Outfielder Drills – Outfield Receiving and Throwing – IMG Academy

Short Summary

1. Jason Elias, lead outfield instructor at IMG Baseball Academy, discusses essential skills and drills for outfield play, focusing on receiving and throwing the baseball.
2. Joined by postgraduate students Andrew Matat and Marty Grany, Elias emphasizes the importance of receiving the ball with purpose rather than casually.
3. He outlines four key points for outfielders when receiving the baseball:
   1. Get Behind the Baseball: Outfielders should position themselves two to three steps behind where they anticipate the ball will land to generate momentum for better throws.
   2. Hips Orientation: Outfielders need to align their hips in the direction of their intended throw to maintain accuracy and power, avoiding awkward body movements.
   3. Routine Plays: Consistently making routine plays, such as catching fly balls or simple putouts, is crucial for outfielders to stand out and secure their position.
   4. Avoid Coasting: Outfielders should never coast towards the ball, as this hinders their ability to get behind it and create momentum, and can appear unathletic to scouts.
4. The segment concludes with a demonstration of proper technique, highlighting the importance of these fundamentals in effective outfield play.