Lake View Athletic’s

2014

Coaching Manual & Sample Practice Plans

Introduction...... 4

PerfectPracticeMakesPerfect...... 4

Preparation...... 4

Coaching Tips...... 5

T-Ball & Pee WeePracticeStationsInstructions...... 6

PracticePlans:ROOKIEMINOR & MAJOR...... 8

RookiePracticePlan I...... 8

Rookie Practice Plan II...... 9

Rookie PracticePlanIII...... 10

Rookie Practice Plan IV...... 11

Minor/MajorPracticePlan I...... 12

Minor/Major Practice Plan II...... 13

Minor/Major Practice Plan III...... 14

Minor/Major Practice Plan IV...... 15

Minor/Major Practice Plan V...... 16

Practice Drills Summary...... 17

ThrowingDrills...... 17

Flick drill...... 17

Arm drag drill...... 17

One-kneedrill...... 17

Two-kneedrill...... 17

Playcatch – hitthe target...... 17

Back ‘em up three...... 17

Throwing relaydrill...... 18

Long toss...... 18

Infield Drills...... 18

Alligatorarms...... 18

Shuffle...... 18

Breakdown...... 19

Ready, set, go...... 19

Rollback and forth...... 19

Rapid fire...... 19

Four square...... 19

Middleinfield / Doubleplay drills...... 20

Hot corner situations...... 21

Outfield /PopFly Drills...... 21

Pop flies...... 21

Leftandrightflyballs...... 21

Football drill...... 21

Ground balls...... 22

Doordie...... 22

Fly/Pop fly ball priorities...... 22

Base Running Drills...... 23

Straight through first...... 23

Thequestionmark...... 23

The banana...... 23

First to third...... 24

Second tohome...... 24

Diamondrelay...... 24

Hitting and Situations...... 25

Soft toss...... 25

Wiffle circle...... 25

Four, four and four...... 25

Manager’s Evaluation...... 26

PlayerEvaluation...... 27

Introduction

TheLake View Athletic AssociationBaseball coachingmanualwasdevelopedwithtwomainobjectivesinmind.One,toassistcoaches to prepareforandruneffectivepractices.Andtwo,topromoteandinstillamoreconsistentcoachingmethodologythroughoutalllevels,onethatwe’reconfidentwillkeeptheplayersengagedandinterestedinthegameofbaseball,andonethatisdesigneddevelopandenhancetheplayers’skillsastheyprogressthroughtheLV Athletic Associationprogram.

Includedinthismanualareaseriesofpracticeplansorganizedbyskilllevel(e.g.,T-Ball,Pee Wee, Rookie, Minor & Major).Thepracticeplansincludedareintendedtobeusedasis,especiallyforthoseinstructingyouthbaseballforthefirsttime,butweencouragecoachesandcoachestoutilizedrillsandpracticesformatsthattheyhavefoundtobeeffective,ormaybebettersuiteddependingontheskillleveloftheirteam’splayers.Abriefdescriptionofeachofthedrillsmaybefoundinthe“PracticeDrillsSummary”sectionattheendofthemanual.

Attheendofthemanualyoualsofindamanager’sandplayerevaluationforms.Wefeelitisimportantandnecessaryforeachcoachtoassesseachplayer’sperformanceandsharethisvaluablefeedbackwiththeplayersohehassomethingtoworkonduringtheoff-season.Instructionsforusingthemanager’sevaluationareincludedontheform.

PerfectPracticeMakesPerfect

Baseballplayersareindeedcreaturesofhabit.Thesehabitsandroutinesareshapedatanearlyageandreinforcedbyrepetition.Throughrepetitionandpractice,playersarebetterpositionedtoexecuteingame-timesituations.Repetitionalone,however,doesnotensuresuccess.Theplayersmustbetaughttheproperwaytoexecuteadrillorplay.Thisisvitallyimportant,especiallyforyoungerplayersorthoseplayingthegameforthefirsttime.Recognizetoothatnotallplayersdeveloptheirskillsorunderstandingofthegameatthesamepace.Ifyouseethataplayerisnotfullygraspingtheconceptofdrillorplay,takethetimetoworkwiththeplayerindividually.

Preparation

Takethetimetoprepareandreviewyourpracticeplaninadvance.Ifpossible,bringcopiesofandreviewyourpracticeplanwithcoachesandvolunteers.Whenyouhaveaplan,theplayerswillremainengaged,theparentswillappreciatethatyouareprepared,andyouwillfindthatyourcoachingexperienceisrewarding.

CoachingTips

•Prepareforyourpracticeinadvance,startontime,andsticktoyourtimeline(refertosamplepracticeplans).

•Setexpectationsforthepracticeandtheseason–weencouragecoachesatalllevelstoconducta“parentsmeeting”atthebeginningoftheseasonandtosetgroundrulesfortheplayers.

•Askforhelp(themorevolunteersthebetter),butdon’tbeafraidtotellcoachesandvolunteershowyouwantdrillsorganizedandexecuted–thisisstillyourpractice.

