baseball drills & skills AWS
BASEBALL DRILLS & SKILLS HITTING / BUNTING • Working on footwork, timing, weight back, “hands inside the baseball” swing technique, bat speed & follow-through Drills • Batting Tee Work o Hitting baseballs into nets…..or into field (depending on space) o Move tee forward & inside to simulate proper contact point on inside pitches. o Move tee back & outside to simulate proper contact point on outside pitches o Bottom Hand Only Drill o Kickball between Knees….to develop “weight back / stay back” habit • Frisbee drills: To simulate hands not rolling over until well after contact • Soft toss into net….or field (depending on space) • Hitting plastic balls thrown from short distance by a pitcher on his knee o Use larger whiffle balls first….then advance to smaller, plastic golf balls o Use “Skinny Sticks” to increase degree of difficulty • Live batting practice…depending on field space • Bunting o 3rd and 1st Technique o Cone Drill o SAC vs. “Bunt for a Hit” Concept o Drag Bunting OUTFIELD / CATCHING / THROWING o Working on movement to the ball, ball judgment, two hands, power-throwing, etc. Drills o o o o o o
Turn & Run: Football Drill Find the Fence Drill Fungo Work: Turn & Run…Catch it Coming In….No backpedalling Crow-hop Throws: Left to Home / Right to Third….with Cut-off Man. Aim for the Hands “Play-at-a Base” vs. “Play it Safe” Fielding Techniques Relay Drills o Divide players into “teams” of 6 or 9 o Each team has a group of outfielders, relay men and catchers o Coach hits ball to outfielder. Outfielder makes throw to relay man and then sprints to get in line to be next catcher. Relay man receives throw from outfielder, throws the ball
to catcher and then sprints to get in line to be next outfielder. Catcher makes catch, tags plate, places ball in bucket and then sprints to get in line to be next relay man. Constantly running, fielding and throwing. o Make it a competition: ▪ 1st team to get X amount of balls in the bucket. ▪ Divide players into groups of 3 and TIME them on following drill. Place ball on ground 10 yards behind the outfielders. Yell “GO”…outfielder sprints to retrieve ball, makes throw to relay man who then throws the ball to the catcher. ▪ Same drill as above; but after catcher receives the ball at the plate, have them throw the ball back to relay man and then back to outfielder…and repeat this two more times. Time the teams on all three segments; stressing that good, consistent throws & catches often beats powerful, errant throws. INFIELD o Working on fielding position, footwork, glove / hand position, 2-hand fielding techniques Drills o Ground Balls o Fielding Disks/Pads ▪ Roll balls to fielders; stressing proper mechanics ▪ Hit balls to fielders ▪ Competition: Knock-Out Drill • Field it cleanly: Back of the line and go again. • Ball hits the ground after a bobble…take a knee • Crown the Knock-Out Champ for the Day o Rapid Fire Ground Ball Drills with Gloves ▪ Right Side Coach • Hits to 3rd….3rd Throws to 2nd….2nd fakes throw to 1st…2nd tosses ball in bucket behind 2nd base • Hits to 2nd baseman…throws to player on 2nd base….players tosses ball in bucket ▪ Left Side Coach • Hits to Shortstop….Shortstop throws to 1st….1st tosses ball in bucket. • Hits to 1st…1st tags the bag…tosses ball in bucket o Flair Drills: o Divide players into 2 groups. o Group 1: Divide between Short and Left o Group 2: Divide between 2nd and Right o Hit / throw weak fly ball between infield & outfield. ▪ Infielder turns and runs…until outfielder calls you off….then peels off ▪ Outfielder moves on the ball….calling off infielder if he can get to it o Relay Drills o Standard Relays ▪ Relay man holds his hands up high, yells the base we’re throwing to (eg. Two! Two! Two!) and lines himself up halfway between the ball and the base ▪ As the ball approaches, he adjusts his body to the flight of the ball so that his throwing shoulder is toward the ball and his glove shoulder is pointing the base he’s throwing to. The relay man is now ready to receive the ball and throw it to the desired base in one fluid motion ▪ Shortstop serves as relay man for left side of the field ▪ 2nd baseman serves as relay man for right side of the field
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3rd baseman serves as relay man to home on ball to straight left (SS peels around to cover 3rd) ▪ 1st baseman serves as relay man to home on all other balls in the gap, to the fence or straight center or straight right. ▪ Pitcher backs up whatever base the ball is going to o Tandem Relays: For Balls Hit to the Fence / In the Gap…on Larger Fields ▪ Ball hit to Left-center • Shortstop follows the ball to be the primary relay man • 2nd baseman peels in about 5 yards behind the shortstop to be ready to field an overthrow or a short-hop that the SS lets go so 2nd baseman can field cleanly on the bounce. • 1st baseman follows the runner to cover 2nd. ▪ Ball hit to Right-center • 2nd baseman follows the ball to be the primary relay man • Shortstop peels in about 5 yards behind the 2nd baseman to be ready to field an overthrow or a short-hop that the 2nd baseman lets go so shortstop can field more cleanly on the bounce. • 1st baseman follows the runner to cover 2nd. ▪ If the play develops into a Throw to Home, 1st baseman abandons his role of following the runner to cover 2nd and assumes his primary role of serving as relay man just beyond pitcher’s mound. o Turning Double Plays o Shortstop covering 