How to Teach a Seven Year Old to Field a Baseball

Baseball can be a fun game for people of all ages, and players should learn the fundamentals as early as possible. Age 7 is an excellent time for a child to master the basics of how to grab or field a baseball. Teaching a 7-year-old this skill is relatively simple. The key is to focus on the mechanics of how the player positions his body during the act of fielding.

Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the child the proper way to position himself to field the ball: a position known as "the triangle." To teach the triangle, have the child stand with his feet shoulder width apart, then have him touch the ground with his glove, with the palm facing upward. If done correctly, the glove, left foot and right foot should form the points of a triangular shape.

    • 2

      Train the child in how to correctly use his non-gloved hand during fielding. While the gloved hand is on the ground with the palm facing upward, the non-gloved hand should be about 12 inches above it and open with the palm facing downward. After the ball is scooped up in the glove, the other hand should clamp down on top of the ball to ensure that it doesn't come out.

    • 3

      Work with the 7-year-old on proper fielding mechanics. Instruct the child not to lock her knees or elbows while fielding, because the body will become more rigid and less mobile. Instead, the knees and elbows should be slightly bent. If the ball bounces on the ground before the player can get to it and changes direction, the child won't be locked in place and can go after the ball quickly.

    • 4

      Instruct the child in proper footwork. Show the player how to shuffle from side to side to keep up with a baseball that's coming in his general direction, instead of turning his entire body and running to the left or right. Shuffling can be more efficient than turning and running, because it helps players keep eye contact with the ball. Practice proper footwork by lining the child up and having him practice shuffling toward each side until he can do it smoothly and without stumbling.