High school
Fielding / Infield
All positions
Intermediate
Kai Correa Middle-Infield Hand Speed & Preset Footwork Series (Vol. 2)
SF Giants bench coach Kai Correa leads middle infielders through high-rep short-hop and feed drills emphasizing hand speed, accuracy, and efficient double-play conversion with minimal extra steps.
- Skill:
- footwork, soft hands, double-play feeds
- Equipment:
- Cones
- Duration:
- About 12 min
- Setting:
- Outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Partner-fed short hops and ground balls focused on preset footwork, securing the ball on the throwing side, and delivering consistent feeds to second base. Includes right-foot-only competitive variation for slot variety and clean transfers under repetition stress.
Objectives
Build hand speed and accuracy for double plays; develop one-step maximum efficiency after fielding; create consistent feed speed and location (chest to right shoulder); eliminate bobbles and falling away.
Coaching cues
Arrive with left foot preset deeper; keep the ball right of center; minimize movement after the catch; one-step max to turn; finish through the target at consistent speed; hold the spot for working room.
Common errors
Taking more than one step after fielding; falling away on the throw; inconsistent soft or forced finishes; curling or over-rotating on feeds; bobbling and carrying into the next rep.
Safety
Start with controlled short hops; progress speed only after clean reps; use soft or tennis balls for high volume if arms are fatigued.
Setup
Partner or coach feeding short hops and ground balls; open infield space; optional cones for target lines.
Progressions
Begin with wider spacing and slower feeds; tighten and increase tempo; progress from short hops to full ground balls; add competitive right-foot-only points.
Variations
Right-foot-only scoring game; pure short-hop isolation; full DP feeds with runner simulation.
Steps
- 1. Preset Footwork — Partner feeds short hops after release; fielder arrives left-foot deep and works right-left through the ball.
- 2. Tighten Spacing — Reduce distance and increase feed speed while keeping clean, no-bobble reps.
- 3. DP Feeds — Field ground balls and deliver one-step feeds to second at consistent chest height and speed.
- 4. Right-Foot Only Variation — Competitive points version using only the right foot to force variety in slots and transfers.
