Infield Drill: Infield Square Drill (Baseball & Softball)
A footwork drill where the infielder holds a ball at the center of the chest and works clockwise around a square pattern. Trains proper posture, hip angle, and hand position while moving. Can be done at home with just a baseball.
How to Run This Drill
- Get a baseball (or any ball). Find a small open space - a driveway or backyard works fine.
- Set up in a fielding position with hands out front. Bring the ball to the center of your chest, like a quarterback taking a snap. This is your starting hand position throughout the drill.
- Visualize a square on the ground around you. You will work your feet clockwise around that square.
- Begin replacing your feet clockwise around the square, keeping the ball held tight to your chest the whole time. Do not let the hand or ball drift wide away from your body - keep it tight.
- At each corner of the square, get into a 45-degree body angle as you turn. This simulates the angled throwing position an infielder needs.
- Stay in posture throughout - do not stand upright or let your back flatten. Maintain your fielding posture as you move around the box.
- Work all the way around the box clockwise, then reverse and go counterclockwise.
- Focus on: keeping the ball tight to the chest, staying in posture, getting the 45-degree angle at each corner, and replacing feet quickly.
Coaching Points
- Keep the hand and ball tight to the body - do not let it drift wide. Hands that go wide are slow to throw.
- Stay in posture around the entire box. Do not pop upright as you move.
- Get a true 45-degree angle at each corner - this is the throwing position angle infielders need.
- The ball at the chest keeps hands honest. This drill directly trains the hand position that leads to quick, accurate throws.
- No field needed - just a ball and a small open space. Great at-home drill.
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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