The Ultimate Infield Practice Plan

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

Do you want to ramp up your defensive practices? Are you looking for ways to incorporate conditioning into more of your workouts? This video featuring University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach will show you how to add more drills into your training regimen to improve your team's defense.

Infield Philosophy

Coach Firnbach shows how she develops athleticism in her players by using drills that force athletes to charge the ball, take control of the situation and put themselves in position to make a play. She focuses on building from the ground up, beginning with footwork in order to cover more ground and make more plays. You'll see how drills that emphasize a quick first step can help your players take away hits that would have otherwise gotten through to the outfield.

"Everyday" Practices

Next, Firnbach shares drills that can be done regularly to help your infielders be confident and poised. Exercises include:

• Short Hop Series
• Line Drill
• Throwing Slots
• Ladder Drills

You'll see how to get your players to make more plays on the run, ensuring that the speed of the game is never an issue. Additionally, you will learn how foot quickness and reaction drills can make your defense a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.

Drills and Techniques

In the Catcher Throw Down Series, every infielder receives throws, makes tags, and delivers the ball to a new target. It's a great drill to work all of the catch play that infielders need to master. Firnbach's "Crossfire" is another great drill that will adjust athletes to the speed of the game.

Constructing a complete infield is your first step to defensive domination. Allow Coach Firnbach to help you do just that in this all-encompassing instructional video!

76 minutes. 2019.