TBL Coaching Packet Coaching youth sports can be one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. It can also be one of the most frustrating. For the most part, once everything is said and done, the positive memories outweigh the negative. Above all else you’ll remember the smiles on the kids’ faces and the progress that they made. As a volunteer coach we understand that there are a number of demands on your time that can make it difficult to balance your family life with games and practices, keeping the kids happy, and communicating with parents. We are hoping that this packet can arm you with enough information and resources to make the coaching experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
TBLCoachingPacketCoachingyouthsportscanbeoneofthemostrewardingexperiencesimaginable.Itcanalsobeoneofthemostfrustrating.Forthemostpart,onceeverythingissaidanddone,thepositivememoriesoutweighthenegative.Aboveallelseyou’llrememberthesmilesonthekids’facesandtheprogressthattheymade.Asavolunteercoachweunderstandthatthereareanumberofdemandsonyourtimethatcanmakeitdifficulttobalanceyourfamilylifewithgamesandpractices,keepingthekidshappy,andcommunicatingwithparents.
Wearehopingthatthispacketcanarmyouwithenoughinformationandresourcestomakethecoachingexperienceassmoothandenjoyableaspossible.
ParentsMeetingWehighlyrecommendthatyousetasidetimeatyourfirstpractice(orholdaseparategettogether)todiscussthecomingseasonwiththeparents.Thismeetinggivesyouanopportunitytosetthestageforseason,answermostoftheirinitialquestionsandeliminateatleastsomeofthepotentialissuesyoucanencounter.Herearesomeitemstoaddress:
• Introduceyourselfandanyassistantcoacheso Givebackgroundaboutyourself,whyyou’recoaching,yourexperienceinthesport/
coachingo Requestparenthelpersforpracticesandgames
• Presentabriefoverviewofyourcoachingphilosophy.o Describeatypicalpracticeo Theemphasisyougivetosportsmanshipvs.winning,havingfun,andhelping
athletesdevelopphysically,psychologically,andsociallyo Playtime
• Describetheprogramyouwillbeconductingo Howlongarepractices?o Howoftenandwhendoestheteampractice?o Howlongistheseason?o Howmanygameswilltherebe?Arecancelledgamesrescheduled?o Whatequipment/appareldoeseachathleteneedtopurchase?o Howwillyoucommunicatewiththeparents?o Whattimetheyshouldplantoarrivebeforegames?
• Layoutanyteamrulesorconductexpectationso Sportsmanshipexpectations
§ Treatmentofplayers,coaches,umpireso Parentexpectations
§ Besupportiveofeffortoverresults§ Keepwinninginperspective,andhelpyourchilddothesame.§ Helpyourchildsetrealisticperformancegoals.§ Informofanymedicalorphysicalailmentsthatyourchildhasthatcoachneeds
tobeawareof§ Teamsnack
• Anyquestionsfromparents
GoalsCoachesmustsetgoalsfortheirteamsandcelebrateallsuccesses,smallandlarge.Therearegeneralgoalsthatcutacrossallagelevelsandthereareage-specificgoals.Ifthesegoalsareaccomplished,regardlessoftheultimatewin-lossrecord,theseasonshouldbeconsideredasuccess.
AllAgesThesearethebasicgoalsthatallbaseballcoachesshouldstrivetoaccomplishwiththeirteams.Asacoach,continuallyaskyourselfthesequestionstohelpdetermineifyou’reontherighttrack.
1. AretheKidsHavingFun?
Baseballisagame.Itshouldbefun.Dotheymovequicklytothefieldwhentheyarriveordotheyhavetobeforcedtoplay?Istherealotoflaughterandenergyorarethekidslethargic?Dotheyasktostayandpracticeorplaylongeroraretheyhappytoleaveorwanttoleaveearly?
2. AretheKidsImproving?
Oneofthemostrewardingthingsaboutcoachingisseeingtheplayersimprove.Kidshaveaninnatedesiretolearnandimprove.Whenthey’resuccessful,andthosesuccessesarecelebrated,thethirsttolearnincreases.
3. AretheKidsLearning?
Whencoaching,especiallywhendealingwithskillsthatbuildononeanother,it’simportanttoreviewandmakesurethatplayershavegraspedtheinitiallesson/skillbeforeyouintroducesomethingmorecomplex.
DivisionSpecificGoals
TBall(Instructional)1. Learningthebasicrules–therightdirectiontorun;runnersmusttouchthebases;howto
recordouts;runningthroughfirstbase;scoringarun2. Throwingmechanics–turnthebodysothatfrontshoulderpointstotarget;keeptheelbow
abovetheshoulder;steptowardtargetwithnonthrowingfootandrelease3. Tracking–followtheballwiththeeyesintotheglove,whetheronthegroundorintheair;use
twohandstocatchandfield;trytocatchtheballoutinfrontofthebody4. Hitting–howtoholdandswingthebat;battingsafety(whennottoswing,helmets);hittingoff
atee;hittingsoftlytossedpitches5. Learningpositionalplay–learningthepositionsandwheretheyareonthefield;learntofield
ballsonlyhitinthe“areaofcoverage”forthatposition(donotchaseballsnomatterwheretheyarehit)
CoachPitch(I&II)1. Learningrules-forceouts;taggingup;baserunning(whenyoudon’thavetorun;notrunning
intoorpastteammates);ballsandstrikes(CP2focus)2. Throwingmechanics-introducethefour-seamgrip;pointshoulder,stepandthrow;introduce
theconceptofgainingmomentumtotargetandfollowingthethrow3. CatchingandFielding–thrownandhitballs;fingersupversusfingersdown;fieldingposition
“triangle”(buttdown,feetshoulderwidthapart,handsoutfrontoffeet);introduceunderhandflip;firstbasefundamentals
4. Hitting–choosingtherightbat;propergrip;hittingpitchedballs;introducedrillwork(tee,softtoss,shorttoss)
5. Learningpositionalplay–learnthepositionsandtheareaseachplayershouldcover;coverthenearestbasewhentheballisnothittoyou(secondbasecovering);introducepitchercoveringfirst(CP2);basicsofcutoffsandrelays
Juniors1. Learningrules–infieldflyrule;balks2. Baserunning–leads;steals;extra-basehits3. Pitchingandthrowingmechanics–wind-upversusstretch;four-seamgrip;shuffle,throw,
follow;pitchercoveringfirst4. Hitting–repetitions;drillwork(tee,softtoss,lobtoss);bunting5. Learningteamfundamentals–cutoffsandrelays;basicbuntdefenses;basicfirst-third
situations;underhandflipanddoubleplays;defendingthesteal;infieldandoutfieldcommunication
Minors1. Throwingmechanicsandpitching–emphasisongeneratingmomentumtowardthetargetand
followingthethrow(largerfield);breakingballs;change-ups;pitchingmechanicsandusingthebodyeffectively(longerdistance);pickoffmechanics;introductiontolongtoss
2. Hitting–introducesituationalhitting(inside-outswing;hittingbehindrunners;hitandrun;productiveouts);sacrificebuntingversusbuntingforahit;understandingthecountandlikelypitches
3. Baserunning–firstandthirdsituations;stealbreaks;delayedsteals;readingsituationsandreactingtothem
4. Fielding–generatingmomentumtowardtargetwhennecessary;crossoveranddropsteps;backhandsandwhentousethem;pitchercoveringfirst;infieldcommunication
5. Learningteamfundamentals–pickoffplays;fullbuntdefenses;fullfirst-thirddefenses;pop-upandflyballpriorities;doubleplaysandunderhandflips
Majors1. Throwingmechanicsandpitching–longtoss;continuemasteringbreakingandoff-speed
pitches;throwingforaccuracy;generatingmomentumtowardthetargetandfollowingthethrow;pickoffmechanics
2. Hitting–mentalaspects(hitterscountversuspitcherscount);two-strikehitting;aggressiveversusdefensiveswings;situationalhitting;productiveouts;advancedgamesituationsanddefenses
3. Baserunning-one-wayleads;goingonfirstmove;reactingtobattedballs;tag-upsituations;third-baserules;no-out,one-outandtwo-outrules
4. Fielding–understandingandadaptingtoplayingconditions(grassversusdirt,sun,badfields);fencedrill(outfield);crossoveranddropsteps;doordieplaysattheplate;preventingrunnersfromtakingextrabases;communicatingbetweenpitches
5. Learningteamfundamentals–cutoffsandrelays(trailer);advancedpickoffplays;advancedgamesituationsanddefenses
PracticePlansThefollowingsectioncontainssamplepracticeplans.Usetheseasatemplateforrunninganeffectivepracticeandswapoutthedrillsforonesspecifictothefundamentalsyouwanttofocusonforyourteam.
