Infield Drill: No Panic Drill (Baseball & Softball)
Trains infielders to stay calm and efficient when they bobble or drop a ball. Player drops the ball around their feet, picks it up bare-handed (not with the glove), sets their feet, and delivers quickly to the target. Can be done solo at home.
How to Run This Drill
- Fielder gets into a fielding position. No coach needed - the player can run this solo.
- Drop a baseball anywhere around your feet - in front, to the side, slightly behind. Vary the location each rep to simulate different bobble situations.
- Quickly pick the ball up with your bare hand. Do NOT use the glove to pick it up - transferring from glove to hand takes too long in a game situation.
- As you pick up the ball, simultaneously set your feet into a throwing position. Do not just grab and chuck - get organized fast.
- Once your feet are set and the ball is in the bare hand, deliver quickly to your target.
- The key is: no panic, no rushing, no wild throws. Stay calm, pick it up cleanly with the bare hand, set the feet, and make an accurate throw.
- A coach can also drop balls in various spots around the fielder to add unpredictability. Mix in drops to the left, right, and directly in front.
- Progress to game-speed effort on the pickup and delivery once the mechanics feel clean.
Coaching Points
- Always pick up with the bare hand - using the glove to pick up a dropped ball and then transferring is too slow.
- No panic means controlled urgency. Fast, but not frantic. Set the feet before throwing.
- This drill is about what happens after the error, not the error itself. A quick, accurate recovery throw can still get the out.
- Players can do this completely solo at home by dropping the ball themselves. Great individual training.
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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