The 3 Steps to Becoming a Better Infielder 

Love Jerry, taught me everything i know, use and still teach to this day. Turn me from a raw talented Short Stop to a fundamentally sound one.

Good tip if you're taking a grounder (especially if you're hesitant/afraid) is to count the bounces it takes to get to your glove. It gets you more focused on the path of the ball and where it may go next, as well as taking your focus off of the fear of missing it/it hitting you, etc.

Great point that a lot of youth coaches don't seem to understand. The ready position needs to be a position from which the fielder is alert, focused on the hitting zone, and can attack the ball in any direction at contact. Head up instead of head down is another great point. Then replacing the glove with the throwing side foot to maintain rhythm. Great video.

I am using your videos with your permission to train and coach players in our league in Toronto. I will be using your name and link for all to see and use. This is such a great tool for all of our players. Thanks so much, Chris

Pedroia's speed to the ball can be attributed to his taking advantage of some trainable physical movements: 1) move towards the hitter prior to pitch 2) begin your hop before bat strikes ball 3) time your hop to be at 'top of hop' at ball contact 4) read the direction before hitting the ground 5) Load your offside leg before landing 6) Explode that loaded leg just before landing, 6) Practice, practice, practice

So many rubbish videos out there but this is clear, helpful and detailed. Fantastic work

CXVDesign, the 2 to 6 o'clock still works on bad fields, the KEY is keeping your chest up but your eyes locked onto the ball. Baseballs always can take a bad hop, but if you're in the proper fielding position and the ball "kicks up," it should hit your chest and you can absorb the blow and keep the ball in front of you. Your hands are also key, they're OUT IN FRONT so if the ball takes a bad hop they can move together to try and recover. -Coach Matty

best coaching baseball videos on the web. thank you guys

As a Division I centerfielder, my head coach told me to field a routine ground ball like a short stop, and NOT to go down on a knee. Now, this is subjective. Some coaches believe getting down on one knee protects the ball, others see it as a risk that the ball could take a bounce and leave you in an un-athletic position, causing an error. I'd say that at younger levels, go down to a knee, the better you get, the QUICKER you want to field the ball and get it back to the infield! -Coach Matty

First time I've ever left a comment. Very informative and detailed. Thank you for taking the time. I've seen hundreds of videos to improve my coaching for the kids and this is the best fielding video I've seen!

Ally, keeping your chest and head up puts you in a more athletic fielding position. Stand up, and try to keep your chest down but your head completely up, it will strain your neck. Also, if the ball takes a bad hop, having your chest up will enable you to block the ball and keep it in front of you. If you're chest is down, the only spot that the ball could hop up and hit is your face, and that's no good! If you have any more questions message me! -Coach Matty

Great point spederton, a LOT of outfield and infield philosophies are in direct correlation with each other. Especially with understanding MOMENTUM and how you can use your body to increase the velocity and accuracy on your throws. -Coach Matty

wow best fielding tips I ever saw, gotta show this to my coach because he taught this wrong..... thanks!

this video was really helpful, I always wondered about the 2 - 6 o clock hand postion... what I didnt really know about was bringing your body to the ball instead of bring the ball to your body. nice tips! will apply to my workouts!

Ah, thanks man, I really appreciate it, our season starts up soon, so I'll use this info and see if I have any new questions. But thank you very much!

Excellent video. Thank you!.

This is a genius demonstration.great concepts this helped me so much

Best fielding advice on the net!

Love this video. Best I have seen on fielding. Same way Ozzie Smith was demonstrating fielding except you added more details. Again Loved it

You should do a video on how your arm action or armposition should be varying on your position. Alot of kids dont know exactly how how to increase velocity by having their arm and holding the ball a certain way depending on position.

Thanks! Let me know if you use these tips in your game... I bet you'll start throwing out ALL base runners! -Coach Matty

Chris, That sounds fantastic. Thanks for helping to spread our ProSwing philosophies! Let me know how it works and the success it entails... we'll have a string of new videos coming out soon! You'll be the first to know! -Coach Matty

Great tips!!! I am usually a 2nd baseman in the game And these tips helped a lot!!!!!

that usually comes down to your pre pitch routine. Knowing what to do with it, how fast your runners are, and the situation. the only way to help you "calm" you nerves is expecting the ball hit to you and what to do with it.

wow - i'm a little league coach, and was using some of these myths. thanks for debunking them. great video

Finally decided to leave a comment, but I put this video in my favorites and i watch it every now and then, I've watched it about 10 times and Im a jv starting shortstop and all star starting shortstop and I think I'm pretty good. But before this video I wasn't very good at all. Thank you.

I am coaching a 9UA team full of new players. These drills are simple and excellent!!! Cannot wait to try these out at practice. Think I will test them at home with my sons to make sure I can teach them as easily as shown. Thank you for doing this video. Loved it!!! Shout out to FBSA in Frisco, Texas- Go Orioles!!!

typically if you play a corner position I was taught to have a one two squat. This means you go "right left squat". corners should do this because first and third will get the ball faster off the bat. where middles have more range and don't really expect the ball hit right at them.

i am 12 and this has really inproved my fielding i play sortstop and pithcher tahank you these help soo much

Fantastic video! Ty!

Thanks this video helps me a lot

Awesome video!!!

Jewelz, the basics and fundamentals of fielding a groundball is the same for all infield positions. So yes, you can use this. However, when it comes to covering first base, turning double plays, and fielding bunts, first base is very different! I'll make sure we create a first base video soon! -Coach Matty

thank you great vid

Awesome!!

