PLAN Aspire to catch everything with two hands
The habit of aspiring to catch everything with two hands forces the player to run harder, move his feet more, get to the spot more, get to the throwing position better. YES – outfielders should definitely catch balls with one hand if they are on the run or moving even a little bit, as reaching with two hands throws off balance and you lose late, quick athletic reactions. However, the habit of aspiring to catch everything with two hands gives that little extra which makes all the difference.

Goals
1) Get to spot (aspire to catch with two hands)
2) Square up to throwing position on fly balls (turned almost sideways).
3) Catch every ball on the ground – block only as a last resort.
4) Throw on a line to the base or as far as you can.

Stance
• Moving feet in place like a tennis player or take a hop when the ball crosses the plate.

Fly balls
• Catch with two hands, except on the run or moving.
• Catch every ball while turned sideways, either angle to the left or right. Allows for maneuverability and fine-tuning adjustments at the last second.
• Don’t go back or forward automatically when the ball is hit. Read the ball and move accordingly.
• Drop step to the left or right to go back.
• Make the correct angle of pursuit on balls to either side.
• Run on your toes.
• Pump your arms and run naturally, THEN put your glove up when it’s time to catch the ball.
• Shield the sun with your throwing hand and move your head to get a better angle.
• Reach for the outfield fence with your glove or hand so you aren’t tentative at the fence.

Throws
• Get behind the ball before you catch it in order to make a quick, hard throw.
• Throw as far as you can on a line. Don’t simply throw to the cut-off man.
If you can’t reach the base in the air, don’t short-hop it – make sure it’s a long hop.
• Let the relay man know how your arm is doing that day. He should generally play a little deeper to make the outfielder stretch out his throws.
• Throw from the ground from the outfield fence.
• Throw with four seams.

Ground balls
• Field everything like an infielder, unless there is a big, easy hop and you can get behind it and catch it while starting the throwing action.
• Don’t aspire to simply knock it down. Too many variables means the runner can advance. Blocking balls is a last resort on bad hops or hard shots.
• Don’t go to a knee when fielding ground balls unless a bad hop forces you to the ground.
• On grounders or bloopers with a play at a base, throw with a quick, short-arm release.

Other
• Be comfortable with diving
• Back-up all infield throws
• Be able to throw overhand and sidearm depending on the situation.
• Know all situations.
• On a single with a runner on first, only throw to third if you have a real chance at getting him. Otherwise, throw to second so the batter doesn’t advance.