TBall60MinutePractice(A)
5mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps
5mins Runthebases
§ Runningthroughfirstbase§ Playfollowtheleaderaroundthebasepaths
30mins Stations(3Groups,10minutesperthenrotate)
§ HittingStation:Stance,Grip,BattingTee§ Catching:Twohands,OpenPocket§ Throwing:Playcatch,throwingfundamentals
15mins FunActivity/Gameandreview
§ Havearelayracearoundthebasesinteams§ Letkidsslideintohomeplatetofinish(w/pants)
60MinutePractice(B)
5mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps
5mins FormRunningGames
§ Runrelayraceswiththeplayersdoinghighknees,butt-kickers,skipping
30mins Stations(3Groups,10minutesperthenrotate)
§ HittingStation:BattingTee§ Fielding:Stancedrill§ Throwing:Playcatch,throwingfundamentals
15mins Playascrimmageorotherinstructionalgame
§ Playwithinfieldonly–otherplayersarerunners§ Allowplayerstotryeachposition(rotatefromrunnertopitcherto1stto2ndto
SSto3rdtorunner)§ Haveaparentorcoachassistwith1stbase
CoachPitchI&II
90MinutePracticePlan
Note:Ifyoufeelyourteamcanhandle120minutes–addanadditionalteamdrillandaskillsdrill(throwing,fielding,catching).
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding)
10mins Baserunning
§ BigLeagueBaserunningDrill
10mins ThrowingorCatchingDrills
§ Properthrowing(pointshoulder,elbowaboveshoulder)§ 4SeamGripThrowing§ Onekneethrowing§ OpenPocketDrill§ FingersUp,FingersDownDrill
45mins Stations(3Groups,15minutesperstation)
§ HittingStation:CoachPitch§ HittingStation:(Pickone)
o SoftToss,HittingTee§ FieldingStation:(Pickone)
o InfieldDrills,OutfieldDrills
15mins TeamDrill/RulesSession/FunDrill/Review
§ TeamInfieldDrill(orsituationaldrill)§ ReviewRules§ Relayrace,practicesliding§ Reviewskillsandmentalsituationaldrills
Juniors
120MinutePracticePlan
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding)
20mins Baserunning
§ BigLeagueBaserunning§ BentLegSlidingDrill
30mins FieldingStations:(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ GroundBalls;Backhand/Forehand;ShortHop;Chargingtheball§ FlyBallFootwork§ OutfieldAgility
PitcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ DryRunPitching(fundamentals)§ TargetThrowing
CatcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ CatcherStance§ BallintheDirt§ Stepandthrow
30mins HittingStations(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ CoachPitch§ BattingTee§ SoftToss,LobToss
15mins TeamDrill
§ TeamInfieldDrill(orsituationaldrill)
15mins Controlledgameorgamesituations
Minors
120MinutePracticePlan(A)
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding)
20mins Baserunning
§ LeadOff§ BentLegSliding
30mins OutfieldFundamentals:(breakoutseparately)
§ GroundBalls§ FlyBallFootwork§ OutfieldAgility
InfieldFundamentals:(breakoutseparately)
§ Gainingmomentumtotarget§ Backhand§ ShortHop
PitcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ DryRunPitching(fundamentals)§ TargetThrowing§ PivotFootandStrideFootBalanceDrills
CatcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ CatcherStance§ BuntFielding
30mins HittingStations(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ CoachPitch§ BattingTee§ SoftToss,LobToss
15mins TeamDrill
§ ScolinasDrill
15mins Controlledgameorgamesituations
120MinutePracticePlan(B)
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding,runningbackward)
15mins Baserunning
§ BigLeagueBaserunning§ BentLegSlidingDrill
60mins GameSituationalFielding
Gothroughalldrills,rotatingplayersin.Inactiveplayerscanbeusedasrunners.
• Pitchersand1stbasemen• Pitchers,1stbasemenand2ndbasemen• Pitchers,1st,2ndandSS• Pitchers,Catchers,1stand3rdbasemen• Pitchers,SS,3rdbasemenandOutfielders• PitchersandCatchers
30mins HittingStations(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ CoachPitch§ BattingTee§ SoftToss,LobToss
5mins TeamDiscussion
• MentalSituations• FunActivity
Majors
120MinutePracticePlan(A)
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding)
20mins Baserunning
§ LeadOff§ BentLegSliding
30mins OutfieldFundamentals:(breakoutseparately)
§ GroundBalls§ FlyBallFootwork§ OutfieldAgility
InfieldFundamentals:(breakoutseparately)
§ Gainingmomentumtotarget§ Backhand§ Barehand
PitcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ DryRunPitching(fundamentals)§ TargetThrowing§ PivotFootandStrideFootBalanceDrills
CatcherFundamentals(breakoutseparately)
§ CatcherStance§ BuntFielding
30mins HittingStations(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ CoachPitch§ BattingTee§ SoftToss,LobToss
15mins TeamDrill
§ TeamInfieldDrill(orsituationaldrill)
15mins ControlledGameorGameSituations
120MinutePracticePlan(B)
10mins Stretching
§ Hamstrings,quads,shoulders,triceps§ Formrunning(highknees,butt-kickers,bounding,runningbackward)
15mins Baserunning
§ LeadOff;BigLeagueBaserunning§ BentLegSlidingDrill
60mins GameSituationalFielding
Gothroughalldrills,rotatingplayersin.Inactiveplayerscanbeusedasrunners.
• Pitchersand1stbasemen• Pitchers,1stbasemenand2ndbasemen• Pitchers,1st,2ndandSS• Pitchers,Catchers,1stand3rdbasemen• Pitchers,SS,3rdbasemenandOutfielders• PitchersandCatchers
30mins HittingStations(3Groups,10minsperstation)
§ CoachPitch§ BattingTee§ SoftToss,LobToss
5mins TeamDiscussion
• MentalSituations• FunActivity
DRILLS
RUNNING
FormRunningLineyourplayersupatonesideofthefieldandtakethemthroughthefollowingprogression.Thesedrillswillhelpyourplayerslearntorunmoreefficiently,andalsoprovideavaluablewarm-upbeforeyourbaseball-specificbaserunningdrills.•Highknees:Leanslightlyforward,pumpthearms,andrun,drivingthekneeshighwhilekeepingthetoesflexedupward.Drivethehandsandarmstocounter-balancethebodyandonlycontactthegroundwiththeballofthefoot.•Buttkickers:Runforwardwhiletryingtokickyourselfintheglutewithyourheeloneachstride.Focusonkeepingtherestofyourbodystillandsimplyflickingyourlowerlegbackward.•Grapevines:Standinguprightwithyourheadandtorsofacingforward,movelaterallyinonedirectionbyplacingyourtrailingleginfrontoftheleadleg.Thenmovetheleadleginthatsamelateraldirectionandplacethetrailingleginfrontoftheleadleg.Maintainafluidmotionwithyourarmsrotatingintheoppositedirectionfromthelegs.•Bounding:Useanexaggeratedskippingmotiontothrustyourbodyintotheairoffoneleg,thentheother.Thefocusshouldbeonapowerfulleapintotheairandaquick(butnotsuperfast)cadence.Yourarmmotionshouldbesyncedtotheoppositeleg’saction,holdingsteadyforthebriefmomentwhileyou’reofftheground.•RunningBackwards:Althoughitwillseemawkwardatfirst,trytoreplicateyourforwardrunningmotionwhilemovingbackward.You’llstillbepushingoffofyourforefootandswingingyourarms,butyou’llbelungingbackwardwithyourhamstringsandusingcoremusclestostabilizedifferentlythanyou’reusedtowhilemovingforward.Focusonform,notonspeed.
BIGLEAGUEBASERUNNING
Objective:Toworkonvariousbaserunningsituationsandconditioning
Setup:Fieldwithbases
Execution:Playerslineupathomeplateandrunhometofirst,allthewaythroughthebag;thenimmediatelybreakdownandreturntothebag.Theythenshuffleoffoffirst,takeacrossoverstepandrunfirsttothird(slideintothirdisoptional);thenjoghome.Playerslineupathomeagainandrunoutadouble(slidingisoptional).Theythengofromsecondtohometosimulatescoringonahit.Playersthenrunoutatriple(slidingintothirdisoptional),andjogbacktohome.
Emphasisisonmakingaproperturnateachbaseaswellashittingthebasesinstride.Ifplayersarehavingtroublemakingthecorrectturnsandtakingaproperroutetothenextbase,setupconesorcoachestohelpwiththeproperpaths.
HEADTOHEAD
Setup:Fieldwithbases
Execution:Oneplayer(a)startsatsecond,andtheotherstartsathome(b).Coachyells“Go.”PlayerArunsfromsecondtohomewhilePlayerBrunsfromhometosecond.Bothplayersshouldslideintotheirbases.Whoevergetstotheirbasefirstwins.
Pointoutplayerswhoadheretoproperfundamentalsandrunthebaseswelloverwhowinsorloses.
