Here’s coach Madden with Nick Shaw from The Baseball Box, diving into mastering the backhand in baseball. Often undercoached, a solid backhand can define an infielder, especially at shortstop. Let’s unlock the secrets to improve your backhand game with these baseball fielding drills.
Key Backhand Tips & Drills:
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Footwork is Key: Instead of timing your left foot as you catch, time your right foot to get behind the ball’s path, ensuring better head and eye positioning.
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Knee Drill: Practice on your knees, angling your right side back to focus on catching the ball out front, keeping your head aligned with your back knee.
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Wide Base Drill: Stand with a wide base, simulating arriving at the ball, and focus on sinking your butt down while keeping your head aligned with your right foot.
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Add Your Feet: Incorporate footwork by approaching rolled balls, focusing on maintaining the correct position and maximizing your range for routine backhands.
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Slow Hit Backhand Drill: Practice backhanding through slow-hit balls, sticking your right foot close to the ball’s path, and creating an angle towards first base.
These drills are designed to enhance eye coordination and mechanics, crucial for fielding success. Nick emphasizes the importance of consistent practice, especially for players whose dominant eye may not naturally align with backhand plays.
Consistent daily practice is key to mastering the backhand, integrating these drills into your routine before batting practice. Focus on live balls off the bat during BP to simulate game-like conditions. Remember, making practice fun, like incorporating wall ball games, keeps you engaged and improves your skills. For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.