High school
Outfield
All positions
Intermediate
Wide Receiver No-Look Outfield Drill
Outfielders practice full-speed sprints with head down then locate and catch a ball over the shoulder on the coach's 'ball' call without decelerating.
- Equipment:
- Ball only
- Duration:
- About 10 min
- Setting:
- Outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Player tosses ball to coach, sprints straight ahead with head down. Coach throws over the shoulder area and calls 'ball'. Player turns head, finds the ball, and completes the catch at full speed. Progress from early high-arc calls to later, more realistic throws.
Objectives
Build confidence and technique for balls hit over the head; eliminate slowing on head-turn; improve tracking while maintaining top speed.
Coaching cues
Keep pumping arms and full speed when turning the head; coach leads the throw; start easy with early call and high arc, progress to later call and farther throws; look over the correct shoulder.
Common errors
Slowing or stuttering when turning to look; looking too early; not pumping arms through the turn; decelerating into the catch.
Steps
- 1. Player stands beside coach and tosses ball to coach
- 2. Player sprints straight ahead with head down
- 3. Coach throws ball over shoulder area and yells 'ball'
- 4. Player turns head over appropriate shoulder, locates, and catches at full speed without slowing
Source:
Figure It Out Baseball / Queens University
