Infield Drill: 1st Base Inside Receiving (Baseball & Softball)
Teach first basemen proper footwork and positioning for receiving inside throws (coming from close to the first baseline) during bunt plays or infield plays from the pitcher or catcher.
How to Run This Drill
- Players are in fielding position at 1st base, pitcher on the mound. You can include a catcher as well. (one player at a time at each position)
- Coach is at home plate with a bucket of baseballs (bat is useful but not necessary)
- Pitcher goes through a dry rep (without ball) pitching motion
- Coach bunts the ball in front of home plate or down the 1st base line, pitcher fields the bunt and throws it to 1st base
- 1 st baseman sets up to receive the throw with their left foot on the bag and chest squared to the thrower. They should try to be a big target for the pitcher to throw to.
- 1st baseman should move to adjust to the throw, if the throw is on the other side of the base, the 1 st baseman should shuffle across the bag so that their right foot is on the bag and they are squared up to the pitcher
- Focus on the 1st baseman making a big target with their body for the pitcher, keeping their left foot on the bag
- 1 st baseman catches throw from the pitcher and places the ball off to the side, players all get reset in their positions
- Coach bunts to the pitchers until they have had 5 repetitions (players may rotate)
Coaching Points
- Start with left foot on inside edge of bag
- Give a big target - chest squared to the thrower
- Stretch toward the throw AFTER it's released
- If throw is to the other side, shuffle across and switch feet
- Keep one foot on the bag at all times
- Catch the ball first, record the out second
- If catcher is involved, use as oppportunity to work communication between catcher and pitcher on who is fielding the bunt. Catcher gets priority
Quick Actions
At a Glance
- baseballs
- bases
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