Dropstep, Crossover, Go is an outfield drill focusing on footwork. Many players athletically move to the ball correctly. Other young athletes aren’t quite so graceful. Regardless, it is a good idea to drill and reinforce positive footwork. Keep it simple, start slow, and gradually increase the pace – always allowing the athlete the opportunity to experience success!

EXECUTION – This drill is run anywhere with grass.  Careful to keep the sun out of the players’ eyes. Each athlete should have a baseball. When it is their turn, jog from the line to the ‘live’ cone and toss coach the ball. With the athlete in a ready position, coach starts the drill by raising one arm and waiting for movement #1:

• Dropstep – The first movement is a dropstep, taken in the direction of the ball (or whichever arm the coach has raised). That means, the proper-side foot steps back behind the body, so that the chest opens up to that side of the field.  The knees are slightly bent, athletically turning the body to run in the correct direction.
• Crossover – Movement #2 is a crossover step with the other foot. Basically, the body is moving at a diagonal behind the original stance position. Eventually, this is a Crossover + Read movement.  Meaning, the athlete’s first step is always back… but then there is a read moment, where he/she decides whether to continue running back on the ball, stay where they are, or move in to catch the ball.
• Go! – Go. Catch. The. Ball! In this controlled drill, the coach must throw and appropriate height fly ball.

As the drill continues, coach moves from predictably raising one arm… to unpredictably choosing an arm.  Also, move from broken movements (step-by-step) to one fluid action over several times through the line.

DC KEYS

1. Broken Movements First – Each athlete MUST go through the line with broken movements a minimum of two times. Many athletes do this correctly naturally, but they have no idea what they actually do.
2. Follow a Progression – Right, left, and unpredictable with broken movements. Then increase pace slightly but check each movement. Continue to a free-flowing movement making sure that footwork is accurate.
3. Control Pace & Difficulty – Start predictably and with broken movements. Move into less predictable direction choices, with more fluid movements. Also, extend the height of the fly ball as well as the distance required to run to catch it.

EQUIPMENT LIST