mittestacking

Mittestacking is a training drill described in coaching resources as a method to improve hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and grip control by using multiple catching mitts arranged in stacked or staggered configurations. The practice aims to create variable target surfaces and visual cues, encouraging players to adjust their catching technique under changing conditions.

The concept appears in online coaching guides and community league materials dating from the 2010s. It is not widely standardized in peer-reviewed literature, and descriptions of setup and progression vary by source. In typical descriptions, mitts are placed on a flat surface or elevated with supports to form a stack or tiered pattern, and athletes perform catching or reaction drills using balls, soft practice implements, or foam targets.

Methods and variants commonly described include vertical stacks, horizontal rows, and staggered arrangements. Drills may involve catching from random angles, reacting to deflections off the stack, or transferring a ball from one mitt to another during a sequence. Typical equipment includes standard baseball or softball mitts and light training balls or beanbags. Progressions often scale difficulty by changing stack height, distance, or ball speed, and may be adapted for different age or skill levels.

Applications and limitations: mittestacking is used in youth and amateur baseball and softball to supplement standard drills, warm-ups, and cognitive-mocap style training. Critics note the lack of extensive empirical evidence for superior efficacy compared with traditional drills and caution that improper setup could cause finger or wrist strain. Practitioners emphasize supervision, proper warm-up, and gradual progression.

See also: hand-eye coordination training, reaction time drills, sports training equipment.