Fly Ball Call-Off Drill
A classic baseball and softball fielding drill: the feeder sends fly balls between two or three outfielders, who must call for the ball, catch it, and back each other up. Students practice catching, communication, and preventing collisions.
How to play
- Form 5 groups of 5: one feeder and two lines of outfielders facing each other 33 ft apart, about 50 ft from the feeder (2 min).
- The first player in each line waits in ready position. The feeder throws a high fly ball overhand into the space between them.
- Whoever has the better angle yells 'I got it! I got it! I got it!' with arms up; the other answers 'Yours!' and moves behind to back them up.
- Catch with two hands above the forehead and throw back to the feeder. Both fielders go to the end of the opposite line (5 min).
- Add a third fielder in the middle as the center fielder, who has priority: if they call it, the others peel off (5 min).
- Finish with a group challenge: 10 straight catches with a correct call earns 1 point; each catch without a call loses one (5 min).
Rules
- Safety: once someone calls the ball, nobody else goes for it.
- A catch without a loud call doesn't count.
- The feeder waits until the line is ready before throwing.
Variations
Easier
Lower fly balls, and the lines move in to 20 ft apart.
Standard
Two outfielders, then three with center field priority.
Harder
The feeder hits fungoes with a soft bat instead of throwing.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student acts as feeder or as center fielder with a smaller catching area.
- Hearing impairment: the call is made with arms raised, and a hand signal for 'yours' is agreed on.
- Skill level: students who are afraid of the ball can start with larger foam balls.
Learning goals
- Catch fly balls by getting under the flight path.
- Communicate clearly to decide who makes the catch.
- Back up teammates and avoid collisions.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 10
- cones: 15
Teacher tip
Most fielding collisions come from silence, so insist on the call even if it feels over the top. Teach students to drop-step and run sideways watching the ball, not backpedal.
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