Things You'll Need:
- Formal instruction in baseball coaching (recommended)
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Step 1
Learn how to help players warm up for drills and games properly. This will involve mastering a variety of stretching techniques, as well as ways of loosening up the upper body, particularly arms and shoulders.
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Step 2
Have your players practice throwing. The most fundamental concept of effective infield throwing is to teach your players to square up to the base before releasing the ball. Then, move on to more difficult techniques like pivoting and footwork.
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Step 3
Prepare drills designed to give players practice in fielding ground balls to their glove side. Teach your players how to anticipate hops, when to move and how to square up to the base they're going to throw to once the ball is in their glove.
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Step 4
Expand your ground ball drills to include practice in fielding grounders hit to the infielders' backhand side. These are trickier not only to field, but also because the player will have to pivot before squaring up to the base. Start with glove-side grounders before moving to backhand-side grounders when practicing.
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Step 5
Practice double plays. Utilize all members of the infield, and make sure you run drills for third base-to-second-base double plays, as well as second base-to-first-base double plays.
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Step 6
Be prepared to offer insight into the proper style of glove each infielder needs to do his job most effectively. For example, a first baseman's glove often has a larger webbing pouch designed to help him catch balls thrown off-target.
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Step 7
Master infield defensive strategy techniques. If a hitter is known to pull the ball to one side of the field, coach your players in the infield shift. An infield shift is used to place your resources in the spots where a certain hitter is most likely to put the ball in play, and can be a very effective way of getting big outs when they're needed most.
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Step 8
Emphasize the importance of good communication between your infielders. Get your players in the habit of chattering to one another, sharing information and anticipating the play.
