Second Base Skills at Home: Easy Drills to Help Your Player Dominate the Infield
Second base is one of the most exciting and underrated positions on the field. A great second baseman needs quick feet, soft hands, and sharp instincts. They turn double plays, cover a lot of ground, and back up throws across the diamond.
The best part? You don’t need a full field or team practice to help your player improve. With just a glove, a ball, and a little space, you can work on key second base skills right at home.
🧤 What Makes a Great Second Baseman?
At the 10U and 12U level, second basemen should focus on:
- Quick footwork and lateral movement
- Glove control and smooth transfers
- Turning double plays
- Proper angles on ground balls
- Situational awareness
Helping your player build these skills in short, consistent home sessions will give them more confidence—and more fun—on game day.
🏠Second Base Drills You Can Do at Home
These drills don’t need a full diamond. A yard, driveway, or open room will work just fine.
1. Glove Work on the Knees
Goal: Build soft hands and fast transfers.
How to do it:
- Have your player kneel on both knees with their glove out front.
- Roll tennis balls or baseballs directly to them, focusing on clean scoops and quick two-hand transfers.
- Mix in balls to the left, right, and middle.
- Emphasize “funneling” the ball into the body—not stabbing at it.
Why it works: It removes footwork from the equation and focuses purely on glove control and hand-eye coordination.
2. Footwork Ladder or Cone Drill
Goal: Improve lateral movement and reaction speed.
How to do it:
- Set up cones or use sidewalk chalk to create a zig-zag or ladder path.
- Have your player shuffle side to side, staying low and under control.
- Call out “left” or “right” as you toss a ball for them to field.
Variation: Add a glove and toss short hops while they move between cones.
3. Short Hop Pick Drill
Goal: Teach timing and soft glove action.
How to do it:
- Bounce short-hop throws or rolls toward your player (use a tennis ball on hard surfaces).
- Have them stay low with glove fingers pointing down.
- Focus on staying balanced and working through the ball with the glove—not pulling away.
Tip: Scooping short hops builds confidence for game-day grounders.
4. Double Play Feed Drill
Goal: Build muscle memory for quick, accurate feeds.
How to do it:
- Stand just a few feet away with a soft ball.
- Toss a ground ball, have your player field it, pivot, and make a short toss to you (simulate turning two).
- Emphasize:
- Staying low
- Quick transfer from glove to hand
- Stepping toward the target
Bonus: Switch roles and let them be the receiver, too.
5. Triangle Fielding Drill
Goal: Improve angles and body control.
How to do it:
- Set up three cones in a triangle pattern.
- Roll balls to each cone and have your player move to field each one while staying low and in rhythm.
- Work on staying light on their feet and attacking the ball with control.
Why it works: Second basemen need to cover a lot of ground without overcommitting. This builds good habits.
🧢 Parent Tips
- Keep it short and consistent: 15–20 minutes a few times a week builds habits faster than long sessions.
- Make it game-like: Add a stopwatch, count clean reps, or call out game situations to keep things engaging.
- Stay positive: Mistakes are part of learning—celebrate effort and improvement.
- Use soft balls indoors: Foam or tennis balls are great for indoor reps.
Final Word
Second base is a position that rewards hustle, precision, and anticipation. By putting in a few focused reps at home, your player will show up to practices sharper, more confident, and ready to help the team in a big way.
The best part? You’re not just building better fielding—you’re building memories and work ethic that last beyond the game.