Infield play is very reactionary. We react to the ball hit and need to quickly identify what direction we need to break on the ball and the depth in which we need to move. In previous posts I’ve discussed the importance of a prep step in that reaction to the ball. You can read more … More Flow Step: Next Level Prep Step
Picking a runner off base can be demoralizing to the offense. It can drastically swing the momentum from the offense to the defense. A well run pickoff attempt comes from synergy between the pitcher, or catcher, and the infielder. These are one of the best examples of teamwork on the field whether it’s a called … More The Art of a Successful Pickoff
Communication is the key to any relationship. Clear communication prevents some conflict, builds trust, provides direction, and ensures clarity. This applies to your relationships on the field. It’s imperative for teammates to communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally before, during, and after each pitch. From an infielder’s perspective, there are more obvious ways we communicate than … More On Field Communication Intricacies
I’m a physical education teacher and my school system is transitioning to hybrid learning for students. The last week or so we’ve been preparing for that transition and it’s been filled with frustration, confusion, and stress stemming from logistical and technology issues. I’ve had to constantly remind myself to take it one learning activity at … More Playing One Pitch At A Time
I’ve just started reading ABC’s of Excellence by Jack Leggett. It’s a collection of common characteristics, traits, lessons learned, sayings, and experiences that aim to help develop the reader as a leader. Of course with his 38 years of coaching baseball he’s able to put together quite the list of references to each letter of … More ABC’s of Infield Play
Not every practice is the same from day to day, but for the most part every practice will have the same basic structure. At some point during practice you’ll warm up, do some kind of position specific defense, team defense, baserunning, and hit batting practice. Now every practice might not be in that order or … More An Infielder’s Guide to Maximizing Team Practice
In past posts I’ve discussed using varying arm slots and how to maximize your warm up throwing. The purpose of this post is to dive into throwing on the run and specifically a drill progression for learning or refining your throws on the run. In a perfect world we’d get a perfect hop on a … More Drill Progression: Throwing on the Run
“Get outside of the ball.” It’s a teaching cue that is used in just about every level of baseball. On face value it’s not a hard concept to understand, but it’s so much more than what it seems. Let’s breakdown the what, why and how of getting outside of the ball. What does get outside … More The What? Why? How? of Getting Outside the Ball
Make the routine plays and let the great ones happen is more than a quote. It’s a philosophy and back bone for training infielders. As we prepare for infield play it has to be our priority to make the plays we’re suppose to make and any of the great plays we get in the flow … More Training & Philosophy: “Make the Routine Plays & Let the Great Ones Happen”
This time of year is known for its resolutions. With those resolutions often comes new routines. Routines allow your resolution to become your new normal so they’re a consistent part of your life. The same can be said for your routines on the baseball field. As an infielder, having a hands routine and completing your … More Hands Routine
Defend the Diamond 