2nd on balls hit to 2nd baseman or 1st ▪ Get to the base fast ▪ Brush the back corner of the base with right foot and get out of the base path to make the throw. o 2nd Baseman covering 2nd on balls hit to Shortstop, 3rd or Pitcher ▪ Get to the base fast ▪ Left foot on the base and wait for throw • Ball from 3rd: Step towards 3rd with right foot to receive ball, hop off base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of base path to avoid runner • Deep ball to Shortstop: Step towards 3rd with right foot to receive ball, hop off base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of the base path to avoid runner • Shallow ball to Shortstop that is close to 2nd base: Step back towards outfield with right foot to receive ball, hop back off the base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of the base path to avoid runner o Types of Tosses to 2nd Base on Double Plays: Depends on distance fielder is from base ▪ Underhand Shovel Pass ▪ The Backhand Flip ▪ Pivot & Throw o Covering bases on Throw-Downs from Catcher o Straddle the base o Let the ball come to you o Catch and Drop: Catch the ball and drop the glove in the path of the base runner sliding in vs. tagging the runner in the chest and giving the runner the opportunity to get under the tag. o Run-Downs: Pickle Drill o Always attempt to run the player back to the base he came from o When a pitcher / fielder first traps a runner in a run-down, run directly in front of the runner to force him to first head back to the base he came from.
o Player with ball holds the ball up in the air in full view of the receiver o Close the Gap: Fielders continue to shorten the run-down by converging / squeezing the run-down to the half of the baseline you are attempting to force the runner back to. o Minimize the number of throws; more throws & catches….more opportunities for error o Always have secondary fielders backing up each fielder at both end of the run-down in the event the runner gets by the primary fielder in the rund-down o Around the Horn: Bucket Drill o Divide into “teams” of 5 players (Catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and 3rd)…with extra player taking a knee behind each of the 5 spots. o Coach hits to 3rd….3rd throws to 1st…1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 3rd…..3rd throws to 2nd….2nd throws to 1st….1st tosses ball in bucket o Coach hits to Shortstop (SS)….SS throws to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to SS covering 2nd…SS throws to 1st …..1st places ball in bucket o Coach hits to 2nd….2nd throws to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 2nd covering 2nd…2nd throws to 1st ….1st places ball in bucket o Coach hits to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 1st…1st places ball in bucket o Make it a competition…..most balls in the bucket at 1st wins! (When there is a bad overthrow or missed ball…coach just hits to next player on the field. Dropped balls can be picked up to continue the drill) o Around the Horn: Cooperstown Drill (Time the Drill from beginning to end) o Pitcher throws to Catcher and clock starts when catcher tags home plate o Catcher throws to 3rd. 3rd tags base and throws to 2nd. 2nd tags base and throws to 1st. 1st tags base and throws back to Catcher o Catcher tags home plate and throws to SS who is also positioned at 2nd. o SS tags 2nd and throws to Rightfield o Rightfield throws back to 2nd baseman who tags 2nd and throws to Centerfield o Centerfield throws to 3rd who tags 3rd and throws to Leftfield o Leftfield throws to Catcher at home….when Catcher tags home plate, clock stops. SPEED & QUICKNESS / WARM-UP DRILLS / BASERUNNING • Dynamic stretching o Light jog as a Team o Lunge & Twist o High Knees o Butt Kicks o Grapevine • Ladder Drills o Straight Ahead… One foot per box….then explode to finish line o Straight Ahead….Two feet per box….then explode to finish line o Sideways…. One foot per box….then explode to finish line o Sideways…. Two feet per box….then explode to finish line o Straight Ahead…Two-In / One-Out….Left to Right • Static Stretching: Circle-Up o Basic stretching of arms / shoulders / legs • Sprints o Start from a “Sideways” / Lead-off Position o 50% o 75% o 100% ▪ Full-Speed Races
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▪ Move on Pitcher’s Simulated First Movement from Stretch Position Throwing: Warm-Up Routine o Elbow Isolation Toss from a Knee o Twist at the Hip & Throw from a Knee o Turn, Step & Throw from Standing Position o Long Toss: Crow-hop and Throw o Balls on the Chalk Drill: Synchronized Throwing & Catching drill that increases focus Baserunning o Home to 1st (“Dig…Dig…Dig”) / Home to 2nd (“Make Your Turn”) o Situational Baserunning ▪ Force play: Race to the Base ▪ Read the Ball/Play • Runner on 2nd….ground ball hit left side…couple of steps off & read it • Runner on 2nd….ground ball hit right side….bolt to 3rd….no hesitation • Gappers / Flairs: Read & React o Lead-offs / Stealing: Drills with live pitchers / catchers / baseman ▪ Good lead ▪ Good jump ▪ Good Speed ▪ Good Slide o Tag-Ups on Fly balls
Turn & Run: Football Drill Find the Fence Drill Fungo Work: Turn & Run…Catch it Coming In….No backpedalling Crow-hop Throws: Left to Home / Right to Third….with Cut-off Man. Aim for the Hands “Play-at-a Base” vs. “Play it Safe” Fielding Techniques Relay Drills o Divide players into “teams” of 6 or 9 o Each team has a group of outfielders, relay men and catchers o Coach hits ball to outfielder. Outfielder makes throw to relay man and then sprints to get in line to be next catcher. Relay man receives throw from outfielder, throws the ball