LEADDRILL
Setup:Create3or4linesofplayersintheoutfield,facingthecoach.Execution:Onthecoachessignal,thefirstrowofplayerswillgetintotheleadoffpositionfacinghomeplate.Onasecondsignal,theplayerswilltaketwolateralshufflesteps,thenmakeacrossoverstep,bringingtheleftfootinfrontoftherightfoot,turnthetorsoandshouldersandsprintforabout60yards.Oncetheyreachtheotherendthenextgroupofplayerscango.CoachingPoints•Intheleadposition,theplayershouldbedowninanathleticstancewiththefeetslightlywiderthanshoulderwidthapart,theweightontheinsidesofthefeet,andhandshangingloosebetweenthisknees.Balanceisimportant-youshouldbeabletoboltforthenextbaseordivebackifnecessary.•Asyouextendyourleadawayfromthebase,usesmallshufflesteps.Takinglongstepsorcrossingyourlegsovercanputyoumomentarilyoff-balance,andthereforemakesyouvulnerabletoapick-off.Onlymakethecrossoverwhenyou'vemadethedecisiontorunatfullspeedtowardthenextbase.•Avoidtakinga"falsestep"withtherightfootbeforemakingthecrossoverstep.Keeptherightfootplantedandpushofftogainmomentum
•Afterthecrossover,staylowforthefirst3or4steps,thenexplodeupwardsandforwardwhileextendingthestridelength
TURNTOTHEBASEDRILL
Setup:Create3or4linesofplayersintheoutfield,facingthecoach.Execution:Thegoalofthisdrillistohelptrainplayerstoturntheshouldersawayfromthenextbaseandgettheleftarmacrossthebody.Thisprovidesmoreleveragetoturnthehipsandfeetintheoppositedirectionandgetafaster,moreefficientturntothenextbase.Goinghalf-speed,thefirstplayerineachlinewilltakefivestepstowardthecoach.thenturnquicklyrotatehisshoulderstotherightandbringhisleftarmacrosshisbody,whilesimultaneouslyturninghishipsandfeettotheleft.Hewillthencontinueathalfspeedforfivemoresteps,thengotothebackoftheline.CoachingPoints•Keepthearmspumpingwitheachsteptomaintainbalance,andmaketheturninrhythm•Throwingthearmacrossthechestandturningtheshoulderisdonetohelpmakeasharpturn,butifitcreatesabreakinrhythm,itwillbecounterproductive•Thismovementwillfeelawkwardandunnaturalforsomekids.Exaggerateitinpracticetohelpdevelopmusclememory.
TURNINGFORTHEDOUBLEDRILL
Setup:Lineupyourplayersbehindhomeplate.Placeaconeabouthalfofthewaybetweenfirstandsecond.Execution:Onthecoach'ssignalthefirstplayerinlinewillsprintfromthebatter'sboxtofirstatfullspeed.Hewillmakeanaggressiveturntowardssecondbaseandcontinuetothecone,thenbreakdownintoapositionwherehecanreturntofirstorcontinuetosecondifhechooses.Assoonasthefirstplayertouchesthebag,thesecondplayerwillstartrunning,andsoon.CoachingPoints•Thegoalofthisdrillistotrainyourplayerstorunaggressivelytofirstbase,thenmakeanaggressiveturntowardssecond.•Attheyouthlevel,fieldingerrorsarecommon.Theaggressiveturnwillgiveyourplayerstheopportunitytoturnsinglesintodoublesiftheballisslowcominginfromtheoutfield•To"breakdown"atthecone,loweryourbase,getyourbutttowardtheground,keepthefeetmovingandyourheadonaswivel
BENTLEGSLIDINGDRILL
Setup:Haveyourplayersspreadoutonapatchofsoftgrasswitharound5-6feetofspacebetweenthem.Execution:Thecoachshouldgetonthegroundanddemonstratethepropertechniqueforabentlegslide,withyourplayersfollowingalong.Sitdownonyourbutt,keepingonelegstraight(withaslightflexintheknee)andtheotherlegbentunderneathintoa"figure4"position.Thehandsshouldbethrownbackandup,withtheheadup,watchingthetarget.Walkthroughthegroupofplayersandmakeadjustments,ensuringallplayershavethebasictechniquedown.Inphase2,wewillworkonslidingintoabasewhilerunning.Linetheplayersupandhavethemrun10-15feet,breakdown,thenslideintoabase.Astheplayerapproachesthebase,heshouldbegintosquatandshifthisbodyweightdowntowardthegrass.Withonelegstraightandonelegbent,rollbacktherearend,andsitonthegrasswithyourmomentumgoingforward.CoachingPoints•Thisdrillisperformedwiththeshoesofftohelpplayersgetcomfortablewiththetechniquewithouttheriskoftheircleatssnaggingonthegrass•Thefasteryougointotheslide,theeasieritisonyourbody.Ifyouslowdown,youhaveatendencytostickinthegroundandthere'smoreriskforinjury•Theplayershouldbeslidingonhisrearend,nothisside•Thestraightlegshouldhaveaslightbendinitandnotbecompletelylockedout.Thiswillpreventitfrom"sticking"inthegrassandpreventinjury•Makesuretopracticethisdrillinthesoftgrasstostart.Playerscanwearslidingshortsoranextrapairofsweatpantswhiletheyarelearningthetechnique•Tosimulatemoreofagamesituation,holdagloveandballononesideofthebase,andasktheplayertoslidetotheoppositesidetoavoidbeingtagged•Tomakeapop-upslide,keepthefrontfootupslightlyandcatchthebasewithyourheelasyouslidein.Yourmomentumwillpushyouuptowardandallowyoutostand.
HITTING
KEYPOINTS:• Stance–startingpoint;needvision,balance,andplatecoverage• Grip–loosegripinthefingerswiththe“doorknocking”knuckleslineduptounlockthewrists
andallowforgreaterbatspeed• Weightshift–weightshiftstothebackside,gatheringenergybeforebeingtakenforward;
Verbalcue“youhavetogobacktogoforward”• Stride–shortandsoft;towardthepitcher• Swing–shortandquick,usinghands,wristsandforearms• Follow-through–oneortwohands;takescareofitselfifallotherelementsofswingareinplace
CHOOSINGTHERIGHTBAT:• Length–totestifthelengthofabatisappropriate,standthebatuponitsend.Thehandle
shouldapproachtheplayerswaistorbellybutton• Weight–totestifabatistooheavy,havetheplayergrabthebatwithhisdominanthand.
Keepingthepalmfacingdown,theplayershouldtrytoholdthebatstraightoutinfrontofthebody.Withtheplayer’sarmfullyextended,looktoseeiftheplayerisstrongenoughtokeepthebatpointingawaywithoutlettingthetipfalltowardtothegroundfor10seconds.Iftheycankeepthebatup,theyarestrongenoughtoswingit.
DRYRUNHITTING
Setup:Spreadthehittersoutacrossthefieldwithatleast5stridesofspaceineverydirection.Eachplayerhasabatandfacesthecoach.Execution:Leadtheplayersthroughthephasesoftheswingoneatatime(relax-readyposition-stride-swing)ensuringeachplayerisusingthepropersequence.Calleachphaseoutoneatatime.Demonstratethedifferentmechanicsandswingpathfordifferenttypesofpitches.Complete5-10swingsforeachtypeofpitch.CoachingPoints•Tomaketheproperstride,trytellingyourplayersto"walkawayfromthehands."Thehandsstaybackwhilethefrontfootmakesasmallstepforward.Thestrideshouldbea"softstride"-with80%oftheweightonthebackfoot•Outsidepitch:keepthehipsslightlyclosed,trytomakecontactdeeperinthehittingzone,andhittheballtotheoppositefield.Middlepitch:openthehipsslightly,trytomakecontactinthemiddleoftheplate,andhittheballtocenterfield.Insidepitch:openthehipsevenmore,trytomakecontactoutinfrontoftheplate,andpulltheballoncontact
•Thebackhipalwaysgoestothetarget.Practiceplacingonehandonthebackhip,takingthestrideandpointingthefinger(andhip)inthedirectionyouwouldhittheball•Alwaysstridetothesamespotregardlessofthepitchlocation•Usevisualizationtohelpplayerspicturehowtheywillswingondifferenttypesofpitches•Lowpitch:takethesamestrideandkeepthehipsatthesamelevel.Adjustthehandslowertomakecontact.Highpitch:takethesamestrideandkeepthehipsatthesamelevel.Adjustthehandshighertomakecontact•Keepthehandsinsidetheballtocreateashorter,morecompactswing.Avoidloopingorcastingthebataroundtheplate.•Beshorttotheballandlongafteryouhitittogeneratemorepower.Extendthehandsoutwardandmakealongfollowthroughaftercontact.
