Fun Drill: Chicken Drill (Baseball & Softball)
A confidence-building fly ball drill for young players who are afraid of the ball. Players wear batting helmets and catch a tossed tennis ball with their head instead of their glove, teaching them to track the ball and get under it without any fear.
How to Run This Drill
- Every player puts on a batting helmet. A face guard helmet is ideal — it lets players catch the ball right on the face guard, which is easier and safer. Without a face guard, players aim to have the ball bounce off the top of the helmet.
- Coach has a bucket of tennis balls. Players spread out with enough space between them.
- Coach tosses a tennis ball up in the air toward a player — not at them, but up so it comes down from above, like a fly ball.
- The player tracks the ball and moves their feet to get directly underneath it. This is the key skill: reading the ball in the air and positioning under it, just like catching a fly ball.
- For face guard helmets: the goal is to catch the ball so it lands right on the face guard, in the center of the helmet at forehead level. Two points if it hits the face guard.
- For helmets without a face guard: the goal is to get positioned so the ball bounces cleanly off the top of the helmet. One point if it hits the helmet anywhere.
- To encourage fun, have players make chicken sounds before the ball lands
- After players get comfortable, increase the height of the toss to give them more time to practice tracking and moving their feet.
Coaching Points
- The whole point is that it takes away the fear. Tennis balls do not hurt, and helmets protect them — so kids can focus on moving their feet instead of flinching.
- If you can catch it with your head, you can catch it with a glove. This drill proves to kids they know how to track a fly ball.
- Watch the feet. Players who do not move and just reach up are missing the lesson. Make sure they are moving to get under the ball.
- Face guard helmets are strongly preferred — the face guard creates a clear target and makes it easier to score.
- Keep it fun and light. This is a confidence drill and a break from regular work. Let kids laugh. That is the point.
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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