•Keepthekidsmoving,forexample,runstationsandlimittheamountoftimeateach.Ifnecessary,breakthekidsupintosmallergroupstomaintaintheirattentionandincreasetheirrepetitions.

•Reinforceroutines,forexample,starteachpracticethesameway(runningandstretching,throwingmechanics,etc),andhaveadesignatedplacetoplaycatch(e.g.,rightorleftfieldfoullines).

•Don’tsweatthesmallstuff.Kidswillbekids.There’snotagreatdealyoucandoaboutthat,butsetguidelinesforconduct.

•Keepitfunbyincorporatingcontests(refertosamplepracticeplans).

•Focusonthebasicsandskillsdevelopment.Baseballisaboutmusclememorycausedbyrepetitionofgoodmechanics.

•Trytoincorporate“situations”ateachpracticetoteachthekidsthegame.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthepracticeplansordrills,pleasecontactMark Stahlkaat

Goodluck!

Lake View Athletics

T-Ball & Pee WeePracticeStationsInstructions

Station1:
Hitting
(wiffleballs,bats,andtees)
Eachplayerhasatee;separateleftandright-handedhitters / •Knucklesarelineduporclosetoit;loosegrip;handsmaintainedatthetopofstrikezone;knobofbatpointingtooppositebatter’sbox(batat45degreeangle);elbowsaredown;handsarelinedupoverbackfoot
•Feetareshoulders-widthapart,inastraightlinewithtoespointingforward;kneesslightlybentandweightofbodyisonballsoffeet
•Weightisback(65%backfoot,35%frontfoot);strideissoft,slow,straight,short,andshallow–the“5S’s”–andthestrideisalwaystowardsthepitcher.
•Remember to focus on Safety First. No one picks up a bat until a coach tells them to.
•Teach them how to drop the bat after contact is made, no throwing bats.
Station2:Pop-ups(tennisballs)
Formatleasttwolines(askforvolunteers) / •Startwithoutgloves,thenprogresstousingaglove
•Start with basket catches and progress to palms up
•Bothhandsshouldbeheldouthighwithpalmsfacingup
•Emphasizethetriangleshapebothhandsmake,i.e.,handsshouldberelativelyclosetooneanother
•Headandshouldersshouldbedirectlyundertheballwhencatchisbeingmade
•Throwinghandcoverstheballasitenterstheglove
Station3:Throwingmechanics(tapedtennisballs)
Pairplayerstogetherorworkinsmallgroups / •Introduceavarietyofthrowingdrillsthatareintendedtotrainandreinforcetheproperthrowingmotion,e.g.,flick,armdrag,one-knee,andtwokneedrills(seeCoachingDrillsSummary)
•Showplayershowtoholdtheball,i.e.,cross-seamgrip
•Make sure proper foot is forward while throwing.
•Stressimportanceofaiminggloveattarget,thentuckingduringfollow-through
•Playersshouldalwayssteptowardstheirtarget(manyyoungerplayershaveatendencytodriftorsteptowardsthe“gloveside”oftarget)
Station4:
Fieldinggroundballs(tapedsoftees)
Workinsmallgroupsoftwoorthree / •Demonstratetheproperfieldingposition(kneesbentandbuttdown,handsoutinfront,headdown,bringballintobellywithbothhands,popupintothrowingposition)
•Startwithgroundballswithoutglovesatrelativelyclosedistance;introduceglovesandlengthendistance
•Focus on “baseball ready”position.
•Divide the field into sections (pizza approach) and teach young players to only field balls that come in their section.

T-Ball & Pee WeePracticeStationsInstructions(cont’d)

Station5:Baserunning(bases,balls) / •Infieldhit:playersfirstfindballthenkeepheaddownandrunthroughfirstbase(i.e.,noslidingorlunging)
•Groundballthroughinfield:playersfindballthenbeginturn(the“questionmark”)oncetheyseeitgothroughtheinfield;teachplayerstosteponinsidecornerofbagthenmakeshortchoppystepsastheballisfieldedcleanly
•Cleanbasehit:playersbeginturn(the“banana”)outofthebatter’sbox
Station6:Pop-ups(tennisballs)
Formatleasttwolines(askforvolunteers) / •Dependingonskilllevel,eitherrepeatStation2orintroduce“leftandrightflyball”or“football”drills
•Demonstratethedropsteptechniqueandhowtoruntoaspot
•Playersshouldstillattempttopositionthemselvesundertheballandusetwohands
Station7:
Fieldinggroundballs(tapedsoftees)
Workinsmallgroupsoftwoorthree / •Dependingonskilllevel,eitherrepeatStation4orintroduceotherfieldingdrills(e.g.,“rollbackandforth”,“shuffle”,and“rapidfire”drills)
•Continuetofocusonproperfieldingform,includingmovingfeettoensureballisfieldedinfrontofplayer(i.e.,limitdivingandlungingforballs)
Station8:
Position Names(cones) / •Walk all players around the field and teach them the name of each position.
•Labeled cones help them remember.
•Have competitions challenging them to go to positions/bases
Station9:
Livepitching & Tee Work(helmets,wiffleballs,bats) / •Arrangeplayersinonetotwocirclesandpitchwiffleballsfromoneknee (Pee Wee) (For Tee Ball work with groups of 3 players) Progress to baseballs after first couple of practices.
•Continuetofocusonmechanics(stance,hands/feet positioning,stride)
•Playersshouldbein“ready”positionwhilewaiting(noswinging!)
•Pitchthreetofourballstooneplayerthenmoveontothenext
•Askparentstohelpcollectballsandkeepkidsseparated
•Remember Safety First.
Station10:
Fieldingandhitting(helmets,bats,andtees) / •Letthekidsenjoythemselvesatthisstation
•Splitkidsupintotwogroups;onegrouphitsballsofftheteewhiletheotherfieldsandtossesbacktohittingarea