BATTINGTEEDRILL
Setup:You'llneedabucketofballs,atee.Thehitterwillsetupovertheplateinhisnormalstance.Execution:Take5-10swingswiththeballinthemiddleoftheplate,practicinghittingtocenterfield.Take5-10swingswiththeballontheoutsideoftheplate,movingtheteefurtherbackinthehittingzone.Take5-10swingswiththeballontheinsideoftheplate,movingtheteeforwardinthehittingzone.CoachingPoints•Makesurethehitterseparatesthestrideandswing.Thiswillallowthemtositbackonoff-speedpitcheswithoutcommittingearly.•Tellthehittertotryandhitthe"outside"oftheballtopullit.Hitthe"inside"oftheballtogooppositefield.•Regardlessofthepitchlocation,thestanceshouldbesquaretotheplate.Insteadofopeningorclosingthestance,openorclosethehipsduringtheswingtoadjusttothelocationofthepitch.•Try"workingthefingers"duringtherelaxationstageoftheswing.Thiswillkeeptheplayersgriplooseandavoidstranglingthebatandstiffeningup.
SOFTTOSSDRILL
Setup:Bucketofballs,a“homeplate”.
Execution:Hittertakeshisstance;thetosserkneelsacrossfromthehitter,slightlyinfrontofhomeplateinfoulground,notinthedirectionthattheballwillbehit.Theballistossedunderhandsothehittercanhititoutinfrontoftheplate.
CoachPoints
• Hitterwantstoconcentrateonhavingaloosegripandknuckleslinedup
• Hittersshouldthink“loosehands,quickbat”• Ifhittersregettingjammedquiteabit,takealookatwherethetossesarecomingfromandare
beinghit.Whentheballiscomingdirectlyatthehitter,hehastodragthebattotheball,hittingitatalocationnotoutinfrontoftheplate.Thetossshouldcomefromanangleslightlyinfrontoftheplateandbestruckinfrontoftheplate.Thisallowsthewriststounlockandthebarrelofthebattogettotheball.
THROWING
KEYPOINTS• Useafourseamgrip• Taketheballdown,out,andupoutoftheglove(circularmotion)• Handabovetheballatfirst,shiftingtobehindtheballasreleaseapproaches• Elbowabovetheshoulder• Pointfrontshouldertowardtarget• Steptowardtarget• Releaseballandfollowthrough
ONEKNEEDRILL
Setup:Twoplayers(oraplayerandcoach)andaball
Execution:Thisdrillbreaksdowntheplayer’sarmactionandworksonkeepingtheirelbowattheproperlevel.Playersdroptheirthrowingsidekneetothegroundwiththeoppositekneeupandplaycatchatashortdistance.
CoachingPoints
• Use4seamgrip.• Concentrateonthetakingtheball,down,outandupfromtheglovekeepingtheelbowabove
theshoulder• Manyyoungplayersturntheirhandsoit’sundertheballbeforetheybringitup.Thisiscalled
“piethrowing.”Thisistheoppositeofthemosteffectivewaytothrowabaseball.Forplayersthatdothis,havethemstoptheirmotionjustbeforetheybringtheirarmforward.Havethemlookbackattheball.Ifdonecorrectlytheyshouldseethebackoftheirhand.Iftheyare“piethrowing”theywillseetheballwiththehandbehindit.
FOURSEAMGRIP
Setup:Lineyourplayersupfacingyou,eachonewithaballandaglove.Execution:Demonstratetheproperfourseamgrip:•Takethemiddleandindexfingersofyourthrowinghand,andplacethemperpendiculartothehorseshoeoftheseamsonthebaseball.The"horseshoeseam"shouldfaceintoyourringfingerofyourthrowinghand.NOTE:It'scalledthehorseshoeseamsimplybecausetheseamitselflooksliketheshapeofahorseshoe.•Next,placeyourthumbdirectlybeneaththebaseball,restingonthesmoothleather.Ideally,youshouldrestyourthumbinthecenterofthehorseshoeseamonthebottompartofthebaseball.•Gripthispitchsoftly,likeanegg,inyourfingertips.Thereshouldbea"gap"orspacebetweentheballandyourpalm.Thisisthekeytomakingagood,hardfour-seamthrowwithmaximalbackspinandvelocity.Aloosegripminimizes"friction"betweenyourhandandthebaseball.Thelessfriction,ofcourse,thequickerthebaseballcanleaveyourhand.Havetheplayerspracticethegripwiththeireyesopen,thenwiththeireyesclosed.Overtime,theywilldevelopamusclememoryand"feel"fortheball,whichwillallowthemtoestablishtheproperfour-seamgripinjustasplitsecond.Oncetheyhavethegripdown,separatethemintopairs,facingeachother,around20-30feetapart.10-15feetforyoungerkidsPracticecatchingtheball,establishingthefour-seamgrip,andthenthrowingitbacktoyourpartner.CoachingPointsAlwaysestablishthegripbeforepullingtheballoutoftheglove.Don'tallowyourplayerstofiddlewiththegripastheycockbacktothrow,asthisisamajorcauseofbobbledballsandcostlyerrors.
INFIELD(FIELDING)
KEYPOINTS• Createawidebasewiththefeet• Buttstaysdown;don’tbendonlyatthewaist;shouldlooklikesittinginachairbutwithweight
ontheballsofthefeet,nottheheels• Handsareoutinfrontofthefeet;seetheballintotheglove• Relaxwrists;fingerspointdownandonlythetipoftheglovetouchestheground
PRELIMINARYSTANCEDRILL
Setup:Lineupyourinfielderswitharound4-6feetofspacebetweenthem,facinghomeplate.Apitcherstandsatthemoundwithaball.
Execution:Onyoursignal,theplayerswilldropintothereadyposition,asdescribedbelow.Then,asthepitchergoesintohiswindup,theplayerswilltaketwoshortsteps,timedwiththepitchersdeliverysothesecondstephitsthegroundastheballisreleased.CoachingPoints•Inthereadyposition,thefielder'sfeetshouldbeslightlywiderthanshoulder-widthapart,withthekneesbentandtheweightovertheballsofthefeet.Hisheadshouldbefacinghispartnerwithhiseyesontheball.Thehandsshouldhanglowbetweenthelegs,withthegloveopenwide.Fromthisreadyposition,theplayercangetagoodjumpontheballandmovequicklyinthedirectionitishit.•Asthepitchisbeingdelivered,infieldersshouldbewatchingthedirectionandspeedoftheball,andreadingthehitter'sswing.•Aftertakingthesecondstep,leanslightlytowardthedirectiontheballislikelytobehit.Insidepitchesaremorelikelytobepulled,whileoutsidepitchesaremoreliketobehittotheoppositefield.
CHARGETHEBALLDRILL
Setup:Setupyourplayersontheouteredgeoftheinfieldbetweensecondandthirdbase,witharound4-6feetofspacebetweenthem,facinghomeplate.Foreachfielder,placeoneballonthegroundjustinsidethebasepath.Execution:Onyoursignal,theplayerswilldropintothereadyposition.Then,onyoursecondsignal,theywillchargetheirindividualball,breakdownintofieldingposition,pickitupwithbothhands,steptowardsfirstbaseandcockthearmtothrow.Inphase2,theplayerswilllineupsinglefilebehindshortstop.Coachwillrolltheballsoftlytowards,themandtheywillchargeit,fielditandmakeastrongthrowtofirst,usingthesamefundamentals.CoachingPoints•Thefieldershouldcircleslightlyaroundtheballsothathismomentumisgoingtowardsfirstbaseashefieldsit.Beaggressive,cometotheball,andgetasclosetothetargetaspossible.•Tofieldtheballofftheground,thefielder'skneesshouldbebentwithhisrearendloweredtokneelevel.Hisbackshouldbealmostparalleltotheground,andbotharmsshouldbeoutstretchedinfrontofthebody.•Thethrowingsidefootshouldbeslightlybehindtheglovesidefoot(thetoelinedupwiththearch)•Thebackofthefielder’sgloveshouldbeonthegroundwiththethrowinghandeitheraboveitoralongsideit.Thefielder’seyesshouldbefocusedontheball.•Thefieldershouldthenscooptheballupandtrapandtrapitwiththethrowinghand.Theplayerthencushionstheballtowardhisbodywith"soft"hands,bringingthehandstothebeltarea(thisiscalledfunnelingtheball)ashemovesintothrowingposition.•Afterretrievingtheball,thefielderwillcrossoverstepwiththethrowingsidefootashegripstheball,thensteptowardfirstwiththeglovesidefootashegoesintohisthrowingmotion•Coachshouldchecktheplayer'sgripafterhefreezes,makingsurehehasestablishedagoodfourseamgrip
GLOVEDRILL
Setup:Groupyourinfieldersintopairsandsetthemup,facingeachother,around10-15feetapart.Bothplayersarewearingtheirgloves,andstandinginanathleticstance.Oneplayerineachpairhastheball.Execution:Onthecoach'ssignal,theplayerwithouttheballwilldropdownintothereadyposition,whilehispartnerslowlyrollstheballalongthegroundinhisdirection.Thefielderwillthenrolltheballbacktohispartner.Throw10ballstothemiddle,10totherightand10totheleft.Then,havethethrowerthrowrandomlytodifferentdirections,maintainingtheslowspeedandkeepingtheballrollingalongthegroundlikeabowlingball.Inphase2ofthisdrill,partnersshouldthrowshort-hopsinsteadofgroundballs.CoachingPoints•Inthereadyposition,thefielder'sfeetshouldbeslightlywiderthanshoulder-widthapart,withthekneesbentandtheweightovertheballsofthefeet.Hisheadshouldbefacinghispartnerwithhiseyesontheball.Thehandsshouldhanglowbetweenthelegs,withthegloveopenwide.Fromthisreadyposition,theplayercangetagoodjumpontheballandmovequicklyinthedirectionitishit.•Theplayer'sfeetshouldstayplantedonthegroundthroughoutthedrill.Thefocusisonmovingtheglovetomeettheball•Makesurethefielder'sgloveispositionedwayoutinfrontofthebody.Themoreextensionthebetter.•Onlythetipofthefielder’sgloveshouldtouchthegroundwiththethrowinghandeitheraboveitoralongsideit.•Thefielder’seyesshouldbefocusedontheball.Whentheballarrives,theplayershouldwatchitintothegloveandthentrapitwiththethrowinghand.•Theplayerthencushionstheballtowardhisbodywith"soft"hands,bringingthehandstothebeltarea(thisiscalledfunnelingtheball)ashemovesintothrowingposition.•Tobackhandtheball,shifttheweighttowardthebackhandsidewhilekeepingthefeetplanted.Bringthegloveacrossthebody,andflipitinsideouttoopenthepockettowardtheball.
