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Defensive Play: Drills That Lead to Consistent Defensive Execution

July 8, 2014

If you desire to become the best defensive player on your team, here are some drills you can do.  Over the years of training, playing, coaching, and now scouting, I have noticed that a player who creates a routine that includes the proper drills increases his opportunity for success. By practicing these drills, you will see an improvement to your level of execution defensively. 

Examples:

  • From a fielding position, have a partner roll balls or throw short-hops to you. This will allow you to work on fielding the ball, transferring the ball from glove to hand, and the footwork that leads to throwing.
  • During batting practice, work on reading balls off the bat.
    • Look for location of pitch and focus on how the batter’s hands travel to the ball (this is known as the “path to the ball”).
      • Learn the reaction of the ball off of the bat on various pitch location based on the batter’s path the ball. 
  • Work on developing a soft read step (similar to a tennis player receiving a server) or creep step, and an explosive first step (sets angle for quickest path to the ball).

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