Welcome to Drill of the Week, a series on ACTIVEkids.com that explains individual and team drills for parents and coaches to help kids improve at the sports they love.
This week's drill is Hot Potato, a baseball exercise brought to you by TheDrillbook.com.
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Description
"Hot Potato" is a great drill for working hand/glove control, proper fielding position, and lower half conditioning. Two infielders position themselves on the infield dirt approximately 10' apart. Both players face one another as they get into the proper fielding position. Each player will have a ball in his catching hand as gloves are not needed for this drill. Both players will simultaneously toss their ball to their opponent's forehand until one player drops the ball, ending the game. All flips and catches are made with the fielding hand. The first player to win three games is the winner. Multiple pairs of players can participate at the same time.
More: Drill of the Week: Baseball Fielding Drill for Kids
Key Teaching Points
Proper Fielding Position: Make sure the players are in a good fielding position with their feet wider than their shoulders, knees flexed, rear-end low, and hands in front of the body.
Hand/Glove Control: This drill will work hand-eye coordination and will teach the player to track the ball all the way into his hand.
More: Drill of the Week: Baseball Fly Ball Drill for Kids
Conditioning: This drill is a great preseason conditioner for strengthening the hamstring and the quadriceps muscles. Remind the players to catch the ball with "soft hands". Younger players should start with a tennis ball until they are comfortable.
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