It’s ‘Opening Day’ season and that means baseball and softball fields are buzzing with energy, excitement… and yes, the occasional dropped fly ball. But if your players struggle to track, call, and confidently catch fly balls, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common challenges youth coaches face, and one of the easiest to improve with the right tools.

In our latest YouTube video, Coach Duke Baxter and Coach Steve Nikorak break down exactly how to teach fly ball fundamentals the RIGHT way.

🎯 Here’s What Coaches Need to Know:

❌ Why Backpedaling is a Disaster

Backpedaling may look like a natural move, but it causes players to lose their balance, misread the ball, and often fall or freeze. The fix? Teach players to move athletically with a drop step, keeping their body sideways so they can adjust in every direction.

🧭 The Drop Step Drill

Set up cones in a “V” shape and work on first steps with quick direction changes. This teaches reaction, positioning, and helps players read the ball off the bat, all while staying athletic.

🧤 Glove Positioning: Fingers Up, Eyes Forward

Young players often flip their gloves awkwardly or stab at the ball. Train them to catch fingers to the sky above the waist, using two hands when the ball is within the shoulders, and one hand when it’s outside the frame.

💬 Communication is Non-Negotiable

“I got it!” - It’s a simple call, but it prevents so many collisions and dropped balls. Teach players to call loudly, take charge, and use visual cues like a hand wave for added clarity.

🪣 The “Bucket Read” Drill

No gloves. No pressure. Just a tennis racket, squish balls, and a bucket. Players place the bucket where they think the ball will land. It builds anticipation, footwork, and spatial awareness. Plus, it’s fun!

💪 Build Confidence with Props

Use soft balls, squish balls, and even bare-hand drills to teach proper catching technique without fear. This is a great way to prepare young players who may be hesitant under a high fly.

🎥 Want to see it all in action? Watch the Full Video on YouTube

👊 When players understand how to track the ball, communicate, and catch with confidence, fly balls go from scary to second nature. And when coaches create a safe, structured, and engaging environment, we are all one step closer to Dominating the Diamond!

🛠️ Some of the training tools featured in this video may be available in our online shop at Zoned Sports Academy. Visit it here: