Teaching young infielders to master the backhand play is one of the trickiest parts of coaching youth baseball or softball. While many players can position their glove correctly and stay low to the ground, they often struggle with one critical element—timing. Getting the timing right is what separates an average backhand from a smooth, confident play.
What Proper Backhand Timing Looks Like
For right-handed players, the correct backhand technique begins with planting the right foot firmly while allowing the left foot (the glove-side foot) to move through the ball. This movement should flow naturally, allowing the fielder to stay balanced and make an accurate throw.
To do this effectively, players need enough space between their body and the incoming ground ball. Without that distance, the fielder loses the ability to execute smooth footwork and proper glove positioning.
A useful drill to reinforce this timing is the “right-foot balance” or “flamingo drill.” This exercise helps players gain control on their back leg while developing a sense of rhythm and balance as they approach the ball. The goal is for the left foot to touch the ground just before the ball enters the glove—creating the perfect synchronization between movement and contact.
Why Timing Is So Hard to Master
Backhand timing is all about precision, and small mistakes can throw the entire play off balance.
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If the footwork happens too late, the fielder gets jammed by the ball and loses the ability to stay athletic through the catch.
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If the footwork happens too early, the player becomes stiff and loses rhythm because their body stops moving before the ball arrives.
Interestingly, stiffness usually occurs only when both feet are still. As long as one foot is moving, the player remains dynamic and ready to adjust.
Coaching Tips to Improve Backhand Timing
1. Beat the ball to the spot
Instead of drifting toward the ball, get set early. Plant your right foot quickly so you can stay stable and ready to move through the ball, not chase it.
2. Match the rhythm of your routine fielding
Maintain the same tempo you’d use for a standard ground ball. The brief pause between setting your right and left foot is what creates smooth timing and consistency.
3. Keep the ball in front of your glove foot
As your left foot moves through the ball, make sure the ball is still in front of that lead foot. This gives you enough room to make a clean backhand play—similar to creating space in your swing when hitting.
The Key Takeaway
Improving your backhand comes down to giving yourself time. Fielders who learn to control their rhythm and spacing gain confidence and fluidity in their movements. With the right drills and repetition, that awkward, rushed backhand turns into a natural, reliable part of your defensive game.
Mastering timing doesn’t happen overnight, but when it clicks, it transforms the way young players approach every ground ball that comes their way.
