Magram Softball: Fielding Ground Balls

Introduction

• Instructor: Megan Remblack
• Focus: Drills for proper footwork when fielding a ground ball
• Target Audience: Beginners learning footwork and body positioning

Basic Ground Ball Fielding Technique

• Footwork (Righty example):
  • Approach: Right-left-field
  • Throw: Right-left-throw
• Body Positioning:
  • Glove: Pocket open, fingertips down, palm open
  • Chest: Down
  • Back: Flat
  • Throwing Hand: Next to glove for quick transfer

Drill 1: Cone Zigzag Drill

• Setup:
  • Use 5 cones (or more)
  • Stationary ball at each cone
• Objective:
  • Practice footwork by moving to each cone
• Execution:
  • Right-left-field at each cone
  • Feet wider than shoulders for stability
  • Pause for 2 seconds at each cone
  • Move in a zigzag pattern
  • Interactive for engagement

Drill 2: Stutter Step Drill

• Objective:
  • Incorporate stutter steps; focus on continuous motion
• Instructions:
  • Shake right foot for righties, left foot for lefties (to signify starting foot)
  • Two cones in line, start from the back
  • Stutter step to the first cone, then to the second
  • Coach rolls the ball, player fields and throws
  • Players move in a line to keep motion constant
• Variation:
  • Freeze after fielding for beginners, resume once the form is correct

Drill 3: Timing Drill

• Objective:
  • Focus on timing footwork with ball arrival
• Instructions:
  • Balance on right leg (righties) or left leg (lefties)
  • Roll ball to coincide with left heel striking ground
  • Perform thrice in a row to build muscle memory
• Advanced:
  • Add the throw after fielding

Conclusion

• Drills are interactive and intended to engage beginners while focusing on basic footwork fundamentals.
• Emphasis on continuous movement and proper timing for effective ground ball fielding.