Glove Grounding Drill

A Fun and Safe Drill to Teach Young Players How to Keep Their Glove Low for Ground Balls

The Glove Grounding Drill is a beginner-friendly drill for 6-7 year-olds that teaches kids to keep their glove low for fielding ground balls. By focusing on stance, glove positioning, and body posture, players build the foundation for good fielding habits.

Difficulty Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Easy)
Time Estimate: 8-10 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Soft baseballs, tennis balls, or foam balls for safety
  • Gloves for each player
  • Small cones or markers (optional for positioning)
  • A safe, flat area for players to spread out
  1. Player Positioning:
  • Set up a line of cones or markers to space out each player safely.
  • Each player should have their glove on and stand in a relaxed stance behind their cone, facing the coach.
  1. Tossing Area:
  • The coach stands about 10-12 feet in front of the players, ready to roll balls toward them. Using soft or foam balls ensures safety while still allowing for effective practice.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Instruction and Demonstration:
  • Start by explaining the importance of keeping the glove low and getting down for ground balls.
  • Show the correct fielding position: knees bent, glove low to the ground, and eyes focused on the ball.
  • Encourage players to “be like an alligator” by pretending their glove is an alligator’s mouth and the ground is the water. They must keep their glove low to “snap” up the ball like an alligator catching prey.
  1. Drill Execution:
  • Roll a soft ball slowly toward each player in the line, one at a time.
  • Encourage the players to get down low, keep their glove on the ground, and scoop up the ball.
  • After fielding the ball, the player should gently toss it back to the coach, reset, and get ready for the next roll.
  • Repeat the drill several times, focusing on correct glove positioning and body stance with each repetition.
  1. Make it Fun and Engaging:
  • Turn the drill into a game by counting how many “snaps” or successful catches each player makes.
  • You can also create a challenge by rolling the ball to different spots (left, right, or straight on) to get players moving while keeping their glove low.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Glove Grounding Drill is essential for teaching young players how to get low for ground balls, a fundamental skill in fielding. Young players often have a tendency to keep their glove too high, which results in missing or bobbling grounders. By learning to keep the glove low, players develop good habits that will help them as they progress in baseball. This drill builds confidence in catching ground balls, ensuring players learn the basics of body posture, hand-eye coordination, and glove control.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Proper Glove Positioning: Teaches players to keep their glove on the ground, reducing the risk of missed grounders.
  • Body Posture and Balance: Helps players learn how to bend their knees and position their body for optimal fielding.
  • Hand-Eye Coordination: Reinforces the need to watch the ball all the way into the glove, a critical part of fielding any ground ball.

Pros and Cons of the Drill:

Pros:

  • Easy to Learn: This drill is simple, making it ideal for younger players just learning to field.
  • Safe and Controlled: Using soft balls and close distances reduces the risk of injury, keeping the focus on technique and confidence.
  • Fun and Engaging: The “alligator snap” analogy keeps kids engaged and makes the drill enjoyable.

Cons:

  • Limited Movement: This drill focuses on basic glove positioning rather than more complex fielding movement, so it’s best paired with other drills as players progress.
  • Requires Close Supervision: For safety and effectiveness, close supervision is necessary to ensure players keep their glove low and don’t reach for the ball too early.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Emphasize the Low Glove Position: Remind players to keep their glove on the ground until they secure the ball. Avoid “scooping” or lifting the glove too soon.
  • Encourage Bending the Knees: Young players often rely on bending at the waist rather than their knees. Remind them to bend their knees to get down to the ball.
  • Make it Fun: Incorporating games or counting “alligator snaps” makes the drill more engaging and builds positive associations with fielding practice.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What if players struggle to keep their glove down?
  • If players keep lifting their glove, demonstrate the correct positioning again and use the “alligator snap” analogy to encourage them. You can also use a cone as a guide to help players visualize where their glove should be.
  1. Can this drill be adapted for older players?
  • Yes, but older players may need a more challenging version with quicker or varied rolling speeds. For older age groups, incorporate more movement and potentially add backhands and forehands to build advanced skills.
  1. How often should this drill be practiced?
  • This drill can be practiced regularly in warm-ups or as part of infield practice, about 2-3 times a week. It’s an essential foundational drill, so consistency is key for young players.
  1. What can I do if the player is fearful of the ball?
  • Using foam or tennis balls reduces the risk and can help build confidence. Start with very slow rolls to build comfort, emphasizing that the ball won’t hurt. Gradually increase the pace as they grow more confident.

The Glove Grounding Drill is a great way to introduce young players to proper fielding fundamentals in a fun, safe, and effective manner. By reinforcing the importance of keeping their glove low, players will build the skills needed for consistent fielding success as they progress in baseball.