The Wheel

Practice with Tennis Racquet

The Target

The Relay

WARM-UP

 

Running drills:

 

Description: All players are side by side on a line. Players do the exercise on a 45 feet distance, going and returning.

 

Variations and progressions:

A. Military walk

D. Cross steps, front and back

H. Sprint, baseball start

I. Backpedal run

 

Warm up: Warming-up with various exercises giving opportunities to stretch the body and prepare itself for baseball practice.

 

Throwing and receiving:

 

Exercise "The Wheel"

 

Description: In pairs, the players play catch using the proper mechanics.

 

Equipment: 1 “Incrediball” for each player

 

Variations and progression:

A. Players simulate the mechanics without a ball.

E. Players are executing on command:

1)           Throwing arm goes down

2)           Reach back

3)           Lift arm to shoulder height

G. Add one step with the glove side (giant step), just before throwing

 

HITTING

 

Exercise "T-Ball"

 

Description: With a partner or a coach located to the side of the player, ask player to hit the ball from a tee. Ensure the tee is placed in front of home plate and NOT on it. Others pick up the baseballs. 

 

Equipment: T-ball, various bats and balls

 

Variation and Progression:     

B. Hit the ball through a hoop

 

Key points:

Feet wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on the bat

 

Exercise "Practice with Tennis Racquet"

 

Description: With a coach standing in front of the player at 30 feet and throwing overhand, simply ask the player to hit the ball with a tennis racquet.

 

Equipment: Tennis racquet and tennis balls

 

Players are usually set up as follows:

- 2 players hitting

- 2 players catching behind the hitters

- 1 player feeding balls to the coach

-rest of players in the field (gathering balls)

 

Players rotate (in pairs) from the field, to catching behind the hitters to hitting, and finally back to the field.

 

After coach has thrown a ball to one hitter, he/she immediately throws the next pitch to the other hitter.

 

Players rotate after each group has had 10-15 quality swings.

 

BASE RUNNING

 

Exercise "Tag Baseball"

 

Description: Install hoops behind 1st base and home plate. Install hoops on 2nd and 3rd base. One or some players have the tag. Players have to reach the next base while following the base paths. Player with the tag must leave the mound to touch players.

 

Equipment:      4 bases minimum and 4 hoops

 

Variation and progression:

A. Ask parents to participate

B. Allow players to run anywhere in the infield and to go to a base for a tag protection

C. Add balls on the mound. Player must go get a ball and then come back to his base without being tagged.

 

Key points:

Possibility to pass 1st base and home plate

Make sure to avoid too many players at each base

 

THROWING

 

Exercise "The Target"

 

Description: While using the proper throwing technique (giant step, arm action and grip), the player tries to reach a target from an appropriate distance to be successful.

 

Players are placed in 2-3 columns and throw one after the other. A parent, located behind the fence returns the balls to the next player in line.

 

Equipment: Balls, target (can filled with water, Graco basketball hoop or target bullseye)

 

Variations and Progression:

Change distance in relation to the players’ abilities.

 

Key points:

Make sure the grip is appropriate

Glove side foot forward when throwing

 

Exercise "The Relay"

 

Description: Split players into 2 groups (depending on the number of players). Each team forms a line. A hoola hoop filled with balls of different kinds is located 30 feet in front of each team, with two cones placed at 15 feet and 30 feet from the hoop.

When given a signal, a player goes to the hoop and from there tries to throw a ball at each cone. Two throws are allowed. The player then returns to the line and the next player attempts the task.

 

Equipment:

Several balls (2 minimum) of all kinds

2 cones per team so between 4 and 6 cones

2-3 hoops

 

Variation: 

Distance -  depending on players’ abilities (closer or farther)

A. If player hits 1st cone = 1 point, 2nd cone = 3 points; first team to finish = 2 points

B. You can add challenges... between line and hoop (be creative!).

C. Without cones and hoops, teams are in line. Players throw to a partner. First team to go all the way and back gets the point.