FOR GROUND BALLS the key is to stay low. The biggest mistake most infielders make is to stand up before moving to the ball. By staying low, you can get to the ball quicker and if it is necessary to lay out, the ground coming up at you isn't so scary. To teach this, you start out with the player in a ready position and the coach in a kneeling position about ten feet in front. The coach throws the ball slightly to each side and the player slides to each side and fields it. The coach moves back and throws the ball farther and farther out until the player has to take a step or two and lay out on the ground to get the ball. (I usually do this on grass and put down cardboard for the player to dive on to keep them from getting so scratched up.) At the time that the player has the technique down, you can put some of these diving type grounders into her warm-up drills every day just to keep it fresh.

FOR LINE DRIVES, the teaching technique is similar but, of course, the coach throws the ball higher. Likewise, the player aims her glove higher and the fall is farther. You should again stay as low as you can as you move to the ball, and then aim your glove at the right point to make contact. By staying low, the actual lunge is often upward and seems less intimidating than diving at the ground. Once again, I usually teach this on cardboard over grass until the player is more comfortable with the fall.

FOR OUTFIELDERS, Get some refrigerator boxes from a local appliance store and cut them open to use as a slide area for teaching. Put down 2 or 3 on the grass and then one on top to slide on. Again, the coach should position ! herself in front of the sliding area and toss the ball in a way that the outfielder has to stretch out and then get down to catch it. The boxes will somewhat cushion the ground and also slide, even when the fielder isn't running fast. Once again, the emphasis should be on getting into a low profile before diving to lessen the blow. As the player gets better, the coach and player move back so the player can take a full running start before the ball is thrown.

Note: The cardboard aid can be used in the outfield to teach the sliding catch as well. Have the fielder run toward the cardboard area and go into a sitting figure 4 slide and basket catch the ball in her lap. These drills can also be run indoors over tumbling mats.

If a player really has the desire to go after the "impossible" catch and get dirty if necessary, she can make the difference in a ball game and get credit for saving the day.

This tip was contributed by Coach Ken O'Shields. (eteamz.com)