Offensive Fielding

So far we have been concerned with the basic technique of defensive fielding, but there is an offensive technique as well, at which every boy must aim if he aspires to be a real fielder. In this the object is to receive the ball in such a position that the throw in can follow immediately; indeed can almost be regarded as the last phase of a single process.
 In attack the fielder must:

(1)    Intercept the line of the ball as early as possible: this means moving not only on to it but in to it.

(2)    Get sideways to the line with the left foot carried rather away from the right.

(3)    Bend both hips and knees so that the head can come and stay down over, or just in front of the right knee.

(4)     Receive the ball in both hands just in front of the right foot and with the weight of the body on that foot

For the maximum speed of return, he will have to risk using one hand and aim to pick up the ball just in front of his right foot. By so doing, he will be able, without further adjustment of feet or Body to begin the mechanism of the throw.

But this is a refinement of the basic technique of fielding and should not be taught until the essentials are mastered; even then it will probably be followed with success only by the naturally gifted and well- co- ordinate boy.

In either practice the essence of safe  fielding is that the head  should get  down  on to the line of  focus and  then be kept still so as to  watch the ball right into  the hands.