Airtight Defense: Building a Great Infield

with Josh Bloomer,
Arizona State Hitting Coach and Recruiting Coordinator;
Arizona Hitting Coach from 2023 to 2024;
South Carolina Hitting Coach from 2022 to 2023;
Duke University Assistant Coach from 2019 to 2022;
2022 NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2021 ACC Tournament Champions;
2021 NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
Louisville Male High School (KY) Head Coach from 2012 to 2019;
2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Champions (undefeated, 39-0);
2019 Kentucky State champions;
6x Regional Champions;
2019 USA Today National High School Coach of the Year finalist;
Mercy Academy Head Coach from 2005-12;
2012 Kentucky State champions;
5x Regional Champions

In this video, Coach Josh Bloomer teaches you how to prepare your infield to handle a variety of balls that they could be hit throughout the course of a game. Since ground ball hops can be so unpredictable, Bloomer instructs his players how to make the read on the hop, field the hop, and make great throws in all situations - leading to more outs and less uncertainty.

Timing Drills

Coach Bloomer starts by teaching how to get your players moving and ready to field a ball with "pre pitch" timing drills. This is important for your players' ability to get to balls faster. A body in motion will get to a ball quicker then one that is not.

Fielding and Situational Play

As Bloomer progresses in the video, he teaches how he instructs his players to field various types of ground balls. You never know what type of ground ball you may get and what kinds of hops they may take. Coach Bloomer talks in detail on how to field a variety of hops with the most effective and efficient foot and glove work, and his players demonstrate those drills on the field.

Finally, Bloomer discusses situational play and how he instructs his players to move and position themselves in bunt defense, slap defense, and double play situations. This is valuable information for any coach as they learn how to adjust to the other team's hitters. These adjustments will lead to more outs and fewer runs given up.

If you are looking for a video that teaches infielders the most effective and efficient way to utilize their footwork and ground ball fielding skills, this is the video for you. Coach Bloomer goes over everything from "prep step" movement before the pitch, to how to field and throw a ball while on the run. This video features terrific infield fielding techniques you will want all of your players to learn!

63 minutes. 2021.