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Ground balls drill for youth baseball

Updated

In short

Ground balls is a beginner-level baseball drill. Fielding a ground ball cleanly is mostly about your feet and your position, not your glove. Get there early and the catch becomes easy. It builds fielding, footwork and throwing transition. It needs glove, ball and partner or wall, and can be done in a backyard. This page lists 5 numbered steps and 3 common mistakes with their fixes. The demonstration video is AI-generated.

AI demoThis demonstration video is AI-generated: Koach Rio is an AI character, not a real coach. Real verified coaches review every drill before launch.

What does the ground balls drill build?

  • fielding
  • footwork
  • throwing transition

Quick facts

Sport
Baseball
Level
beginner
Equipment
glove, ball and partner or wall
Space needed
backyard

How do you do the ground balls drill?

  1. Ready position

    Wide feet, knees bent, glove out front before the ball is ever hit.

  2. Move to the ball

    Shuffle so your body is lined up with it. Do not reach sideways.

  3. Get low and wide

    Butt down, glove on the ground out in front of you where you can see it.

  4. Two hands

    Field it out front with your throwing hand right above the glove, ready to grab.

  5. Into the throw

    Bring it to your chest, step toward your target, and throw.

What are the most common ground balls mistakes?

  • Mistake

    Glove between your legs

    Fix

    Field it out in front where your eyes can follow it into the glove.

  • Mistake

    Standing too tall

    Fix

    Get your butt down and your glove on the ground.

  • Mistake

    Waiting for the ball

    Fix

    Move toward it. Waiting lets the ball play you instead.

Who demonstrates this drill?

Koach Rio, an AI-generated coach character

Koach Rio AI coach

Swing path and glove work. Clean reps only.

There are 4 baseball drills like this one

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