Practice Plans: Rookie

Rookie PracticePlanI

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(10minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Playcatch
Throwing(15minutes) / •Flickdrill(5minutes)
•Armdrag(5minutes)
•Two-kneedrill(5minutes)
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Alligatorarms(5minutes)
•Shuffle(5minutes)
•Breakdown(5minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Popflies(5minutes)
•Leftandrightflyballs(5minutes)Game
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Runthroughfirst–nosliding!(5minutes)
•Makingtheturn(5minutes)
Hitting(30minutes) / Playersrotateamongststations
•StationA:Softtoss
•StationB:Inthefield(fieldingBP)
•StationC:Battingpractice
Roster
Notes

Rookie PracticePlanII

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Playcatch
Throwing(20minutes) / •Flickdrill(5minutes)
•One-kneedrill(5minutes)
•Playcatch–hitthetarget(5minutes)
•Back‘emupthree(5minutes)Game
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Rollbackandforth(5minutes)
•Ready,set,go(5minutes)
•Rapidfire(5minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Popflies(5minutes)
•Footballdrill–(5minutes)
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Firsttothird(5minutes)
•Secondtohome(5minutes)
HittingPitching(30minutes) / Playersrotateamongststations
•StationA:Softtoss
•StationB:Pitching(ontheside)
•StationC:Battingpractice
•StationD:Inthefield(fieldingBP)
Roster
Notes

ROOKIE PracticePlanIII

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Playcatch
Throwing(15minutes) / •Flickdrill(5minutes)
•One-kneedrill(5minutes)
•Throwingrelaydrill(5minutes)Game
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Rollbackandforth(5minutes)
•Foursquare–rotatepositions(10minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Popflies–ingroups(5minutes)
•Groundballs–ingroups(5minutes)
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Diamondrelay(10minutes)Game
HittingSituations(35minutes) / HittingStations(15minutes)
•Softtoss(ortee)
•Wifflecircle(twogroups)
Situations(20minutes)
•Four,fourandfour(orthree,threeandthree)
Roster
Notes

ROOKIE PracticePlanIV

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
Throwing(10minutes) / •Armdrag(5minutes)
•Playcatch–hitthetarget(5minutes)Game
Fielding–infield(20minutes) / •Groundballs–throwtofirst,rotatepositions(10minutes)
•Middleinfielddrills(10minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Fly/Popflyballpriorities(10minutes)
HittingSituations(35minutes) / HittingStations(15minutes)
•Softtoss(ortee)
•Wifflecircle(twogroups)
Situations(20minutes)
•Four,fourandfour(orthree,threeandthree)Game
Roster
Notes

MINOR & MAJOR PracticePlanI

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(10minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Stretch
•Playcatch
Throwing(15minutes) / •Armdrag(5minutes)
•Flickdrill(5minutes)
•One-kneedrill(5minutes)
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Rollbackandforth(5minutes)
•Shuffle(5minutes)
•Breakdown–“ready,set,go”(5minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Popflies(5minutes)
•Leftandrightflyballs(5minutes)Game
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Runthroughfirst
•Thebanana
•Thequestionmark
Hitting(30minutes) / Playersrotateamongststations
•StationA:Softtoss
•StationB:Inthefield(fieldingBP)
•StationC:Battingpractice
Roster
Notes

Minor & Major PracticePlanII

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Playcatch
Throwing(20minutes) / •Flickdrill(5minutes)
•Two-kneedrill(5minutes)
•Playcatch–hitthetarget(5minutes)
•Back‘emupthree(5minutes)Game
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Rollbackandforth(5minutes)
•Shuffle(5minutes)
•Rapidfire(5minutes)
Fielding–outfield(10minutes) / •Popflies(5minutes)
•Footballdrill(5minutes)
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Firsttothird(5minutes)
•Secondtohome(5minutes)
HittingPitching(30minutes) / Playersrotateamongststations
•StationA:Softtoss
•StationB:Pitching(ontheside)
•StationC:Battingpractice
•StationD:Inthefield(fieldingBP)
Roster
Notes

