As most outs in the outfield will be made on fly balls, catching a ball hit in the air is an important skill for all baseball players to learn. One effective method to develop these skills is through the Sky Ball Drill.

Keys to Catching a Fly Ball

The technique for catching a fly ball involves several key components that ensure not only the success of the catch but also the safety of the player. Let's break down these components:

1. Eyes on the Ball: The fundamental rule of catching any ball, especially a fly ball, is to keep your eyes on it at all times. This continuous visual tracking helps in accurately judging the ball's trajectory, speed, and eventual landing spot. It allows players to position themselves correctly and make any necessary adjustments as the ball descends.
2. Glove Positioning: The glove should be positioned just below the line of sight of the eyes as to not obstruct the player's view.
3. Hand Alignment: The throwing hand also plays a role in securing the catch. It should either be positioned behind the glove, ready to clamp down on the ball once it lands in the glove, or the thumbs of both hands should be near each other if the ball is being caught with two hands. A good baseline rule is that catches made within the player's shoulders are completed with 2 hands and when players need to reach for the ball outside of the shoulder's width, catching with 1 hand may be necessary.
4. Fingers: The glove should be slightly angled towards the glove-side shoulder to not obstruct the player's view. All fingers should be pointed upwards and basket catching fly balls should be discouraged and corrected immediately.

Sky Ball

Variation 1: Self-Toss

A great introduction to catch fly balls is with the self-toss variation of the Sky Ball Drill, where players are encouraged to toss the ball into the air and catch it. This seemingly simple exercise is crucial for developing a player's hand-eye coordination and getting them accustomed to tracking the ball's trajectory and judging where the ball is going to land. To add complexity, easy progressions include:

1. Barehanded Catches
2. Catching with a Glove
3. Using the Brim of the Hat:This unconventional method is not just for show; it teaches players to track the ball all the way into their "catch zone," reinforcing the importance of eye contact with the ball until the very last moment. Of course, for this variation, a wiffle ball or tennis ball is used.

Variation 2: Coach-Tossed Drills

Once players have honed their self-toss skills, the coach tosses the ball from various distances, simulating different pop fly and fly ball scenarios. Safety is paramount, so starting with softer balls like tennis balls or wiffles is the recommended way to start this drill. Often a the lighter ball is actually more difficult for the players to catch. This stage challenges players to adjust their positioning and timing based on the ball's trajectory, which are key to catching fly balls.

Variation 3: Batted Balls

The final progression mimics game-like conditions, where fly balls are unpredictably hit into the air. Achieving accuracy with batted balls can be challenging even for experienced coaches, so using a tennis racket to hit tennis or wiffle balls allows for greater control over the ball's direction and height, providing players with a wide range of fly ball scenarios to practice catching them. It's a significant step up in difficulty and an excellent way to prepare players for the unpredictability of live games.

To help explore how to create a safe, fun engaging and movement based practice, keep looking for updates on the Coach's Clipboard or use one of the links below.

Links:

1. Batting Stance
2. Hitting off a Tee
3. Running to First Base
4. Fielding a Groundball