AGES 7–12 · BASEBALL + SOFTBALL BUILT IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
46/60 ACADEMYTHE COMPLETE YOUTH PLAYER

FREE COURSES / FIELDING & DEFENSE / LESSON 2

🧤 · FIELDING & DEFENSE STARTER · SESSION 02 OF 07

Make a Wide Ground-Ball Gate

Present a wide glove-side target.

10–15 MINUTESADULT-SUPERVISEDFREE COURSE

Today’s lesson.

Present a wide glove-side target.

Why it matters

Getting the body behind the ball creates more forgiving contact and safer soft-ball reps.

What you need

Use two cones wider than the player’s feet and 6–10 gentle rolls.

How to do the drill

Move behind the roll, bend at hips and knees, show glove low and free hand nearby, bring the ball in.

ONE CUE TO REMEMBER“Feet first, glove low.”

Today's skill-game challenge

Field 5 of 8 soft rolls without chasing the ball with only the glove.

One common mistake

Stabbing sideways while feet stay frozen.

Coach it positively: notice effort, a good decision and controlled movement—not just the final result.

Finished today's lesson? Mark it complete for this device, or repeat it another day.