SHORTHOPDRILL
Setup:Groupyourinfieldersintopairsandsetthemup,facingeachother,around10-15feetapart.Bothplayersarewearingtheirgloves,andstandinginanathleticreadyposition.Oneplayerineachpairhastheball.Execution:Onthecoach'ssignal,theplayerswithouttheballwilldropdownintoreadypositionasdescribedabove.Theplayerwiththeballwillthrowasoft"short-hop"tohispartner,aimingtobouncetheballaround2feetinfrontofthefielder'stoes.Theplayerwillfieldtheshorthop,securetheball,thenthrowashorthopbacktohispartner.
CoachingPoints•Whenfieldingtheshorthop,theglovepositionisextremelyimportant.Thegloveshouldbeextendedoutdirectlyinfrontofthebody,reachingouttowardtheballwiththepalmup.•Thefieldershouldattempttocatchtheballimmediatelyafterithitstheground,whichwillreducetheunpredictabilityofabadhop.•Whentheballarrives,theplayershouldwatchitintothegloveandthentrapitwiththethrowinghand.Theplayerthencushionstheballtowardhisbodywith“soft”hands,bringingthehandstothebeltarea(thisiscalledfunnelingtheball)ashemovesintothrowingposition.•Makesurethegloveislowenoughtotheground,toavoidtheballpassingunderneathitandthroughthefielder’slegs
SCOLINASDRILL
Setup:Setupyourfullinfieldminusyourpitcherforthisdrill.Thecatcherbeginswiththeballbehindtheplate.Execution:Thisdrillrequiresacontinuousseriesofchoreographedthrows,oneafteranother.Whenteachingit,thecoachwillneedtoyelloutthethrowsonebyonetoremindtheplayersofthesequence.Overtime,theywillmemorizethesequenceandbeabletorunthedrillontheirown.Thesequencegoesasfollows:1.Catchertoshortstop(coveringsecondbase)2.Shortstoptofirstbase3.Firstbasetocatcher4.Catchertothirdbase5.Thirdbasetosecondbase(coveringsecondbase)6.Secondbasetofirstbase7.FirstbasetocatcherThatmakesonerotation.Seeifhowmanyrotationsyourplayerscanmakeinafixedtimelimit(30secondsto1minute)withoutmakinganerror.CoachingPoints•Throwtheballwithafourseamgrip•Practiceyourfootworksothatyouaremovingintoyournextthrowasyoucatchandgriptheball•Feelfreetovarythesequencetoworkonspecificfieldingsituations(i.e.doubleplays,forceoutsetc.)
DOUBLEPLAYDRILL
Setup:Youwillneedashortstop,secondbaseman,andfirstbasemanforthisdrill.Thecoachstandsatthepitcher’smound(forbeginners)orathomeplate(forexperiencedplayers)withtheball.Execution:Onthecoach’ssignal,theplayerswilldropdownintoreadyposition.Hewillthenrollagroundballtothesecondbaseman,whowillcheckhisdistancetothebag,theneithertagsecondbasehimselforthrowtotheshortstop.Aftertaggingsecond,thefielderwillmakethethrowtofirsttocompletethedoubleplay.Inphase2,thecoachwillrollagroundballtotheshortstop,whowillreadtheplay,theneithertagsecondbasehimselforthrowtothesecondbaseman.Aftertaggingsecond,thefielderwillmakethethrowtofirsttocompletethedoubleplay.Thecoachshouldvarythespeedandtypeofgroundball,givingtheplayeravarietyofshorthops,longhops,slowrollersandstraightgroundballs.Alsovarythedirectionoftheball,goingtotheleft,right,anddirectlyatthefielder.Formoreadvancedplayers,youcanrunthissamedrillhittingfungosfromhomeplate,insteadofrollingtheballfromthepitcher’smound.CoachingPoints•Theplayerfieldingtheballshouldcall“Ball”andtheplayercoveringsecondshouldcall“Bag”•Whencoveringsecondbase,thefieldershouldapproachitwithshortchoppysteps,andstayafewstepsoffthebaguntilthethrowisreleasedtohim.Thiswillallowhimtoadjusthisangleofapproachtocatchtheball,tagthebase,pivotandthrowinasmooth,continuousmotion•Trytotagthebagwiththeinsideofthefootandcontinuemomentumtowardsthefirstbasetarget•Onabadthrow,theplayercoveringsecondshould“thinklikeafirstbaseman”–gettingtheforceoutishis#1priority•Generalrulesforsecondbasemenandshortstops•1-2stepsfromthebag–tagityourself•3-4stepsfromthebag–makea“fluffy”underhandtoss•5-6stepsfromthebag–makeafirmunderhandtossorbackhand•Morethan6stepsfrombag–droptoonekneeandthrowoverhand•Ifthebaserunnerisgoingtocollidewithyouatsecond,trytogetslightlyairborneaftermakingthethrowtofirst.Thiswillpreventyoufromgettingyourcleatsstuckintheground,andreducetheriskofakneeoranklegettingjammedonimpact.•Onshortthrows,tryto“show”theballtoyourteammaterightoutofyourglove,whichwillhelphimtrackitintotheglovemoreeasily
OUTFIELD
KEYPOINTS• Gettothespotwheretheballwilllandquicklythengetthegloveup;donotdriftwiththeglove
up• Watchtheballintothegloveandcatchtheballabovetheheadusingtwohandswhenever
possible
• Trytomoveforwardslightlyasthecatchismade• Throwhopandgainmomentumtotarget
STATIONARYTHROWINGDRILL
Setup:Groupyouroutfieldersintopairsandsetthemup,facingeachother,around60feetapart.Bothplayersarewearingtheirgloves,andstandinginanathleticreadyposition.Thefeetshouldbeslightlywiderthanshoulderwidthapartwiththetoespointedtowardyourpartner.Oneplayerineachpairhastheball.Execution:Inthisthrowingdrill,theplayerswillplaycatchwhilekeepingtheirfeetfixedinanisolatedposition.Removingthestridewillhelpyourfieldersgeneratemorepowerthroughtheirhipsandtorso,gainmorearmextensiononthereleaseandfollowthrough,andimprovetheirthrowingmechanics.CoachingPoints•Outfieldersshouldalwaysuseafour-seamgripwhenthrowingtheball.Thebackspingeneratedwillhelptheballflystraightandtrue,andwillalsohelpone-hoppedthrowsbounceharderoffthegroundandstayontarget
OUTFIELDFOOTWORKDRILL
Setup:Theoutfielderswilllineupsinglefileintheoutfieldfacinghomeplate.Acoachstandsattheedgeoftheinfieldwithagloveandballs.Execution:Thecoachwillthrowasoftflyballtothefirstplayerintheoutfieldersline.Theplayerwillapproachtheflyballundercontrolthen,usingtheproperfootwork,catchtheballandimmediatelymoveintothisthrowingmotion,deliveringtheballbacktothecoach.Asyourplayersgetthehangofthefootwork,youcanmovethecoachtohomeplateandbeginhittingfungostotheoutfieldinsteadofthrowingtheflyballs.CoachingPoints• Keepthefeetmovingwithshortchoppystepsastheballisintheair,whichwillmakeiteasiertostepwiththecorrectfootasyoucatch.•Theproperfootworkrequiresthreestepsintotaltocatch,grip,andthrowtheball.•Step1:CATCH:Catchtheballwiththeglovesidefootforward•Step2:GRIP:Whileyougathertheballintoyourthrowinghand,takeasecondstepwiththethrowingsidefoot.•Step3:THROW:Asyougointoyourthrowingmotion,takeafinalstepwiththeglovesidefootandreleasetheballwithyourmomentumgoingforward.