Minor & Major PracticePlanIII

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
•Playcatch
Throwing(15minutes) / •Flickdrill(5minutes)
•One-kneedrill(5minutes)
•Throwingrelaydrill(5minutes)Game
Fielding–infield(15minutes) / •Rollbackandforth(5minutes)
•Foursquare–rotatepositions(10minutes)
Coachesnote:Pull2-3playersasidetoworkoncatcher’sdrills
•Stance
•Blockingballs
•Framingpitches(startwithtennisballs/barehands)
•Stealing–footworkandthrowing
•Fieldingpopflies
Baserunning(10minutes) / •Diamondrelay(10minutes)Game
HittingSituations(35minutes) / Stations–rotateplayers(20minutes)
•Softtoss,inthefield,usepitchingscreen(5minutes)
•Hittingofftee(5minutes)
•Fieldingsofttoss(5minutes)
•Pitching,ontheside(5minutes)
Situations(15minutes)
•Four,fourandfour(orthree,threeandthree)
Roster
Notes

Minor & Major PracticePlanIV

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
Throwing(10minutes) / •Playcatch–hitthetarget(5minutes)
•Longtoss(5minutes)
Fielding–infield(25minutes) / •Foursquare–rotatepositions(10minutes)Game
•Middleinfielddrills(10minutes)
•Hotcornersituations(5minutes)
Fielding–outfield(15minutes) / •Popflies(5minutes)
•Groundballs(5minutes)
•Doordie–throwhome(5minutes)Game
HittingSituations(35minutes) / Battingpractice(15minutes)
•Uselivecatcher
•On-deckbatterdoessofttoss
Situations(20minutes)
•Playersatpositions
•Useliverunners
Roster
Notes

Minor & Major PracticePlanV

1hour,30minutes
WarmUp(5minutes) / •Jogaroundbasesortofenceandback
Throwing(10minutes) / •Playcatch–hitthetarget(5minutes)
•Throwingrelaydrill(5minutes)Game
Fielding–threegroups(15minutes) / Infielders
•Groundballs/foursquare
•Doubleplays / Outfielders
•Flyballs
•Footballdrill / Catchers
•Blockingballs
•Framing
•Footwork
•Fieldingpopflies
Baserunning(15minutes) / •Throughfirst
•Thebanana
•Thequestionmark
•Firsttothird
•Secondtohome
HittingSituations(25minutes) / Four,fourandfour(orthree,threeandthree)
Infieldandoutfieldpregameroutine(20minutes) / Infield
•Throwtofirst
•Doubleplay
•Progressive
•Throwtohome
•Slowroller–throwtofirst
•Fly/Popflyballpriorities / Outfield
•Throwtosecond
•Throwtothird
•Throwtohome
•Doordie–throwtohome
•Followthethrowhome
•Fly/Popflyballpriorities
Roster
Notes

Practice Drills Summary

ThrowingDrills

Flickdrill

Elbowinglove,usewristonlytothrowballtopartner.Elbowheightequaltoshoulder.Emphasizewristsnapatreleasetoimprovevelocity,carryandaccuracy.

Armdragdrill

PlayerssitIndianstyleholdingballongroundnexttothem.Dragballbackongroundasfaraspossibleandthenuptothethrowingposition.Throwingelbowheightshouldbeevenwithshoulderandelbowshouldbebentat90degreeangle.Atthethrowingposition(the“T”)theballshouldbefacingawayfromtheplayer(seamsout)andtheglovepointedattarget.Playerthrowsballtopartner,emphasizingfollowthroughandglovetuck.

One-kneedrill

Throwingsidekneeisonground.Glovesidelegisoutfrontat45degreeangleandinlinewiththrowingsideknee,pointedatpartner.Footisclosedto45degreeangle.Glovearmisupandpointingattargetwithaslightbendintheelbow.Throwingarmisinreadypositionwithelbowequaltoshoulder,at90degreeangleandballpointedaway.Asplayerthrows,gloveistuckedintochest/armpit,andafterballisreleased,throwinghand/armcrossesfrontsideleg.

Two-kneedrill

Bothkneesareonthegroundandplayerisfacingpartner.Glovearmisupandpointingattargetwithaslightbendintheelbow.Throwingarmisinreadypositionwithelbowequaltoshoulder,at90degreeangleandballpointedaway.Asplayerthrows,gloveistuckedintochest/armpit,andafterballisreleased,throwinghand/armcrossesfrontsideleg(”takingcandyoutofthepocket”).

Playcatch–hitthetarget

Playcatch.Ifplayerhitspartnerinface/headareatheyget2points.Ifplayerhitspartnerabovebeltintheuppertorsoarea,hegetsonepoint.Firstpersontotenwins.

Back‘emupthree

Formtwolineswithplayersfacingoneanotherinpairs.Playersplaycatch.Iftheballiscaught,onepartnerbacksupthreesteps.Continuewithonepartnerbackingupthreestepseachtimeballiscaught.Apartnerteamisoutiftheballisdropped.Winnerislastteamstanding.

Throwingrelaydrill

Lineplayersupingroupsofthreeorfourplayers,approximately20-30yardsapart.Player“A”throwstoplayer“B”,whointurnthrowstoplayer“C”(the“relay”),andso.Ifballisdropped,itmustbereturnedtothethrowerbeforeitcanbeadvancedtothenextplayer.FirstteamtoreturntheballtoPlayerAwins.Emphasizethrowingtoatargetandgivingthe“cutoffman”athrowhecanhandle.Receivingplayershouldprovideatargetandpositionhimself(movingforwardorbackwardsifnecessary,i.e.,toavoidshorthops)toreceivetheballandmaketheproperturnandthrowtothenextplayer.

