A shoestring catch is a running catch made just before a sinking line drive or blooper hits the ground, down near the fielder’s shoe tops. To make one, charge hard with a quick first step, keep your eyes on the ball, turn your glove so the fingers point down and the palm faces the ball, and catch it out in front of your body before it lands. Just as important as the technique is the decision: a missed shoestring attempt can turn a single into extra bases, so good outfielders weigh the score, the outs and the runners before committing. This guide covers the technique, the decision-making, the rules on catches versus traps, and drills to build confidence.
Health note: This article is general information, not medical advice. Charging and sliding or diving for low balls can cause jammed fingers, wrist, shoulder and knee injuries. Practice on soft grass, build up gradually and seek medical attention for injuries, especially any blow to the head.
Rulebook note: Whether a play is a catch or a trap is judged by the umpire under the rules of your code, such as NFHS, NCAA or USA Softball. Generally, the ball must be caught before it touches the ground and held securely. Check your league’s rulebook for the exact definition.
Go for it or play it safe
| Situation | Typical decision |
|---|---|
| Winning or tied late, runners in scoring position | Often safer to play the ball on a hop |
| Two outs, no runners on | More freedom to go for the catch |
| Backup outfielder nearby | Safer to attempt |
| Ball clearly short of your reach | Play the hop and hold the runner to a single |
| Losing late, need an out badly | Coaches may want you to be aggressive |
| Fast runner at the plate, nobody on | A missed catch may cost extra bases; weigh the risk |
Teams often discuss these decisions before the game, and some coaches give outfielders simple guidelines. The key question is: what happens if I miss? If a miss means the winning run scores, playing it safe is usually better. If a miss only costs a base with nobody on, the reward of an out may be worth the risk.
Reading the ball
Shoestring catches start with a good read off the bat. Low line drives and bloopers that are hit softly tend to sink quickly. Watch the ball’s trajectory and speed as it leaves the bat; a ball that is hit on a flat line and losing height fast is a candidate for a shoestring attempt. A quick, accurate read gives you more time to get to the ball and make a controlled catch.
Step-by-step technique
- Take a quick first step in as soon as you read a sinking ball.
- Sprint hard on the balls of your feet, keeping your eyes on the ball.
- Get low by bending your knees, rather than bending at the waist, as you approach.
- Turn your glove over, with the fingers pointing down and the palm facing the ball.
- Reach out in front so you catch the ball before it reaches the ground.
- Watch the ball into the glove and close it firmly.
- Secure the ball with your throwing hand if possible.
- Keep running through the catch to stay balanced, then look to throw.
Glove position
For balls below the waist, the glove fingers should point down with the palm facing the ball. For balls above the waist, the fingers point up. A shoestring catch is almost always a fingers-down catch. Keep the glove open and relaxed until the ball arrives, then close it firmly. Catching the ball in the webbing or pocket, rather than the palm, helps it stay in the glove.
Sliding and diving catches
Some shoestring catches require a slide or a dive. A feet-first slide, similar to a baserunning slide, lets you get low and reach the ball while staying relatively safe. Diving head-first is riskier and should only be attempted by players who have practiced it and are confident in their technique. In either case, lead with the glove, keep your eyes on the ball and protect your throwing hand. Avoid landing on an outstretched arm, which can injure the shoulder or wrist.
Catch vs trap
A shoestring catch is one of the plays most likely to create a close call. If the ball touches the ground before it enters the glove, it is a trap, not a catch, even if the fielder holds it afterward. Umpires watch closely, and the call can be difficult from a distance. Fielders should play through the catch and hold up the ball to show it, but they should also be honest in their own play. If you are unsure whether you made the catch, look to throw the ball to the correct base immediately, as runners may be advancing.
Communicating and backing up
Before attempting a shoestring catch, communicate with teammates. Call for the ball loudly if you are going for it. The nearest outfielder should back you up by running behind you at an angle, so if the ball gets past you, they can limit the damage. Infielders going back for the ball should listen for your call and peel off. Clear communication prevents collisions and ensures someone is always behind the play.
After the catch
Once you make the catch, get ready to throw. Runners may have taken off, thinking the ball would drop. Look for the right base and throw to the cutoff or base quickly and accurately. If you make a catch on a slide, get up as quickly as possible and throw. Double plays are possible when runners are caught off base.
Drills
- Low toss drill: A coach tosses sinking balls in front of the fielder, who charges and catches them fingers down.
- Line drive reads: A coach hits low line drives so outfielders practice reading and charging.
- Decision drill: The coach calls a game situation, hits a sinking ball and the outfielder decides whether to attempt the catch or play the hop.
- Slide catch drill: Practice feet-first sliding catches on soft grass.
- Backup drill: Two outfielders practice attempts and backups together.
Common mistakes
- Slow first step, leaving you short of the ball.
- Bending at the waist instead of the knees.
- Glove fingers up on a low ball.
- Taking the eyes off the ball just before the catch.
- Going for it in the wrong situation, turning a single into extra bases.
- No backup from the nearest outfielder.
- Diving without practice, increasing injury risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shoestring catch?
A running catch made just before a sinking ball hits the ground, near the fielder’s shoe tops.
When should an outfielder go for a shoestring catch?
When the risk of missing is acceptable, such as with two outs and nobody on, or when a teammate is backing up. In close games with runners in scoring position, playing the ball on a hop is often safer.
Is it a catch if the ball hits the ground first?
No. If the ball touches the ground before it is secured in the glove, it is a trap, not a catch.
