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Outfield Drill: Bucket Catch (Baseball & Softball)

Fun catching drill using a bucket instead of a glove. Builds hand-eye coordination and tracking skills for beginners who find gloves intimidating.

How to Run This Drill

  1. Set up players in a line, each with a bucket or small container.
  2. Coach or partner stands 10-15 feet away and tosses balls underhand toward the player.
  3. Player tracks the ball with their eyes and positions the bucket underneath to catch it.
  4. Start with easy tosses directly at the player to build confidence.
  5. Progress to tosses requiring lateral movement as players improve.
  6. After each catch, player returns the ball and goes to the back of the line.

Coaching Points

  • Track the ball with your eyes all the way into the bucket
  • Move your feet to get in position - do not just reach
  • Great confidence builder before transitioning to gloves
  • Make it competitive by counting successful catches
  • Use tennis balls or soft balls for safety

At a Glance

Categories
OutfieldFun Games
Focus Areas
Situational
Age Groups
4-67-89-10
Players
1-6 players
Difficulty
beginner
Equipment Needed
  • baseballs or softballs

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