Pop Fly and Fly Ball Coverage
From the book Coaching Baseball Skills & Drills by Bragg Stockton
Excerpt from Ch. 9, pg. 145
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The best method for insuring maximum coverage for all types of fly balls is to establish policies for catching them.
In general, the center fielder has the right-of-way over the other fielders. All outfielders have the right-of-way over all infielders since they have a better angle on the ball.
The first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop have the right-of-way over the pitcher and catcher.
The second baseman should play balls hit behind first base into shallow right field, and the shortstop should play balls hit behind third base into shallow left field. They are in the best position to catch such pop flies on their side of the field and should make every effort to do so.
The first or third baseman should field high pop flies hit near the pitcher's mound and first and third base dugouts.
Infielders should do everything possible to take the responsibility of catching pop flies off the pitcher and the catcher, and should call them off pop flies whenever possible.
All players should pursue a fly ball until they hear someone with the right-of-way call them off.
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Coaching Baseball Skills & Drills by Bragg Stockton
An Entire Coaching System for Youth Baseball
Coaches who work with younger teams are coaching athletes at the single most critical juncture of their athletic careers. Yet literature addressing younger players' concerns and problems is almost nonexistent
This great skill development book by Bragg Stockton is for anybody involved in baseball. You'll learn in-depth aspects of hitting, pitching, defense, and planning, and the book features baseball-oriented conditioning drills and a team practice chart.
264 pages, includes over 600 illustrations & 85 drills.
Only $24.95 |
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How to Avoid a Late Swing
By Jon Hoelter of goodswing.com
Swinging late is often a problem with young players.
One reason involves the hitter not knowing where he is supposed to make contact with the ball. Many want to make contact over the plate instead of in front of it. Carrying the ball to the plate and having the hitter swing, slowly indicating where they want the bat to make contact with the ball, is a good way to show them to hit the ball out in front.
Also, hitters should be taught that the point of contact needs to be further out in front of the plate when the ball is pitched inside and closer to the plate when the ball is pitched outside.
Players also need to understand that they must swing at a smaller ball against a fast pitcher. They have to make the decision to swing a bit earlier and fire the hands at the ball when it is further from the plate than they are used to (the ball looks smaller further away from the plate).
The most important thing for good timing, however, is to teach hitters to make adjustments with their stride foot. If they are swinging late, they need to lift the front foot and begin the stride earlier. If they are swinging early, they need to lift the front foot and begin the stride later.
Coach JP Tip
The key to practicing hitting is quality repetitions. Practice makes perfect only if you are using the proper mechanics. For every incorrect or lazy swing that you take, you'll need three more to correct the errant muscle memory. Hitting instructors have noted that it takes between 3,000 and 5,000 repetitions to ingrain the muscle memory needed to hit a baseball. Even great professional hitters are renowned for their work off the tee, in the cage, or with rounds of soft toss.
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