All too often I see kids standing around or sitting in the dug out before the game.  As a coach especially with 14 year old kids or younger you really have to keep them moving and keep them into the game.  Even better would be doing all of this and helping them learn.

The following drill allows two kids to work at once, they work on going back on the ball reading it and coming back in. Also, they should call the ball and catch it with two hands.

The coach stands on the foul line with two baseballs (in the same hand).  Have two players stand in front of you facing you.  Give a verbal cue and the kids break backwards.  The open up either way and go back like they are going to run down a fly ball, you throw both balls at one time (they will go separate ways) if the ball goes over their head they continue after it call it and make the catch.  If you throw the ball so it comes up short they plants call the ball and make the catch.  I like to use this particular drill to throw the ball short and get kids used to planting and getting under the ball.  Sometimes as an fielder you have to adjust and move your body because your first read was wrong.  This drill will help kids adjust and learn to control their body.

Try it and tell me what you think.  There are variations of this drill but this is one I like.

I will be posting another pre game drill today that will help keep your infielders moving and will allow the coach to hit fly balls to the outfielders.