Rounders: Duck and Catch - Reaction Drill

Setup: 4 players stand in a diamond with 3 balls. A 5th player stands in the middle. To start the drill 1 of the outside players throw their ball to the player in the middle who has to return the ball the player who did not have a ball before the ball was thrown. The middle player then rotates to receive the next ball and the drill continues in this way.

Individual goes sideways through the ladders using arms and quick feet. Feeder feeds the ball to the crash mat for a diving catch.

Teams of 4 try and throw the ball across a pitch as quickly as possible, not missing any players out. The first team to throw the ball 10 times across the pitch is the winner.

The 2nd player in the line throws a high ball over the head of the 1st player, for them to run onto and catch close to the bowling square. Once they have caught the ball they should turn and throw to the fielding player at the 4th post. The 4th post player then throws the ball to the new 2nd player in the line who then repeats the exercise.

In 3’s. Worker on the bench – Feeder sends the ball and worker has to send the ball to other player. Make it more difficult by sending the ball to post person.

In 2s Worker on the bench – Feeder sends the ball and worker has to send the ball back

One player on post and another fielding deep on each shoulder. The ball is fed in with a bounce (objects are on the floor to create and random bounce trajectory). Where ever the ball bounces the closest player stops the ball and throws it in to the post.

Players stand about five meters apart with one ball between them. Players throw the ball to one another using the underarm throwing technique (step onto opposite foot. Thrower's palm should point at their partner). The player with the ball throws the ball overarm at the floor, about half way betweem them and their partner. The other player must react to the bounce/bobble and catch the ball.

Players work in pairs for this exercise, with one ball between two. Players take it in turns to bounce pass the ball at each other for the other player to react to and catch, either one or two handed.

Ask the players to spread themselves and have 1 ball for the players to throw or roll the ball to each other. The player in the middle has to try and catch the player in possession of the ball. or get to the ball before a player does if it is badly thrown.

Set Up: Groups of 3 players. with 2 balls Player A and B 10-15m apart and player C stands in the centre between 2 cones. The Drill: Player A throws a high ball to the cone opposite them. Player C moves towards the ball, sets themself, catches the ball, and throws back to player A. Player C then turns and repeats the drill from fielder B. Player C to work for 30 seconds then rotate i.e A to C, C to B, and B to A.

Partners stand opposite each other and throw a ball back and forth, trying to see how many catches they can make in a given time (e.g. 1 minute).

Player 1 rolls the ball out for 2 to run in and flicks the ball back to 1 who catches it and puts it down. Player 3 then rolls the ball out towards 1, who runs towards 3, flicks the ball at 3 who catches it and puts the ball down. On completing the throw you join the opposite queue. Aim: First team to take 15 catches wins. If you drop one you go back to 0.

In groups of 4 with one ball. One player throws the ball up for the front player in the line to come forward and catch the high ball. After catching the ball the player throws the ball back to the initial thrower and goes to the back of the line of players catching the ball.

2 Teams, 2 Balls. One of the teams starts throwing the ball to each other. The other team then throws the ball around to try and overtake the ball from team 1. This practice works best with about 4 - 5 players per team.

Set up in groups of 4. The worker (A) stands inside a 3x3m box. Each corner has a different colour cone. Other players include a feeder (player B), one post player (player D), and one runner (player C). The drill: The aim is to for player A to take a catch on the move, and produce a quick accurate throw to the post. Player D is in charge of the drill and they call out a colour of the cones. Player A uses quick feet to get around that cone. Player B can feed the ball at any point after the colour has been called. Player C can run to the post as soon as the ball has been fed. Player A completes the catch and throws the ball to player D to try and run out player C.

One player on post and another player on each side deep. The ball is fed in. If the ball goes to the middle then the middle player gets it. If it goes left the left player gets it If it goes right the right player gets it. The player with the ball rolls it back to the feeder. After a set amount of repetitions players rotates.

Set up: Players work in group of 6 or 8 (there are 5 players in the video but this drill works better when in groups of 6 or 8). The drill: One player feeds whilst the other players run towards the feeder. The first player in line runs out and ducks underneath the ball. The next player then runs out and catches the ball. After ducking or catching players should continue to run towards the feeder and then to the back of the line (the player who makes the catch should throw the ball back to the feeder).

One player is fielding deep. The ball is fed to them to catch and then throw to post. They player who caught the ball follows the ball to the post and the player on the post runs the ball into the feeder. Players rotate.

Catching and throwing the ball on while standing on a rocker board.