Softball Excellence

Learn how these 3 key body parts can ensure your players successfully field groundballs

When fielding groundballs, having your players know how to use their Knees, Nose and Toes properly can make a big difference in their ability to successfully field groundballs.

Fastpitch Softball correct body position for fielding ground balls infield training

Have your players focus on three very important body parts when fielding ground balls; their nose, their knees and their toes. To help get their weight on the front part of their feet in both their ready position and when they actually field the ball, they need to work on having their Knees In Front of Their Toes (the white line in the picture1). It's impossible to do this and not bring your weight to the front part of your feet. Just be careful that their rear ends don't stick up in the air. To help them keep their rear ends down, remind them that the outfielders have to stare at their rear ends the entire game if they keep their rear ends in the air. All your players will laugh, and then keep their rear ends down!

Next, as they get ready to actually field the groundball, they want to keep their Hands Out In Front of their Head (the dotted yellow line in Picture 1) instead of letting their hands get down underneath their chins as many players do (the dotted yellow line in Picture 2). This causes them to lose sight of the ball and to lose their balance as well. A great way to help them keep their hands out in front of their heads is to tell them to Keep their Hands Out In Front of Their Nose!

Fastpitch Softball incorrect body position for fielding ground balls Knees In Front of Their Toes, Hands In Front of the Nose

Knees In Front of Their Toes, Hands In Front of the Nose is simple advice to help your players learn the proper fielding position for groundballs. Also coaches, to help your players line up properly for grounders have them line their bellybuttons up with the ball. Use body parts when teaching your players and it can make things a lot simpler for them.

To start practicing these things split your team up into pairs, have each pair with their gloves and 2 balls. Then have each pair get about 8 feet apart. One partner has the ball and the other gets into her Ready Position: Knees In front of Her Toes and the other partner then slowly rolls her the ball…as she lines up her bellybutton With the Ball, and fields the ball with her Hands In Front of Her Nose. Be sure to roll the ball SLOW at first to allow players time to get into the proper position.

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Knees, Nose & Toes

By: Cindy Bristow

Learn how these 3 key body parts can ensure your players successfully field groundballs