•Foraright-handedfielder,thestepsequencewouldgoleft-right-left•Theoutfieldershouldwatchthepitchercarefully,andtimehismovementwiththepitcher’sdelivery.•Takearound2.5stepsforwardwitheachpitch,whichwillgetthefeetmovingandenabletooutfieldertogetabetterbreakontheball
LEADDRILL
Setup:Theoutfielderswilllineupsinglefileincenterfield,facinghomeplate.Acoachstandsattheedgeoftheinfieldwithafungobatandballs.Anadditionalcoachorplayerstandsnexttothecoachtoreceivethrowsfromtheoutfield.Execution:Onthecoachessignal,theoutfielderwillsprintfromcenterfieldtowardtherightfieldfence.Thecoachwillhitalinedrive,groundball,orflyballinthatdirection,leadingthefieldersothathehastosprinttomakeaplayontheballandstopitfromreachingthefence.Hefieldsitcleanlythenthrowsitintotheinfield.Completeseveralrepsforeachplayergoingineachdirection.
LOOKOVERTHESHOULDERDRILL
Setup:Theoutfielderswilllineupsinglefileincenterfield.Thefirstplayerinlinefacestowardtheoutfieldfenceandlooksoverhisshoulder,backtowardtheinfield.Acoachstandsattheedgeoftheinfieldwithafungobatandballs.Anadditionalcoachorplayerstandsnexttothecoachtoreceivethrowsfromtheoutfield.Execution:Thecoachwillhitahighflyballovertheplayer'shead.Theplayerwillkeephiseyeontheballbykeepinghisheadturnedbacktowardtheinfield,thenchasetheballoverhisheadandtrytomakeaplayonit.CoachingPoints•Makesureyourfieldershaveplentyofspacetoworkwithandyouarenottooclosetotheoutfieldfence,othergroupsofplayers,oranyotherobstructions.•Makesurethefieldisclearofdebrisbeforeyoubeginthisdrill.
GROUNDBALLFIELDINGDRILL
Setup:Theoutfielderswilllineupsinglefileintheoutfieldfacinghomeplate.Acoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Anadditionalcoachorplayersstandstothesideofhomeplatetoreceivethrowsfromthefielders.
Execution:Thecoachwillhitagroundballtothefirstplayerintheoutfieldersline.Theoutfielderwillchargehardattheball,breakdown,fieldtheballusingtheKneeMethod,Semi-KneeMethodorProMethod,thenmakeanaccuratethrowbacktohomeplate.Thecoachwillthenhitagroundballtothenextplayer,asthefirstplayerrotatestothebackoftheline.CoachingPoints•TheKneeMethodistypicallytaughttoyoungplayersasthesafestandmostreliablewaytofieldagroundballintheoutfield.Youcanalsousethistechniquewhentherearenorunnersonbase,whenthegroundisverybumpy,orwhenthereisnochanceofthrowingarunnerout.•Theoutfieldershouldchargetheballhardforthefirst4or5steps,thendecreasehisspeed,getundercontrol,andbreakdowntofieldtheball.•Tofieldtheball,droptothethrowingsideknee(therightkneeforrighthandedplayers)andputthebackofthegloveflatonthegroundbetweenthelegs.Watchtheballintotheglove,trapitwiththethrowinghand,thenriseupandstepintothethrow.•Theoutfieldershouldcenterhisbodyinfrontoftheball,sohecanblockitwithhistorsoifittakesabadhop.•TheSemi-KneeMethodisafaster,butslightlyriskierwaytofieldanoutfieldgrounder.ThetechniqueisthesameastheKneeMethod,excepttheoutfielderwillonlydropthethrowing-sidekneehalfwaytothegroundwhilefieldingtheball.Thiswillallowhimtomoveintohisthrowingmotionmorequickly,andhaveabetterchanceatthrowingoutarunner•TheProMethod(orScoopMethod)istheriskiestwaytofieldanoutfieldgrounderandshouldbeusedonlyinsituationswherethegamewillbelostifthefielderdoesn’tgettheballinquickly.Thistechniqueisforado-or-diesituationinwhichthetyingorwinningrunisattemptingtoscoreandtheoutfieldermustmakeaquickthrowtotheinfield.Theoutfielderrunsattheballandscoopsitupwhileonthemove,placingtheglovetotheoutsideoftheglove-sideleg(insteadofbetweenthelegs).Iftheballismissed,itcanrunallthewaytothefence,sousethistechniquewithcaution!
PITCHING
KEYPOINTS:• Feet–takeasmallstepbackwiththenonthrowing-sidefoot,keepingtheweightoverthestationary
foot,whichisturnedparallelandtouchingtherubber• Balanceposition–nonthrowing-sidelegcomesup,gloveisatwaistlevel,torsoisslightlyforwardso
thattheweightiscenteredoverthepivotfoot.• Powerposition–handabovetheball,taketheballdownoutofthegloveandup(circularmotion)
asthefrontfootstridestowardhomeplate• Rotation–handgoesfromabovetheballtobehinditasthereleasepointisapproached;elbowis
abovetheshoulder
• Follow-through–endupinagoodfieldingposition;thefollow-throughtakescareofitselfifmechanicsarecorrect;don’tbetoopickyaboutaperfectfollow-throughiftheresultsareconsistent.
TARGETTHROWINGDRILL
Goal:Thiscanbeusedasawarmupdrilltogetloosebeforeamoreintensepitchingworkout.Italsohelpswithcommandandcontrol,andallowspitcherstoexperimentwithdifferentgrips.Setup:Placetwoplayersapproximately46-60feetapart-aroundthesamedistanceasthegapbetweenthepitchingmoundandhomeplateatyourlevelofplay.Bothplayershaveglovesandarestandinginanathleticreadyposition.Oneplayerineachpairhastheball.Execution:Onthecoach'ssignal,thefirstplayerwillthrowtoaspecifictargetonthesecondplayer'sbody.1.Rightshoulder2.Righthip3.Rightknee4.Leftshoulder5.Lefthip6.LeftkneeCoachingPoints•Thisshouldbearelaxed,lowintensitydrillusedforwarmup.•Lookforasmooth,fluidthrowingmotionandgoodrotationontheball.•Thereceivingplayershouldplacehisgloveatthetargetpoint•Playersshoulduseafourseamgripformaximumaccuracy.
DRYRUNPITCHINGDRILL
Goal:Tohelppitchersunderstandanddevelopthephasesofthepitchingmotion,inaslow,controlledmannerthatallowsthecoachtomakeadjustmentsandcorrections.Setup:Lineupyourpitchersfacingthecoachwithabout4-5feetofspacebetweenthem.Theywillwearglovesbutdonotneedaballforthisdrill.Execution:Takeyourpitchersthrougheachphaseofthepitchingmotiononebyone,stoppingattheendofeachphasetomakeadjustmentsandcorrections.Phase1:Stance
•Thepitcher'sweightshouldbeevenlydistributedonbothfeet•Eyesshouldbefacingthetarget•ThegloveshouldbepalmupandthethrowinghandpalmdowntoconcealtheballPhase2:PivotandBalance•Takeashort"rockerstep"withthestridefoot(glovesidefoot)thatgoesbackward,awayfromtherubber•Thestepshouldbeshort,andcompactsothepitcher'sheadremainsovertheballsidefoot.•Followingtherockerstep,thepivotfoot(ballsidefoot)willsquareoffparalleltotherubber•Bringthestridelegupintoacontrolledmotiontotransferthepitcher'sweightintothepivotleg•Holdthe"balance"positionwiththestridelegupandbalanceuntilthecoachsaysstopPhase3:SeparationandStride•Afterthestridelegreachesitshighestpointofelevation,thepitcherwillseparatehishandsinathumbsdownposition,whilebeginninghisstridetowardhomeplate•Performacontrolled"fall"towardshomeplate,withthehead,glovesideknee,elbowandshoulderleadingtheway•Makesuretokeepafirmbackpivotleg,ratherthancollapsingitdownintoa"dropanddrive"motion.Thiswillhelppitcherskeeptheballreleasepointhigh,anddeveloppitchesthattravelonadownwardplanetowardthehitter•Uponfootstrikeofthestrideleg,thearmsandbodyshouldforma"T"position.Minimizestressonthestridelegbylandingwithabentknee.Phase4:Releaseandfollowthrough•Afterachievingthe"T"position,thethrowingshoulderwillaccelerateexplosivelytowardtheplateforthereleaseandfollowthrough•Thepitcher'sheadshouldmovetodirectlyoverthestrideleg,whilethethrowingshoulder,armsanduppertorsoextendtowardhomeplate•Asthethrowingarmmovesforward,thethrowingelbowshouldbeevenorslightlyhigherthanthethrowingshoulder•Theelbowsnapstofullextension•Thewristshouldbestraightandfirm,whilethefingersstayontopoftheball•Thepivotfootheelrotatesupandout,thencomesofftherubbertocompletetheweighttransferfromthebackfoottothefrontfootProgressthrougheachofthephasesonebyone,providingcorrectionsandadjustmentsalongtheway.Oncetheplayeriscomfortable,withphase1,havethemcompletephase1and2together,thenstop.Thenaddphase3andstop.Thenaddphase4tocreatethecompletepitchingdelivery.
