Fielding Drill: Outfield Reads & Drops (Baseball & Softball)

Setup: - Outfielders line up in left, center, and right field positions - Coach positioned near home plate or pitcher's mound - Place cutoff cones at appropriate relay positions - Can use tennis balls for indoor or limited space 1. Drop Step Backward - Coach signals or tosses ball over outfielder's head - Player executes drop step back (turning and running) - First step determines success - must open hips quickly - Catch ball with two hands above head - Practice both left and right drop steps 2. Charge In - Coach hits or tosses short fly ball - Player charges forward aggressively - Must maintain control and field ball on the run - Two-hand catch, then immediate crow-hop to throw 3. Angles (Left and Right) - Coach hits balls at angles (gapper situations) - Player reads angle and takes proper route - Drop step at angle to cut off ball - Two-hand catch, crow-hop aligned to target 4. Throwing Mechanics - After every catch, execute proper crow-hop footwork - Throw should go through cutoff cone's head (relay position) - Accuracy more important than velocity - Build arm strength gradually - not a max-effort throwing drill

• First step wins or loses the rep - must be quick and correct
• Two hands high on every catch - no one-handed catches
• Crow-hop footwork should create momentum toward target
• Hit the cutoff head - throw where they can see and catch it
• Use proper angles - do not run in straight lines on gappers
• Communicate with other outfielders on every rep