For balls below the waist the glove fingers will be pointed down. After the catch the player should quickly, turn, look, step and throw.