STICKDRILL
Goal:Toimprovearmandhandspeed,andhelpdeveloptheproperreleasepoint.Setup:Lineupyourpitchersfacingthecoachwithabout4-5feetofspacebetweenthem,wearingtheirgloves.Insteadofaballinthepitchinghand,theywillholdalightwoodendowelorstick
approximately18-24inchesinlength.Execution:Thepitcherswillgothroughtheircompletepitchingmotion,keepingthestickinthepitchinghandthroughout.Thepitchershouldexplodetowardhomeplateandfinishwiththethrowingarmoutsideofthestrideleg.Complete10-15reps.CoachingPoints•Thisdrillisgreatfordevelopingarmandhandspeed.Itprovidesinstantfeedbacktothepitcher-alouderwhippingnoisegeneratedbythesticktranslatesintomorevelocityonthepitch.•Payattentiontowherethewhippingnoiseisbeinggenerated,whichwillcorrespondtowheretheballisbeingreleased.•Thepitchershouldhearthesoundrightinfrontofthebilloftheircapandofftheglove-sideeye.Ifthesoundistoohighortoolow,havethemmakesmalladjustmentsuntilit'sright.
BALANCEPOSITIONDRILL
Goal:Tohelpplayersunderstandhowtogatherenergyatthebalancepositionbeforeexplodingtowardtheplate.
Setup:Pitcher,catcher,ball
Execution:Pitcherthrowsfromthemoundtoacatcheratashorteneddistance.Startmotionfromthestretch,liftingthelegandpausingfora3secondcountatbalanceposition(upperandlowerbodycometogether,legslightlyclosedwithbuttpointingtowardcatcher,gloveslightlyaboveknee,upperbodynotleaningback).Onethecountof3,pitcherstridesforwardandreleasestheball.
CATCHERS
STANCEDRILL
Setup:Thecatchersstandfacingthecoachwitharound4-5feetofspacebetweenthem.Youcanpracticethiswithglovesonlyorfullequipment.Execution:1.Helptheplayersgetintothepropercatcherstancebyusingthefollowingcues:2.Getinanathleticstance,withthefeetslightlywiderthanshoulderwidthapart3.Dropyourelbowstoyourkneeswiththebackflat4.Pointthetoesslightlytotheoutside5.Keepthekneesinsidethefeet
6.Shiftyourweightbackandforthfromsidetoside,whilestayinginthestance7.Slowlygetlowerandlower,shiftingbackandforthuntilyoureachacomfortablePosition
STEPTOTHEBALLDRILL
Setup:Thecatchersaredownintheirstancewiththegloveup,facingthecoach.Youcanpracticethiswithglovesonlyorfullequipment.Execution:Whilefacingtheplayers,thecoachwillpointtotherightortheleft.Thecatcherswillimmediatelytakeashort,controlledstepinthatdirectionwiththeoutsidefoot(stayingdownintheirstance),thenmovebacktothemiddleposition.Oncetheyhavethemovementsdown,slowlylobabaseballtotheleftorrightofthecatcher,insteadofpointing.Rotatethrougheachoftheplayers,throwingeachaballoneatatimewhiletheotherplayersmimicthemovement(butdonotreceiveaball).CoachingPoints•Theheadshouldstaylevelasthecatchermovessidetoside•Placeslightlymoreweightontheglovesidefoot,whichwillallowthecatchertoshifttothenon-glove(riskier)sidemorequickly
GRIP/STEPANDTHROWDRILL
Setup:Thecatchersareintheirstance,facingthecoachwitharound4-5feetofspacebetweenthem.Youcanpracticethiswithglovesonlyorfullequipment.Execution:Thecoachwilllobtheballtotherightorleftsideofoneofthecatchers.Thecatcherwillsteptocorrectsidemakethecatch.Then,inonefluidmotion,thecatcherwillrise,andstepforwardwiththeglovesidefoot,whilereachingintotheglovetogriptheball.Cockbackthearmtothrow,thenfreeze.Oncetheplayersgetthehangofit,theycanmakethethrow,focusingeachtimeongettingafirmgripbeforeseparatingtheglovehandandthrowinghand,thencockingbacktothrow.CoachingPoints•Practiceusingafour-seamgripbytakingthemiddleandindexfingersofyourthrowinghand,andplacingthemperpendiculartothehorseshoeoftheseamsonthebaseball.Thisallowsyoutousetheseamstopulldownandgetmaximumbackwardrotation,helpingtheballflystraightandtrue.•Alwaysestablishthegripbeforepullingtheballoutoftheglove.Don'tallowyourplayers
tofiddlewiththegripastheycockbacktothrow,asthisisamajorcauseofbobbledballsandcostlyerrors.•Overtime,playerswilldevelopamusclememoryand"feel"fortheballwhichwillallowthemtoestablishtheproperfour-seamgripinjustasplitsecond
BALLINTHEDIRTDRILL
Setup:Thecatchersareintheirstance,facingthecoachwitharound4-5feetofspacebetweenthem.Youcanpracticethiswithglovesonlyorfullequipment.Execution:Fromabout5-10feetaway,thecoachwilltosstheballsoftlyintothedirt,directlyinfrontofthecatcher.Withtheballinmid-air,thecatcherwillquicklylowerhimselftoblockitbyfirstdroppingthebuttdown,thensoftlyloweringthekneestothegroundCoachingPointsCatchersmustbeinastancethatallowstheirfirstmovetobedown,ratherthanupwhentheybegintoexecutetheblock.Theeasiestwaytoaccomplishthisistoinsurethattheirfeetarefarenoughapartsotheirheelareincontactwiththeground,toesarepointedupthebaselinesandtheirthighsareparalleltotheground.Iftheyareinadeepcrouchthentheirhipswillhavetogoupbeforetheycanbegintomovetowardstheground.Adeepcrouchwillonlyaddtotheamountoftimeittakestoblockaballbymakingtheathletetravelupwardbeforetheyareabletodrivetotheground.Workonthefollowingcueswhenteachingcatcherstoblockballsinthedirt:•Replaceyourfeetwithyourkneesinone,fluidmotion:Driveyourkneesintothegroundtowhereyourfeetwere(aboutshoulder-widthapart,withyourupperbodycenteredbetweenthem).•Clearyourfeet:Sothatyoucangettoyourkneeseasier,clearawayyourfeetbyslidingthemouttothesideofyourbody.Keepyourshinsonthegroundandyourtoespointedbackandawayfromyoutobeinthebestpositiontoblocktheball.•Dropyourmitt:Asyouseetheballapproachingthedirt,dropyourmittbetweenyourlegs.Thewebofyourmittshouldbeincontactwiththeground,andthepalmofyourgloveshouldbesquaredtowardsthepitch.Yourfingerswillbebelowtheball.•Tuckyourarms:Asyoudropyourglove,keepyourthrowinghandpoisedabovethemittortighttoyourthrowing-side.Yourglove-sidearmshouldbetighttoyourbody,makingalargerblockingarea.•Angleforward:Yourupperbodyshouldbestraightenedandangledforward,overtheball.Bydoingthis,youcanknockdowntheballanddeflectitstraightintotheground,ratherthanawayfromyou.•Keepyoureyesdown:Tuckyourchinandalwayswatchtheball.Trymixingitupbythrowingdirtballstotheleft,rightandmiddleofthecatcher.Asthecatchergetsthetechniquedown,putonfullequipmentandbeginthrowingdirtballsfromalongerrangeandwithmorevelocity
BUNTFIELDINGDRILL
Setup:Lineupthecatcherssinglefilebehindhomeplate,withthefirstplayerinlineinhisstance.Thesecondplayer(oracoach)standsdirectlybehindthefirstplayer,holdingaball.Execution:Tobeginthedrill,theplayerwiththeballsimulatesabuntbytossingtheballsoftlypastthefirstplayerandintotheinfield.Thecatcherwillimmediatelyspringfromhisstance,sprinttotheballundercontrol,fielditcleanlyandthrowittofirstbase.CoachingPoints•Makesuretopicktheballupwithbothhands,whilesimultaneouslyliningupthefeettothrowtofirstbase.
