Improve fielding with the short-hop and backhander drills
Submitted by markglenn on Wed, 04/12/2006 - 1:34am.
Youth | Baseball | Batter Up | FUNdamentals | Teens 
Pair up players (infielders) and have them get about 10 feet apart. The thrower needs to bounce the ball (one-hopper) on the ground in front of the partner’s glove. Players go back and forth with each other at a quick pace. This will work on hand-eye coordination.
Backhander Drill
You can take the same short-hop drill and add the following to it. The backhander drill works on the player going to the right across the body for a right-hander, and to the left for a left-hander.
The fielder should field the ball cleanly in front of his foot. A right-hander with glove in front of the left foot, and a left-hander in front of the right foot. Later, you can work on “arm-side” fielding techniques, where the fielder should break down and not let the ball get behind him. Always keep it in front of you. Sacrifice your body!