Using Angles to Teach Better Infield Fundamentals

Proper infield fundamentals all start with proper angles and athletic movements. While showing the proper fundamentals to your infielders typically works for most fielders, it doesn't necessarily click for all infielders. In this blog post, I will be going over some wonderful visual aids that have been used by one of baseball's top instructors to give coaches another tool to use to teach infield fundamentals. 

Perhaps there isn't a better infield instructor in baseball than Ron Washington. Washington has certainly developed many top infielders in the game of baseball. What makes Washington so amazing as an instructor is how simple he makes the message. On Twitter (now X) I saw a wonderful short clip of angles Coach Washington used to instruct how to field a ground ball properly. 

The Triangle

(The Triangle as a visual aid)

At the beginning of the instructional video, Washington drew a triangle in the infield dirt. On the edges of the base of the triangle, the infielder's feet should be placed. At the other edge of the triangle, is where the infielder needs to catch the ground ball. This is a wonderful visual aid because it allows the defender to have a mental image in their head to use when practicing and playing in a game so that their infield fundamentals remain strong. 

(The defender's feet on the edges of the base of the triangle)

Bringing It All Together

(An infielder using the toe-up technique)

(An infielder using the toe-down technique)

There are multiple ways for infielders to field ground balls and to find their rhythm. In the above image, the defender is in the triangle position to field the ground ball. Notice that he has a flat back, and his glove is beneath the ground ball with his eyes seeing the catch into his glove, with his throwing hand in a hand-shaking position. You want the throwing hand in this position because it does not tighten up muscles and allows for the hand to be smoother in the transition of the ball from the glove to the throwing hand. Also, look at the glove foot of the infielder. Some infielders prefer to have their front toe up in the air, and when catching the ball in their glove the toe goes down. This allows for the infielder to stay in rhythm with the catch. Other infielders prefer not to use this technique as it is too many steps for them to handle. There is no certain way for an athlete to do a skill, but there is a best way that works the infielder to consistently catch, transition the ball out of the glove, and throw the ball to record outs. If you look at the second above picture in this section, notice as the ball is about to be caught by the infielder his throwing hand transitions from being on the side of the glove to on top of the glove. At the catch, the throwing hand will be used to ensure the catch and allow for the infielder to transition the caught ball out of his glove, into a four-seam fastball grip to record the out at the desired base. After the infielder has caught the ground ball he can do two things to get in line with the throw. He can either take his throwing arm's side foot toward the direction of the intended target, or he can turn his glove side hip and shuffle toward the desired target. Either can be used, or both can be used. It is up to the athleticism of the infielder and preference. 

There are many ways to teach infielders how to properly field ground balls, which is the beauty behind coaching. Coaches should never cookie cut their players because every player moves differently. It is up to the coach and athlete to find which way works best for the individual. This clip and visuals are another way to help your players understand the proper fundamentals of catching a ground ball by one of the best coaches in the game of baseball. Therefore, be willing to learn different ways to teach different skills so that the skills are learned quicker and easier for your athletes to have consistent success. 

Supplementary Video Clip

Ron Washington Triangle Clip