Tiduhl, my best advice is to start with our "Top Gun Throwing Series" video, it lays out progressive steps to increase arm strength, velocity, and accuracy. If you still want supplemental drills after viewing that, message me! -Coach Matty

Awsome stuff very very good video

i use this same exact method and i start on my 13u competitive team. i play shortstop.

Hey Matty got any advice for a rusty high school baseball player? I played from elementary to middle school, and now I would like to get back into it. I'm primarily a First-baseman/Outfielder. Your videos have been great help so far.

Thank you ^^

Great Video

Great video perfect instruction , and he has a great New York accent lol

!!!!!!AWESOME!!!!!!!

awesome video

Mr. Rick James I'm glad you liked the tip! You have the most excited comment I've seen! (That's a lot of exclamation points!) Let me know what other kind of videos you'd want to see! -Coach Matty

ever heard of wallball? go to your local school and just practice throwing the ball of the wall.... here are some drills: fielding ball off left side backhand rake backhand pick and stick forehand (getting ball in front of left foot) on the run

Jordan, thanks for the great comment! Bringing your body to the ball is a very underplayed part of fielding a ground ball. Creating a constant movement and rhythm as you field a ball is extremely important! If you ever have any baseball questions or concerns, don't hesitate to message me! -Coach Matty

nice ima baseball player myself and i think u have great tips =D

this video helped me a lot (i'm 3rd baseman)

proswing is beast

Thanks I'm a kid and im a allstar now

Since I joined my baseball team 5 years ago my coaches have been telling me to touch the floor with my glove and catch the ball like an crocodile but good thing I'm stubborn and have an attitude so i didnt listen to them and thanks for the tip

I have a question on the tall baseball ready position. I thought, such as in football or athletism, that the down position was there to be able to accellerate properly to the ball. Yes you will get up a bit, but it slows you to get to far balls no? I'm not a baseball specialist but I'm really curious about technique since I play slowpitch softball! Thanks a lot!

I agree with most of what he said except for the idea of trying to maintain an equilateral triangle between the legs and hands when fielding, this idea is also a myth. This is only possible if the ball is hit hard directly at a player such that he is able to get into a position where he can wait for the ball to come to him without charging the ball or ranging to the left or right as the ball is fielded. However, in a real game a player will usually be fielding the ball while on the move. When fielding a ball on the move it is better for the legs to be in their natural narrow position as opposed to being spread out, this position allows a player to more easily twist his body and move his arms laterally in case the ball takes an unexpected hop. When a player goes down to field a ball it is ideal for the glove side leg to be behind the glove as the ball is being fielded. From there it is easier to step and throw after fielding the ball, compared to if a player fields the ball with his feet spread out, where he now has to pivot before the step and throw.

Can you give me some tips on how to increase my throwing accuracy?

Does the 2 to 6 o'clock hand position for fielding apply also when you play on really bad fields? We play on fields that arent the most well kept, are rock hard and ball sometimes take really bad hops, and we dont want the ball hitting us in the face. Would the alligator be better? Any suggestions for that? Thanks man, love the videos!

Don't say that! If you practice this video enough... you'll be great. If you need help, let me know, I'll get together some other drills for you. -Coach Matty

even as a lefty do you catch the groundball on the inside of left foot or does this apply just for righties?

@ProSwingNY hey Matty i need help with pitching i watched your pitching vids but i feel like for my age i throw slow because i am 16 and i throw like 62 so any tips to gain more velocity?

Awesome! Would these same technics work for girls 9u softball?

i was wondering if this apply to first base too. can someone please tell me thanks

Nice

^ what a bro

I use to use a different position.

I always bend down instead of the triangle

um hi my name is jack and baseball tryouts are april first for me and I wann try out for second basement I don't get that much time to go to a batting cage but theres no moe practice before then and im a pretty good catcher not the position but im not that good at grounders and I don't think im a good batter wat should I do

While fielding a ball, I get head up, but I don't get what chest up means. Could someone help me?

That awkward moment when everything your coaches have ever told you turns out to be a myth

Good stuff! I work with 6 and 7 year olds. The problem I have is them getting down to late or not bending at the knees enough. I don't know if it is fear of the ball or just not breaking soon enough. I think it is probably both. I have one player who was hit in the mouth and he never gets down on the ball. He will do his best to keep the ball to the side of him so if there is a hop it has no chance of hitting him. How do kids protect themselves from this happening. Fear of the ball has destroyed this kids fielding. I told my kids that the non glove hand should be used as a cover up over the ball in the glove but also a shield for the face. Is this wrong? Any suggestions from anyone is appreciated.

Well, it's 5 Months later, I just wanna know, how'd ya do? Did you make the team?

Since I'm a lefty would it be "6 o clock to 9 o clock"?

Alright... Now I know why I'm spiking the ball to the ground while I'm throwing to first.... :O lol

subed

I have another workout for that on my channel search "Ty Shoultes"

Did You Ever know that The Eyes must follow the ball all the way into the pocket of the glove including the grip. Chin must get chest.Your knees are in the same stance you would use playing defense in basketball. Stay low and don't straighten up as you will lean back and your throw might go high. You have better control if you stay down. My bare hand is beside my glove again for better control and balance.

Bad tip to ALWAYS attack the ball. Sometimes you need to receive the ball and be negative.

I just noticed i suck at fielding lol

U have to see the top of hat

That is not how you get in ready position. You have to be low so you can go left right backwards and forward.

Well I am like so many other people I've been lied to

Coo

illuminati confirmed.

100 coment

They have little league baseball in Canada? Only thought it was popular in America well little league anyways.

I was being lied to my whole life.

This doesn't make much sense. because you'll generate more power to move left to right, front and back with your body low.

wrong

NO CREEPER STEP? and you say hop? hop ? hop ? lazy ball !!!!!!!

This is not very helpful