Longtoss

Formtwolineswithplayersfacingoneanotherinpairs.Playersshouldbeseparatedenoughsuchthatitisdifficulttoreachoneanotherwithalinedrivethrow.Emphasizethelinedrivethrow–athrowthatbouncesonceortwiceisacceptable.Thisdrillbuildsarmstrengthandimprovestheaccuracyoflongerthrows.

InfieldDrills

Alligatorarms

Breaktheteamupintogroupsofthreeorfour.Beforestartingthedrill,explaintotheplayershowanalligatorjawworks–theballisitsfood.Makesureplayerisintheproperfieldingposition(kneesbent,buttdown,handsoutfront).Rolltheballtotheplayer.Whentheballenterstheglove,thebarehandcoverstheballtosecureit.Theplayer’sheadshouldremaindown,andemphasizebringingtheballintohisbelly.Youcanperformthisdrillwithorwithoutgloves.

Shuffle

Breaktheteamupintogroupsofthreeorfour.Playerassumesproperfieldingposition.Rollballstotheleftorrightoftheplayer.Playershufflesonceortwicetofieldtheballandtossesbacktocoachwhilemaintainingtheproperfieldingposition.Coachreceivestheballandrollsagainforcingtheplayertoshuffleintheoppositedirection.Repeat4-6timesforeachplayer.Emphasizemovingfeetquicklysoplayercanfieldtheballinfrontofhim.Introducerollsatgreaterdistancefromtheplayersoheisrequiredtopivot,crossoverandrunafewstepstoensureballisfieldedinfrontofhim.

Breakdown

Lineplayersupalongthefoullineandrequesttheyassumethefieldingposition.Say“go”.Playersrununtilyousay“field”,atwhichpointplayersbreakdownintofieldingposition.

Repeat.

Ready,set,go

Lineplayersupsotheyarefacingeach,approximately10-15yardsapart.Playersinonelinehavetheball.Whenyousay“ready”,playersbreakdownintofieldingposition,holdingtheballintheirgloveswiththeirhandsoutfront.At“set”,playersbringballintotheirbellythenpopupintothrowingposition,withfrontfootandglovehandpointingattheirpartner.At“go”,playersthrowballtotheirpartner.Emphasizefollowthroughandglovetuck.

Rollbackandforth

Lineplayersupsotheyarefacingeach,approximately2-3yardsapart.Playersproceedtorollballtoanother.Playersshouldremaininfieldingpositionthroughoutthedrillandemployproperfieldingmechanics(handsoutfront,headdown,bringballintobelly).Performdrillfor20-30seconds,giveplayersabriefbreak,thenstartdrillagain.

Rapidfire

Emptyabucketofballs.Lineupplayersinsinglefile,orseparateintosmallgroups.Putemptybucketnexttotheplayers.Coachrollsballstotheplayersrapidly.Astheplayeriscatchingtheball,thenextballisrolledsotheplayersareforcedtomovequickly.Fieldedtheballsareplacedinthebucket.Youcanusethisformatfortheshuffledrillaswell.

Foursquare

Youwillneedatleastfourcoaches/volunteerstoperformthisdrill.Placeplayersatinfieldpositions(2-3playersateachposition).Twocoachesstandonthirdbaselineandhitballstofirstandsecondbaseman.Twocoachesstandonfirstbaselineandhitballstoshortstopandthirdbaseman.Hitgroundballsandinstructplayerstomakegoodthrowsbacktothecoach.Rotateplayersamongstpositionsevery3-4minutes.Makeagameofit.Playermustfieldtheballcleanlyandmakegoodthrowbacktothecoach,otherwise,theyareeliminated.Lastplayerstandingwins.

Middleinfield/Doubleplaydrills

Breakplayersupintotwogroups,oneattheshortstoppositionandoneatthesecondbaseposition.Aplayerorcoachcanplayfirst.

4-6-3doubleplay:

•Hitorrollballsatdirectlyatthesecondbaseman,emphasizingapivotmoveandmakingaccuratethrowtotheshortstopcoveringsecondbase.

•Hitorrollballstoleftofthesecondbasemansoheisrequiredtorunorshuffleafewstepstofieldtheball.Instructplayertomakeaspinmove(turningbodysobackisfacinghomeplate)andaccuratethrowtosecondbase(shortstopcovering).

•Hitorrollballstorightofthesecondbasemansoheisrequiredtoshufflefeettofieldtheball.Thisplayshouldresultinaflipthrowortosstotheshortstopcoveringthebag.Instructplayerstosay“flip”sotheshortstopknowsitwillbeanunderhandthroworsofttoss.Secondbasemanshould“followthetoss”toensureanaccuratedelivery.

6-4-3doubleplay:

•Hitorrollballsdirectlyattheshortstop,emphasizingpivotmoveordropstep,andmakinganaccuratethrowtothesecondbasemancoveringthebag.

