Game version
Fielding game: a partner rolls ground balls and you field and throw to a cone. The pair counts clean plays, then swaps.
Backhand From the Hole
Field a ball to your backhand side, plant your feet and make a strong throw to first.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner rolls firm balls to your backhand side.
Core: Medium. Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Glove, softballs, partner
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Fielding
The steps
How it works
- Your partner rolls firm balls to your backhand side.
- Cross over, field it out in front of your glove-side foot.
- Plant your back foot hard and throw.
- Do 12 reps; throw on 8 of them.
Coaching point
Field out front, plant hard.
Safety: Warm up first, count your throws and stop if your shoulder or elbow hurts. Follow your league throw limits.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow rolls), Core (medium), More (to your sides). Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10.
Story
You are the shortstop in the big game, and every clean play is a big play.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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