Fun Drill: Football Frenzy Fielding Game (Baseball & Softball)
Coach rolls a football (or dodgeball) instead of a baseball to create unpredictable bounces. Players must react, move their feet, and field the ball despite the crazy hops. Teaches players to move to the ball instead of waiting for it to come to them.
How to Run This Drill
- Line players up in a fielding line about 30 feet from the coach
- The coach rolls a football or dodgeball toward the first player in line
- The ball will bounce unpredictably. The player must move their feet to get in front of it and field it cleanly
- After fielding, the player throws to a target (first base or a bucket) and goes to the back of the line
- Award a point for each clean field-and-throw. Deduct a point for letting the ball get past
- Play to 10 points. The first player to 10 wins
- For younger players, use a dodgeball which is softer and still bounces unpredictably
- For older players, add a time pressure: must field and throw within 3 seconds
Coaching Points
- The football teaches a lesson that is hard to learn with a baseball: you MUST move your feet because the ball will not come to you
- Young players instinctively stand still and reach for bad hops. The football breaks that habit because every hop is bad
- This drill gets huge laughs and high energy. Use it when practice feels flat and players need a reset
- After the football round, switch to a real baseball and players will notice how much easier the normal hops feel
- A dodgeball or soccer ball works if you do not have a football. Any ball with unpredictable bounce works
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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