•Hitorrollballstorightoftheshortstopsoheisrequiredtorunafewstepstofieldball.Instructplayertomakedropstepandanaccuratethrowtosecondbaseman.

•Hitorrollballstotheleftoftheshortstopsoheisrequiredtoshufflefeettofieldtheball.Thisplayshouldresultinaflipthrowortosstothesecondbasemancoveringthebag.Instructplayerstosay“flip”sothesecondbasemanknowsitwillbeanunderhandthroworsofttoss.

Stresstheimportanceoffirstmakinganout(“makesureofone”)–thedoubleplayisthe bonus.Iffieldedballisbobbledordropped,playistofirst.Tellplayerscoveringsecondbasetoalwaysgiveatarget(holdhandsuptogetherinuppertorsoarea)andtoexpectabadthrow(playersshouldtakeshortchoppystepsastheapproachsecondbasesotheycanreacttooff-targetthrows).Demonstratepivotmovesatthesecondbasebag(e.g.,thestraddle,crossover,step-back).Forballshitfartotheleftofsecondbaseman/rightofshortstop,theplayercoveringsecondbecomesafirstbaseman(i.e.,stretcheswhenreceivingtheball).Tellplayerscoveringsecondbasetoholdballifthereisnoreasonablechanceofturningthedoubleplay(avoiderrantthrows).

Hotcornersituations

Breakplayersupintothreegroups-thirdbasemen,firstbasemen,runners.

Manonfirst,lessthantwoouts:

•Hitorrollbaseballstothirdbaseman.Hardhitballsatortotheleftorrightofthirdbaseman,playistosecondbase.Ifballishitsoftlytothethirdbaseman(i.e.,aslowroller),playistofirstbase.

Manonfirstandsecond,lessthantwoouts:

•Hitorrollbaseballstothirdbaseman.Hardhitballstotheleftofthirdbaseman,playistosecondbase.Hardhitballsatortotherightofthethirdbaseman,playerstepsonthirdandthrowstosecondorfirstbase,assumingthereisaplaytobemade.Ifballishitsoftlytothethirdbaseman(i.e.,aslowroller),playistofirstbase.

Again,stresstheimportanceofmakinganout.Ifballisbobbledordropped,playistofirstbase.Ifnoplaycanbemade,holdtheball.

Outfield/PopFlyDrills

Popflies

Breakplayersupintotwoorthreegroups.Throworhitflyballstoplayers(atennisracquetworksnicelytoo).Demonstratethepropertechnique,forexample,bothhandsshouldbeheldouthighwithpalmsfacingup.Headandshouldersshouldbedirectlyundertheballwhencatchisbeingmade.Throwinghandcoverstheballasitenterstheglove.

Leftandrightflyballs

Breakplayersupintotwoorthreegroups.Playerstandsfacingcoach.Throwtheballovertheleftorrightshoulderoftheplayer.Stresstheimportanceofthedropstepwiththefootclosesttotheball(i.e.,ifballishitoverleftshoulder,theplayershoulddropstepwithleftfoot).Teachtheplayerstoruntothespotwheretheythinkthecatchwillbemade,turningtheirback,ifnecessary.Discourageback-pedaling.

Footballdrill

Breakplayersupintotwogroups.Playerstandsfacingcoach.Explaintoplayersthatyouwilleitherraiseyourrightorleftarm.Ifrightarmisraised,playerdropstepswithhisleftfootandsprintstohisleftata45degreeanglefromstartingpoint.Ifleftarmisraised,playerdropstepswithhisrightfootandsprintstohisrightata45degreeanglefromstartingpoint.Leadtheplayerwithathrowasyouwouldafootballtoareceiver.Thisdrillteachesplayershowtomaintainfocusontheballandcatchwhileinafullsprint.Havesomefunwiththisdrillandbreakoutthefootball!

Groundballs

Breakplayersupintotwoorthreegroupsintheoutfield.Throworbatgroundballs.Forslowerhitballs,instructplayerstochargeballthenbreakdownastheywouldwhenfieldingagroundballintheinfield.Forharderhitballs,showplayershowtodroptoonekneetoensureballdoesnotgetpastthem.Afterfieldingtheball,playersshouldpopupandthrowballtocoachorcutoffman.

Doordie

Thisdrillisdesignedtoteachplayershowtochargeandfieldballshitintotheoutfieldandthrowplayersout(“doordie”)orpreventthemfromadvancingabase.Breakplayersupintotwogroups.Throworbatgroundballstotheplayers.Instructplayerstochargetheballandfielditwhilemaintainingastride.Playersshouldpositionthemselvessuchthattheyfieldtheballontheirglovehandside.Afterfieldingtheballtheplayertakescrowhopandthrowstocoachorcutoffman.

Fly/Popflyballpriorities

It’simportantthatplayersunderstandwhohasprioritywhenthereisapoporflyball.Whenpracticinginfield/outfielddrills,spend10-15minutessimulatingvarioussituations,forexample,flyballstoright-centerorleft-center,popfliesinshallowcenter,popfliesintheinfield,etc.

