Coach Mike Torres March 8, 2026 12 min read

Infield Drills: Building the Complete Infielder

Infield practice

The infield is where baseball games are won and lost. Every ground ball is a potential out, every double play a momentum shifter, every error a run given away. Infield play is a game of micro-seconds and precise footwork—the difference between a smooth fielder and a choppy one is hundreds of hours of deliberate practice. This guide provides a comprehensive library of infield drills covering every aspect of infield play, from basic ground balls to the most complex situational footwork.

The Foundation: Ground Ball Mechanics

Before any advanced infield work, you must master the fundamentals of catching and fielding ground balls. The body mechanics of infield fielding are consistent across positions, with only minor adjustments for ball distribution and throwing angles.

The Ready Position

Every infielder should start in an athletic ready position: knees flexed, weight on the balls of your feet, glove out in front of your body at chest height, eyes tracking the batter. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. From this position, you can move in any direction with equal efficiency. If you're standing upright or have your weight on your heels, you're already behind.

The Approach and Fielding Position

As the ball is hit, move toward it—don't wait for it to come to you. The best infielders charge ground balls aggressively, getting their body behind the ball to create a functional fielding triangle with their legs and glove. Your glove should be down, in front of your body, with your eyes through your hands. Your throwing hand is back and ready to transfer.

For a routine ground ball, the fielding position has your feet staggered, knees bent, glove on the ground or just above it, and your body behind the ball. As the ball approaches, move your glove toward it and absorb the ball into your body—don't let it come into your palm. The moment of contact should feel soft, not like you're snatching the ball.

Baseball glove close up

Essential Infield Drills

Drill 1: The Partner Pepper Circuit

Pepper is one of the best all-around infield drills because it combines reaction time, soft hands, quick transfers, and footwork in a competitive format. Two to four players form a line facing each other 15-20 feet apart. The first player softly taps ground balls to the fielding team, who field and throw back. Rotate roles frequently.

Focus points during pepper: are you fielding the ball in front of your body? Are you making an accurate throw to the partner's chest? Are you in an athletic fielding position for every ball? Pepper done correctly is one of the most effective uses of a 10-minute pre-practice window.

Drill 2: The Four-Corner Tumble

This drill develops body control and ground ball fielding from different angles. Set up four cones at the corners of where a shortstop would field a ball—straight ahead, to the left, to the right, and behind. Have a coach hit ground balls to each cone in random order. Sprint to the ball, set up, field it cleanly, and make an accurate throw to first. This drill trains you to adjust your approach angle and still field the ball correctly.

Drill 3: The Transfer Drill

The transfer from glove to throwing hand is where many infielders lose critical time. Set up at your position with a bucket of balls. Field the ball and make the transfer to your throwing hand WITHOUT throwing—focus entirely on the speed and cleanliness of the transfer. The ball should be in your throwing hand and ready to throw in under 0.5 seconds from the field. Film yourself to identify mechanical inefficiencies in your transfer.

Drill 4: The Footwork Progression

Footwork is the difference between an infielder who makes throws from a stable platform and one who throws off-balance. The standard footwork for a throw to first: field the ball with your right foot back, take a step with your left foot toward the target, plant on your right foot, and throw. This is the "crow hop" of infield play—don't throw flat-footed.

Practice the footwork progression without throwing first. Set up at shortstop, approach a ball, field it, and go through the footwork sequence without a ball in your hands. Repeat until it's automatic. Then add the ball and throw.

Baseball field

Double Play Drills

The Turn and Throw

The double play turn is one of the most technically demanding plays in baseball. A second baseman or shortstop receives the throw from the fielder, steps on second base to force the runner, then pivots and throws to first. The key is the pivot—not the throw. The pivot should be a sharp, 180-degree turn with your back foot landing on the base and your front foot rotating toward first.

Practice the turn without a throw first. Receive an imaginary throw at second, step on the base, and pivot toward first. Feel the foot positions and balance. Then add the throw. A common mistake: not stepping fully on the base, which creates a "short hop" footwork that limits your throwing options. Always step ON the base.

Live Double Play Rounds

Set up three stations: a coach hitting grounders to the shortstop/second baseman, a first baseman covering, and a coach at home plate ready to receive throws. Hit live grounders to the left side, call for the ball, execute the turn and throw, and have the first baseman throw home. Run 10-15 reps, alternating the turning duty between the shortstop and second baseman.

Situational Infield Drills

Runner on First, Ball Hit to the Right Side

The second baseman must cover second base for a potential force or tag play. The shortstop fields and throws to second. Practice this specific situation: coach hits to shortstop, second baseman breaks to cover, shortstop fields and throws, second baseman catches and applies the tag. The throw must be to the second baseman's back foot or glove side to allow for an easy tag.

Bases Loaded, Less Than Two Outs

The most high-pressure infield situation. The shortstop must be prepared to receive a home plate-bound throw from any position, possibly including a backup of the catcher. Practice the communication and positioning: who's covering home, who's the cutoff, what's the call if the ball is hit hard to the outfield. Run this situation live at least once per week during the season.

Building a Practice Plan

An effective infield practice should follow a specific progression:

Conclusion

Infield excellence is built through hundreds of reps with attention to detail. Focus on mechanics first, then add speed and competition. Record your drills and review them to catch bad habits early. Build a daily routine that addresses your specific weaknesses. For more on defensive development, read our Fielding Drills, Outfield Positioning, and Position-Specific Training.

Related Articles: Fielding Drills | Outfield Positioning | Position Training | Base Running Defense