to catcher and then sprints to get in line to be next outfielder. Catcher makes catch, tags plate, places ball in bucket and then sprints to get in line to be next relay man. Constantly running, fielding and throwing. o Make it a competition: ▪ 1st team to get X amount of balls in the bucket. ▪ Divide players into groups of 3 and TIME them on following drill. Place ball on ground 10 yards behind the outfielders. Yell “GO”…outfielder sprints to retrieve ball, makes throw to relay man who then throws the ball to the catcher. ▪ Same drill as above; but after catcher receives the ball at the plate, have them throw the ball back to relay man and then back to outfielder…and repeat this two more times. Time the teams on all three segments; stressing that good, consistent throws & catches often beats powerful, errant throws. INFIELD o Working on fielding position, footwork, glove / hand position, 2-hand fielding techniques Drills o Ground Balls o Fielding Disks/Pads ▪ Roll balls to fielders; stressing proper mechanics ▪ Hit balls to fielders ▪ Competition: Knock-Out Drill • Field it cleanly: Back of the line and go again. • Ball hits the ground after a bobble…take a knee • Crown the Knock-Out Champ for the Day o Rapid Fire Ground Ball Drills with Gloves ▪ Right Side Coach • Hits to 3rd….3rd Throws to 2nd….2nd fakes throw to 1st…2nd tosses ball in bucket behind 2nd base • Hits to 2nd baseman…throws to player on 2nd base….players tosses ball in bucket ▪ Left Side Coach • Hits to Shortstop….Shortstop throws to 1st….1st tosses ball in bucket. • Hits to 1st…1st tags the bag…tosses ball in bucket o Flair Drills: o Divide players into 2 groups. o Group 1: Divide between Short and Left o Group 2: Divide between 2nd and Right o Hit / throw weak fly ball between infield & outfield. ▪ Infielder turns and runs…until outfielder calls you off….then peels off ▪ Outfielder moves on the ball….calling off infielder if he can get to it o Relay Drills o Standard Relays ▪ Relay man holds his hands up high, yells the base we’re throwing to (eg. Two! Two! Two!) and lines himself up halfway between the ball and the base ▪ As the ball approaches, he adjusts his body to the flight of the ball so that his throwing shoulder is toward the ball and his glove shoulder is pointing the base he’s throwing to. The relay man is now ready to receive the ball and throw it to the desired base in one fluid motion ▪ Shortstop serves as relay man for left side of the field ▪ 2nd baseman serves as relay man for right side of the field
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3rd baseman serves as relay man to home on ball to straight left (SS peels around to cover 3rd) ▪ 1st baseman serves as relay man to home on all other balls in the gap, to the fence or straight center or straight right. ▪ Pitcher backs up whatever base the ball is going to o Tandem Relays: For Balls Hit to the Fence / In the Gap…on Larger Fields ▪ Ball hit to Left-center • Shortstop follows the ball to be the primary relay man • 2nd baseman peels in about 5 yards behind the shortstop to be ready to field an overthrow or a short-hop that the SS lets go so 2nd baseman can field cleanly on the bounce. • 1st baseman follows the runner to cover 2nd. ▪ Ball hit to Right-center • 2nd baseman follows the ball to be the primary relay man • Shortstop peels in about 5 yards behind the 2nd baseman to be ready to field an overthrow or a short-hop that the 2nd baseman lets go so shortstop can field more cleanly on the bounce. • 1st baseman follows the runner to cover 2nd. ▪ If the play develops into a Throw to Home, 1st baseman abandons his role of following the runner to cover 2nd and assumes his primary role of serving as relay man just beyond pitcher’s mound. o Turning Double Plays o Shortstop covering 2nd on balls hit to 2nd baseman or 1st ▪ Get to the base fast ▪ Brush the back corner of the base with right foot and get out of the base path to make the throw. o 2nd Baseman covering 2nd on balls hit to Shortstop, 3rd or Pitcher ▪ Get to the base fast ▪ Left foot on the base and wait for throw • Ball from 3rd: Step towards 3rd with right foot to receive ball, hop off base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of base path to avoid runner • Deep ball to Shortstop: Step towards 3rd with right foot to receive ball, hop off base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of the base path to avoid runner • Shallow ball to Shortstop that is close to 2nd base: Step back towards outfield with right foot to receive ball, hop back off the base & make the throw to 1st…..getting out of the base path to avoid runner o Types of Tosses to 2nd Base on Double Plays: Depends on distance fielder is from base ▪ Underhand Shovel Pass ▪ The Backhand Flip ▪ Pivot & Throw o Covering bases on Throw-Downs from Catcher o Straddle the base o Let the ball come to you o Catch and Drop: Catch the ball and drop the glove in the path of the base runner sliding in vs. tagging the runner in the chest and giving the runner the opportunity to get under the tag. o Run-Downs: Pickle Drill o Always attempt to run the player back to the base he came from o When a pitcher / fielder first traps a runner in a run-down, run directly in front of the runner to force him to first head back to the base he came from.
