Infield Around the Horn

An infield warm-up that ends with the ball whipped around the diamond. The coach hits a ground ball, the shortstop throws to first, and the ball goes home, to third, second and first, and back to the pitcher on crisp crow-hop throws.

Setup:

• The full infield in position, with the coach, a fungo and a bucket near home plate.

Execution:

• The coach hits a ground ball to the shortstop, who charges it and throws to first.

• First throws home, home throws to third, third throws to second, second throws to first, and first returns it to the pitcher.

• Every receiver catches on the bag, crow-hops toward the next target and throws.

• Hit the ground ball to a different fielder each round.

Coaching points:

• Catch it on the glove side so the transfer is quick.

• Footwork first. A short crow-hop gets the body moving toward the target.

• Throw to the receiver's chest every time.

Progressions:

• Time each trip around the horn and try to beat it.

• Reverse the direction every round.

• Hit live ground balls to every position before the trip around the horn.