Infield Drill: 1st Base Receiving (Baseball & Softball)

Fundamental drill for teaching first basemen proper receiving technique, footwork, and stretching mechanics for all types of throws.

1st Base Receiving - Video Demonstration

How to Run This Drill

  1. Players is on 1st base, with throwing side foot on the bag facing the coach
  2. Coach is in the 2nd baseman position with a bucket of baseballs
  3. Coach throws baseballs to the 1st baseman
  4. 1 st baseman should wait until the ball is thrown to stride towards the ball with the glove foot and catch the ball with their throwing side foot still on the bag
  5. 1 st baseman places balls off the side and gets ready to receive another throw
  6. Coach throws the 1st baseman balls until they have had 10 repetitions (players may rotate if more than one 1st baseman)
  7. This can also be done with the coach throwing from different positions

Coaching Points

  • Start in athletic position, foot on bag
  • Wait for the throw before stretching
  • Glove foot strides toward the throw
  • Keep throwing-side foot on the bag
  • Catch the ball first - don't stretch early
  • Practice receiving from all infield positions

Quick Actions

At a Glance

Categories
Infield
Focus Areas
1st Base
Age Groups
11-1213-1415-1617-1818+9-107-8
Players
1-5 players
Difficulty
beginner
Equipment Needed
  • bases
  • baseballs or softballs

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