o Player with ball holds the ball up in the air in full view of the receiver o Close the Gap: Fielders continue to shorten the run-down by converging / squeezing the run-down to the half of the baseline you are attempting to force the runner back to. o Minimize the number of throws; more throws & catches….more opportunities for error o Always have secondary fielders backing up each fielder at both end of the run-down in the event the runner gets by the primary fielder in the rund-down o Around the Horn: Bucket Drill o Divide into “teams” of 5 players (Catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS and 3rd)…with extra player taking a knee behind each of the 5 spots. o Coach hits to 3rd….3rd throws to 1st…1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 3rd…..3rd throws to 2nd….2nd throws to 1st….1st tosses ball in bucket o Coach hits to Shortstop (SS)….SS throws to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to SS covering 2nd…SS throws to 1st …..1st places ball in bucket o Coach hits to 2nd….2nd throws to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 2nd covering 2nd…2nd throws to 1st ….1st places ball in bucket o Coach hits to 1st….1st throws to Catcher….Catcher throws back to 1st…1st places ball in bucket o Make it a competition…..most balls in the bucket at 1st wins! (When there is a bad overthrow or missed ball…coach just hits to next player on the field. Dropped balls can be picked up to continue the drill) o Around the Horn: Cooperstown Drill (Time the Drill from beginning to end) o Pitcher throws to Catcher and clock starts when catcher tags home plate o Catcher throws to 3rd. 3rd tags base and throws to 2nd. 2nd tags base and throws to 1st. 1st tags base and throws back to Catcher o Catcher tags home plate and throws to SS who is also positioned at 2nd. o SS tags 2nd and throws to Rightfield o Rightfield throws back to 2nd baseman who tags 2nd and throws to Centerfield o Centerfield throws to 3rd who tags 3rd and throws to Leftfield o Leftfield throws to Catcher at home….when Catcher tags home plate, clock stops. SPEED & QUICKNESS / WARM-UP DRILLS / BASERUNNING • Dynamic stretching o Light jog as a Team o Lunge & Twist o High Knees o Butt Kicks o Grapevine • Ladder Drills o Straight Ahead… One foot per box….then explode to finish line o Straight Ahead….Two feet per box….then explode to finish line o Sideways…. One foot per box….then explode to finish line o Sideways…. Two feet per box….then explode to finish line o Straight Ahead…Two-In / One-Out….Left to Right • Static Stretching: Circle-Up o Basic stretching of arms / shoulders / legs • Sprints o Start from a “Sideways” / Lead-off Position o 50% o 75% o 100% ▪ Full-Speed Races
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▪ Move on Pitcher’s Simulated First Movement from Stretch Position Throwing: Warm-Up Routine o Elbow Isolation Toss from a Knee o Twist at the Hip & Throw from a Knee o Turn, Step & Throw from Standing Position o Long Toss: Crow-hop and Throw o Balls on the Chalk Drill: Synchronized Throwing & Catching drill that increases focus Baserunning o Home to 1st (“Dig…Dig…Dig”) / Home to 2nd (“Make Your Turn”) o Situational Baserunning ▪ Force play: Race to the Base ▪ Read the Ball/Play • Runner on 2nd….ground ball hit left side…couple of steps off & read it • Runner on 2nd….ground ball hit right side….bolt to 3rd….no hesitation • Gappers / Flairs: Read & React o Lead-offs / Stealing: Drills with live pitchers / catchers / baseman ▪ Good lead ▪ Good jump ▪ Good Speed ▪ Good Slide o Tag-Ups on Fly balls