Also,explainthehierarchy,asfollows:

•Notonlyisyourcenterfielderisthe“captain”oftheoutfield,buthealsohaspriorityoverallotherpositionsinthefield.Teachyourcenterfieldertotakecontrol,andifhecancatchaflyballorpopflyinright,leftorshallowcenter,heshouldcallallotherplayersoff.

•Outfieldershavepriorityoverinfielders.Onballshittotheshallowoutfield,instructyouroutfielderstocalloffinfielders(it’seasiertomakeacatchrunningasopposedtorunningback),butonlyiftheythinktheycanmakethecatch.

•Yourshortstopisthecaptainoftheinfieldandshouldcalloffallotherfielders,providedofcoursehehastheabilitytomakethecatch.

Coach’snote:Assoonasoneinfieldercallsforacatch,allotherinfieldersshouldbetaughttoruntocovertheirrespectivebases.

•Theshortstopandsecondbasemanhavepriorityonpopfliesbehindthirdandfirstbase,respectively.Itismucheasierforashortstoporsecondbasemantocatchaballrunningtohisleft(e.g.,intoshallowrightfield)orhisright(e.g.,intoshallowleftfield)thanitisforathirdorfirstbasemantryingtocatchaballovertheirshoulder.Also,remindtheshortstoporsecondbasemanthatoutfieldershavepriority.

•Thethirdorfirstbasemanhavepriorityonshortpopfliesbetweenthemandthecatchinfairorfoulterritory.Again,it’smucheasiertomakeacatchrunninginthanitisrunningback.

•Forpopfliesaroundhomeplate(fairorfoulterritory),teachyourcatcherstoturnwiththeirbacksfacingtheinfieldandtotakeacoupleofstepsback.Thistypeofpopflywillnaturallydrifttowardsfairterritory,sousingthistechniquewillincreasethelikelihoodthattheballwillbecaught.

Coach’snote:Onpopflyfoulballsbyleft-handedbatters,teachcatcherstolookovertheirleftshoulderfirst.Lefthanded-batterswillrarelyhitapopflyballtothefirstbasesideinfoulterritory.Ifaright-handedbatterhitsapopfoulball,catchersshouldlookovertheirrightshoulderfirst.

Whenpracticingthesedrills,gettheplayerstoformahabitofeithercallingfortheball(“Igotit,Igotit!”)or“acknowledging”thatateammateiscleartocatchtheballthattheyhavecalledfor(“you,you,you!”).Playersfieldingflyballsshouldalso“waiveoff”theirteammates.

BaseRunningDrills

Straightthroughfirst

Theobjectiveistoteachplayerstheproperwaytoruntofirstbaseonagroundballtotheinfield.Linetheplayersupahomebase.Simulateagroundballhitintheinfield.Instructplayerstofindtheballwithinthefirstfewstridestowardsfirstbasethenkeepheaddownastheyrunthroughthebase(lookingfortheballslowsthemdown).Discourageslidingintoorlungingtowardsfirstbasebag.Playersshouldpracticesteppingonthehome-platesideoffirstbase(i.e.,notthemiddleorbackportionofthebag)toimprovespeedtobagandreduceinjury.

Thequestionmark

Theobjectiveistoteachplayerstoidentifywhenabattedgroundballmakesitthroughtheinfieldandtomaketheproperturntowardsandthroughfirstbase.Linetheplayersupahomebase.Simulateagroundballhitintheinfield.Instructplayerstofindtheballwithinthefirstfewstridestowardsfirstbase(theyarestillonthefirstbaselineatthispoint).Whentheyseetheballhasmadeitthroughtheinfield,theyinitiateaturnandproceedtoandthroughfirstbase.Theresultingrunningpathshouldresembleaquestionmark.Emphasizesteppingonthecornerofthebagfacingtheinner-diamondandtakingshortchoppystepsaftertheypassthebag.Playersshouldkeeptheirfeetmovingsoiftheoutfielderbobblestheball,theyarepreparedtotaketheextrabase.Ifballisfieldedcleanly,instructplayerstoquicklyreturntofirstbase.

Thebanana

Theobjectiveistoteachplayershowtoexitthebatter’sboxproperlyonacleanbasehit(orflyballtotheoutfield),andtomaketheproperturntowardsandthroughfirstbase.Linetheplayersupahomebase.Simulateabasehittotheoutfield.Instructplayerstoexitthebatter’sboxata45degreeangleinfoulterritorythenbeginmakingturntowardsinnerpartofthefirstbasebag.Theresultingrunningpathshouldresembletheshapeofabanana.Emphasize

steppingonthecornerofthebagfacingtheinner-diamondandtakingshortchoppystepsaftertheypassthebag.Playersshouldkeeptheirfeetmovingsoiftheoutfielderbobblestheball,theyarepreparedtotaketheextrabase.Ifballisfieldedcleanly,instructplayerstoquicklyreturntofirstbase.