TEAMSITUATIONS
PICHERSANDFIRSTBASEMEN
Setup:Placealineofplayersatthepitcher'smoundandalineofplayersbehindfirstbase.Thecoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Acatcherisinhisstancebehindtheplate.Execution:Thefirstplayerinthepitcher'slinewillsimulatethrowingapitch.Thecoachwillthenhitaslowgroundballtotheareabetweenthepitcherandfirstbaseman.Ifthepitcherfieldstheball,thefirstbasemanwillcoverfirstandthepitcherwillmakethethrowtohim.Ifthefirstbasemanfieldstheball,thepitcherwillcoverfirst.Theplayerswillrotatetothebackofthelineaftereachrep.CoachingPoints•Theplayerwhoisfieldingtheballshouldalwayscall"Ball"loudandclear•Theplayerwhoiscoveringfirstbasewillcall"Bag"•Ballshouldalwaysbecalledfirst,andBagcalledsecond•Ifthepitchertakes3stepsanddoesnotcallBall,thefirstbasemancallsBall•Thefirstbasemanisthecaptain-hegetsthefinaldecisiononwhowillplaytheball•Thepitchershouldalwaystagfirstbasewithhisrightfootandstayinsidethebaseline,toavoidcollidingwiththerunner•Useanunderhandtossforshortrangethrows•Ifyouhaveseveralmulti-positionplayers,havethemswitchlines
aftereveryplayerhashadaturn,sotheycanrunthedrillfrommultiplepositions
PITCHERS,SECONDBASEMENANDFIRSTBASEMEN
Setup:Placealineofplayersatthepitcher'smound,alineofplayersplayingsecondbase,andalineofplayersplayingfirstbase.Thecoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Acatcherisinhisstancebehindtheplate.Execution:Thefirstplayerinthepitcher'slinewillsimulatethrowingapitch.Thecoachwillthenhitaslowgroundballtotheareabetweenfirstbaseandsecondbase.Boththefirstbasemanandsecondbasemanwillgoaftertheball,whilethepitchercoversfirst.CoachingPoints•Theplayerwhoisfieldingtheballshouldalwayscall"Ball"loudandclear•Theplayerwhoiscoveringfirstbasewillcall"Bag"•Ballshouldalwaysbecalledfirst,andBagcalledsecond•Thefirstbasemanshouldtrytocoverasmuchterritoryashecan,becausethepitcherwillknowtocoverfirstbaseforhim.•Thesecondbasemanwilltakeanyballthatisnotcalledbythefirstbasemanorpitcher•Thepitchershouldalwaysbepreparedtocoverfirstbaseonanyballhittotherightsideoftheinfield.Thefirstbasemanwilloftenbeoutofposition,evenifthesecondbasemanendedupfieldingtheball•Ifyouhaveseveralmulti-positionplayers,havethemswitchlinesaftereveryplayerhashadaturn,sotheycanrunthedrillfrommultiplepositions•Emphasizetheimportanceofcommunicationandcoverageforthisdrill•Thepitchershouldalwaystagfirstbasewithhisrightfootandstayinsidethebaseline,toavoidcollidingwiththerunner
PITCHERS,SHORTSTOPSANDFIRSTBASEMEN–DOUBLEPLAYBALL
Setup:Placealineofplayersatthepitcher'smound,alineofplayersplayingshortstop,andalineofplayersplayingfirstbase.Thecoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Acatcherisinhisstancebehindtheplate.
Execution:Thefirstplayerinthepitcher'slinewillsimulatethrowingapitch.Thecoachwillthenhitaslowgroundballtothefirstbaseman.Theshortstopwillcoversecondbaseandreceivethethrow.Hewillthenmakethethrowbacktofirstbase,wherethepitcheriscovering.CoachingTips•Theplayerwhoisfieldingtheballshouldalwayscall"Ball"loudandclear•Theplayerwhoiscoveringfirstbasewillcall"Bag"•Ballshouldalwaysbecalledfirst,andBagcalledsecond•Witharunneronfirst,againstarighthandedbatter,theshortstopshouldsetuparoundeightstepsawayfromsecondbase,andeightstepsbehindthebaseline.Againstalefty,hecancheataroundfourstepstowardsecondbase.•Thefirstbasemanshouldclearoutoftheinfieldaftermakinghisthrow,toallowacleanlineofsightfromtheshortstoptothefirstbaseman•Whenreceivingthethrowatsecondbase,theshortstopshouldrunhardtogetwithin3feetofthebag,thenbreakdowntopreparetocatchtheballwhilekeepinghisfeetactiveandlive.Thiswillallowhimtoreacttoabadthrowwithoutlosinghisbalanceormomentum•Afterreceivingtheball,theshortstopshouldtagthebagwithhisthrowingsidefoot(rightfootforrighthandedplayers),andthenstepwithhisglovesidefootinordertomakethethrowtofirst.•Thepitchershouldalwaystagfirstbasewithhisrightfootandstayinsidethebaseline,toavoidcollidingwiththerunner•Ifyouhaveseveralmulti-positionplayers,havethemswitchlinesaftereveryplayerhashadaturn,sotheycanrunthedrillfrommultiplepositions
PITCHERS,THIRD,CATCHERS,FIRSTBASEMEN–BUNTDEFENSE
Setup:Placealineofplayersatthepitcher'smound,alineofplayersplayingthirdbase,andalineofplayersplayingfirstbase.Thecoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Acatcherisinhisstancebehindtheplate.Execution:Thefirstplayerinthepitcher'slinewillsimulatethrowingapitch,thenimmediatelybreaktothethirdbaseline.Thecoachwillthenbunttotherightsideorleftside,andforcethefirstbaseman,pitcher,orthirdbasemantomakeaplay,basedontherulesbelow.CoachingPoints•Theplayerwhoisfieldingtheballshouldalwayscall"Ball"loudandclear,ideallywithinthefielder’sfirstthreestepsafterthebuntermakescontact•Theplayerwhoiscoveringthebasewillcall"Bag"•Ballshouldalwaysbecalledfirst,andBagcalledsecond•Forsimplicity,youcandivideupthefieldintoslicesofpie
•Thefirstbasemanisresponsibleforthesliceofpiefromfirstbasetothepitcher'smound,includinganyballwhichisbunteddirectlyupthemiddle.Hewillbegintheplaythreestepsoffthebagandeightstepsin.Ifhefields,ithewillthrowtothirdtogettheadvancingbaserunner.•Thepitcherisresponsiblefortheareafromthemoundtothethirdbaseline.Ifthebatterisshowingbunt,thepitchermustbereadytobreaktothethirdbaselineimmediatelyafterreleasingtheball.Ifhefieldsit,hewillthrowtothirdbase.•Thethirdbasemenwillbegintheplayfourstepsoffthebagandtwostepsin,andonlymakeaplayontheballifthepitcherisunableto(ordoesnotcall"Ball").Ifhefieldsit,hewillthrowtofirst.Ifthepitcherfieldsit,hewillreturntothebagtomakeaplayonthebaserunnercomingfromsecond.•Ifyouhaveseveralmulti-positionplayers,havethemswitchlinesaftereveryplayerhashadaturn,sotheycanrunthedrillfrommultiplepositions
PITCHERS,SS,THIRDBASEMENANDOUTFIELD–PICKOFFS,RELAYSandBACKUPS
Setup:Placealineofplayersatthepitcher'smound,alineofplayersplayingthirdbase,alineofplayersplayingshortstop,andplayersineachofthethreeoutfieldpositions.Thecoachstandsathomeplatewithafungobatandballs.Acatcherisinhisstancebehindtheplate.Execution:Thefirstplayerinthepitcher'slinewillstartbyattemptingapickoffplaytosecondbase.Hewillintentionallythrowitovertheshortstop'shead,soitsailsintotheoutfield.Anticipatingtheplayatthird,thepitcherwillimmediatelysprinttotheareabehindthirdbaseasabackup.Theshortstopwillintentionallylettheballoverhisheadtothecenterfielder,themovetotheedgeoftheinfieldtoassumethepositionofcutoffman.Thecenterfielderwillplaytheerrantthrowofftheground,thenmakeastrongthrowtothirdbase,usingthecutoffmanifnecessary.CoachingPoints•Thepitchershouldusethisasanopportunitytoworkonhispickoffmovetosecond•Whileplayingbackup,thepitchershouldimaginearopethatconnectsthethrowerandreceiveroftheball,thenextendthatrope10-15feetbehindthereceivertoestablishhisbackupposition•Thepitcherwillneedtosprinthardtoreachthebackuppositionbehindthird.Makesurehehishustlingwithurgency.•Toplaytheballintheoutfield,thecenterfieldershouldchargetheballhardforthefirst4or5steps,thendecreasehisspeed,getundercontrol,andbreakdowntofieldtheball.•Tofieldtheball,drophalfwaydownonthethrowingsideknee(therightkneeforrighthandedplayers)andputthebackofthegloveflatonthegroundbetweenthelegs.•Theoutfieldershouldcenterhisbodyinfrontoftheball,sohecanblockitwithhistorsoifittakesabadhop.Watchtheballintotheglove,trapitwiththethrowinghand,thenriseupandstepintothethrow.Useacrow-hoptogetmoremomentumandpowerbehindthethrowintotheinfield.•Thethirdbasemanwilltelltheshortstopwhethertocutoffthethroworletitthrough.Ifit'sagoodstrongthrowthat'sontarget,heshouldletitthrough.•Ifyouhaveseveralmulti-positionplayers,havethemswitchlinesaftereveryplayerhashadaturn,sotheycanrunthedrillfrommultiplepositions
Related Documents
