When the ball is hit to the glove side (left for a right-handed kid), the easy fielding position works but the body has to lean and the feet have to step. This is the forehand. Different from a regular grounder, easier than a backhand, but still its own move.
What you need: A glove, 10 baseballs, flat field.
Setup: Kid stands 15 feet from you, ready position.
How to run it:
- Cue: Drop, Show, Funnel, Send.
- Roll 5 slow balls to their glove side. They step with the glove-side foot, drop into fielding position with weight on that foot, and field with the glove out front.
- After the catch, they straighten up and toss back to you.
- Roll 5 more, this time slightly faster.
- Last 5: roll deeper to the glove side so they have to take two steps before they drop.
What to watch: Are the feet stepping or are they reaching with the glove only? Glove-only reach means the body is out of position. Step first, drop second.
If they’re struggling: Roll slower. Or have them practice the footwork without a ball: step glove-side, drop, recover.
If they’ve got it: Add a throw to first base after the catch. Now they have to field, recover, and throw on a target.