Catching and throwing improve together. This drill has kids throw farther each round, which teaches them to throw harder and catch with softer hands.
Equipment needed: 20 softballs, a bucket, a wide-open space, four to six kids in pairs.
Setup: Pair the kids up. Each pair starts 20 feet apart, facing each other.
How to run it:
- Round 1: Throw and catch 5 reps at 20 feet.
- Both take one step back (now 25 feet).
- Round 2: Throw and catch 5 reps at 25 feet.
- Both take another step back (now 30 feet).
- Continue until someone misses or reaches 50 feet.
Once a pair reaches their max distance, they step back in 5 feet and do a final set of 5 clean reps.
What to look for: Catch technique at distance. Soft hands that give way with the ball. Kids who reach for the ball with stiff arms will drop passes.
Variation: For younger kids (8-9), start at 15 feet. For older kids (10), add a clock: time each rep and work on throwing and catching quickly as well as far.