Firsttothird

Thisdrillteachesplayersrunningfromfirstbasehowto“pickup”thethirdbasecoachonabasehittotheoutfield,andtomaketheproperturnaroundsecondbase.Linetheplayersupatfirstbaseandplaceacoachinthethirdbasecoach’sbox.Simulateabasehit.Instructplayerstorunhardandpickupthethirdbasecoachapproximatelyhalftotwo-thirdsofthewaytosecondbase.Thethirdbasecoacheitherwaves(windmillmotion)theplayertothirdorholds(botharmsup,palmsfacingout)theplayeratsecond.Iftheplayerseesthatheisbeingwavedtothird,heshouldbeginmakingaslightturnandsteponthecornerofthebagfacingtheinner-diamond.

Secondtohome

Thisdrillteachesplayersrunningfromsecondtohomehowtopickupthethirdbasecoachonabasehittotheoutfield,andtomaketheproperturnaroundthirdbase.Linetheplayersupatsecondbaseandplaceacoachinthethirdbasecoach’sbox.Simulateabasehit.Instructplayerstorunhardandpickupthethirdbaseimmediately.Thethirdbasecoacheitherwaves(windmillmotion)theplayerhomeorholds(botharmsup,palmsfacingout,playermakestheturnaroundthird;orpointingtothebag,indicatingplayershouldstoponthebag)theplayeratthird.Again,playershouldmaketheproperturnandsteponthecornerofthebagfacingtheinner-diamond.

Notetothirdbasecoaches:Ifyouwanttheplayertoadvancehomeoratleastmaketheturn,leavethecoach’sboxandpositionyourselfaone-thirdorhalfwaytohome(infoulterritory).Ifyouwanttheplayertostoponthirdbase,remainincoach’sboxandpointtothebagwithonehandandwiththeother,holdupindicatingplayershouldstop.Also,nevertouchtheplayerasheisroundingthebag.

Diamondrelay

Thisisafundrillbutitalsoteachesplayershowtomaketheproperturnsaroundthebases,includingsteppingontherightpartofthebag(seedrillsabove).Splittheplayersupintoteamsoftwo.Halfoftheplayersgotosecondbase,andtheotherhalfremainsathomeplate.At“go”playersbegintosprintaroundthebases.Afterthey’vecompletedtheirtouraroundthebases,theytagthenextplayerinline,relaystyle.Firstteamtocompletetherelaywins.

HittingandSituations

Softtoss

Positionplayerperpendiculartoandapproximately2-3yardsawayfromfenceorbattingcagescreen.Ifpossible,useaportablehomeplatesotheplayerknowswheretostandinrelationtotheplate.Thecoachtakesakneeandpositionshimselfapproximately2-3yardsfromthe playerandata45degreeanglefromtheplayer’smid-section.Thecoachproceedstounderhand(“softtoss”)tennisorwiffleballstowardstheplayer’smid-section.Theplayerhits theballintothefenceorscreen.Reinforceallthebasichittingfundamentalsduringthisdrill,forexample,properstance,handpositioning,weightshift,stride,swingplane,andhittingthetophalfofball.Teachtheplayershowtotimethetoss.Forexample,loweringyourhandbefore thetossissimilartoapitcherbreakinghishandsbeforeapitch,inwhichcasetheplayershouldbeginhisweightshiftandstride.Forolderormoreadvancedplayers,tosstheballhigher (playermuststillwaitforballtodropdowntomid-section)sotheplayerlearnstokeephandsandweightback,orwithmorevelocitytowardshismid-sectionsoheisforcedtomakeaquickerswing(“throwyourhands”).

Wifflecircle

Arrangeplayersinonetotwocirclesandpitchwiffleballsfromoneknee.Continuetofocusonmechanics(properstance,handpositioning,weightshift,stride,swingplane,andhittingthetophalfofball)andintroduceconceptsoftimingandtempoformoreadvancedplayers(e.g.,theybeginstrideasyoubringarmbackinthrowingmotion).Playersshouldbein“ready”positionwhilewaiting(noswinging!).Pitchthreetofourballstooneplayerthenmoveontothenext.Askparentstohelpcollectballsandkeepkidsseparated.

Four,fourandfour

Thisdrillisacombinationofbattingpracticeandsituations.Breakteamsupintothreeteamsoffour,orthree,ifnecessary.Also,attempttoevenlydistributeyourskilledplayersamongsttheteams.Oneteamtakesbattingpracticewhiletheothertwoteamstakepositionsinthefield.

Throwfivetosixpitchestoeachplayerandonthelastone,havetheplayer“runitout”andthefieldersmaketheplay.Proceeduntilthebattingteamhasmadethreeouts.Rotateteams,andtheteamwiththemostruns(orhits)wins.

Manager’s Evaluation

TeamName
Evaluator(s)
PlayerName / FieldingGroundballs / FieldingFlyBalls / ThrowingMechanics / HittingMechanics / CatchingFundamentals / PitchingMechanics / BaseRunning / BaseballKnowledge / Attitude / Coachability / Total(50)

Player Evaluation

Player Name:

Manager Name:

Team Name:

Year:

Category / Rating
FieldingGroundBalls
FieldingFlyBalls
ThrowingMechanics
HittingMechanics
CatchingFundamentals
PitchingMechanics
BaseRunning
BaseballKnowledge
Attitude
Coachability
Total

Summary:

Manager’sSignature: