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Fielding · Drill 03

Charge the Ball

5–7 min station
Teaches

Attacking a slow-rolling ground ball by moving forward to meet it, instead of standing flat-footed waiting for it to arrive.

Bring ● Softball ● Glove
Setup
  • Helper stands 20 feet away.
  • Player starts at the ready position on the far side.
  • Helper will roll SLOW balls — this drill is about the slow ones.
How it works
  1. Helper rolls a SLOW grounder right at her.
  2. She bursts forward as soon as the ball leaves your hand.
  3. She fields it on the run with alligator hands at full speed.
  4. After the catch, she pops up in a throwing position — but no throw yet, just balance.
  5. Five slow-rolls, then mix in a couple of faster ones so she has to decide: charge or stay?
Watch for
  • She starts moving as the ball leaves the helper's hand, not when it's halfway there.
  • Her feet slow down the last two steps so she can field it under control.
  • She stays LOW through the charge — she doesn't stand up.
What to say
Attack!
Don't let the ball play you.
Low and through it.
That was a bullet of a charge!
High-five moments
  • She fields a slow roller before it stops on its own.
  • She finishes balanced, not tipping forward.
  • She says “I got it!” while still running in.
Make it easier

Roll the ball slowly and start her closer. Focus on the first step being FORWARD — everything else follows.

Level it up

Roll the ball so slow it's about to stop. She has to charge, field, pop up, and fire to a fence-target in under 3 seconds.

★
Key cue
“Don't let the ball play you.”