Strengthen your infielders with the ‘Hubba Dubba’ drill
Hubba Dubba is an infield drill that includes every throw an infielder has to make, with the exception of the “slow roller.” The drill teaches communication, team unity and enthusiasm while improving arm strength and accuracy.
DIAGRAM 1: The catcher throws clockwise to each infielder. The infielder returns the throw to the catcher, simulating a play at the plate. Everyone touches the ball.DIAGRAM 2: The catcher throws to third, third throws to second and second throws to first, turning the double play. First throws to the shortstop, who returns the ball to the catcher. Everyone touches the ball.
DIAGRAM 3: The catcher throws back to the shortstop, who flips the ball to second. The second baseman fakes a throw to first before turning and throwing to third (a backthrow to catch a player who overran third base). The third baseman throws across the infield to first, who throws back to the catcher. Everyone touches the ball.
DIAGRAM 4: The catcher throws to second, who flips to the shortstop. The shortstop fires the ball to first, turning the double play, and first throws across the infield to third. Third throws back to the catcher, and again all players have touched the ball.
DIAGRAM 5: The catcher throws to first (a skill necessary for a dropped third strike). First throws to the shortstop, who fakes a return throw to first before firing to third base to catch a player who might have overrun third base. Third throws to second, and second throws home, as he might in a first/third double steal.
DIAGRAM 6: The catcher throws a popup over the pitcher’s mound, and infielders call for the ball. A player makes the catch, everyone touches gloves and sprint off the field.
Coaches can add a tag after every catch, with the exception of Diagram 1. Timing the drill can make it more competitive and effective.
Scouts like this drill to evaluate arm strength. We sometimes do the drill as a pregame warmup, and when done at a high level it can rattle opponents.
Pat Higgins coached baseball nearly 50 years at various levels and retired with 519 wins as a head coach.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
