Handcuffs

The Wheel

Light Toss

The Target

All Messed Up

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 progression:

B. High knees

F. Heel to butt

A. Military walk

C. Shuffle steps

 

Warm-up:

 

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

 

Throwing and receiving:

 

Exercise "Handcuffs"

 

Description: Players pair up with each other or with a parent. At a signal, players take a proper grip on the ball.

 

Equipment: 1 “Incrediball” for each player

 

Variations and progression:

E. On two knees, pick the ball off the ground and throw it to partner (or parent)

G. On two knees, throw the ball to a partner (or parent)

H. Standing up, throw the ball to a partner (or parent)

 

Exercise "The Wheel"

 

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

 

Equipment: 1 “Incrediball” for each player

 

Variations and progression:

E. Players are executing on command:

1)           Throwing arm goes down

2)           Reach back

3)           Lift arm to shoulder height

 

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:     

A. Standard t-ball

 

Key points:

Feet wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on the bat

 

Exercise "Light Toss"

 

Description: Players can do this in pairs or in groups of three (each group needs 6-10 baseballs). With a partner or a coach located at 45 degrees beside the batter, simply ask the player to hit the ball tossed underhand.

 

Get one player to kneel in front and to the side of the hitter and toss a ball with little or no arc in front of them.

 

After the hitter has had 10-15 quality swings, get the players to switch. The pitcher should keep the delivery consistent so that hitters can find their timing.

 

Equipment: Various bats and balls

 

Variations and Progressions:

B. Regular toss at 45 degrees with colored balls

 

Key points:

Feet wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on the bat

 

Excercise "Drill with Pitcher"

 

Description: With a coach located at 20 feet in front of the player, toss the ball with both knees on the ground while asking the hitter to hit the ball.

 

Players are usually set up as follows:

- 2 players hitting

- 2 players catching behind 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.

 

Equipment: Balls and bats

 

Variations and progression:

B. Baseball bats, small balls.

C. Baseball bats, wiffle balls.

 

Key points:

Feet must be wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on bat

 

BASE RUNNING

 

Exercise "The Challenge"

 

Description: All players are at home plate. At their turn (after player in front has reached 1st base), players round the bases. Between each base, there is a challenge to perform.

 

Equipment: Set of bases (minimum of 4), various items for challenges

 

Challenge examples:

A. Backpedal

B. Rounding cones

C. Roll

D. Jump between sticks

E. Pass under a stick on 2 cones

F. Jump over a partner

G. Shuffle steps or other running drills

H. T-ball

I. Field a ball, throw to the coach

J. Etc ... (be creative)

 

Key points:

More than one ability can be incorporated.

BE CREATIVE !!!!!!!

 

Exercise "Gotcha"

 

Description: Place 2-4 groups of players at each base or at home plate and 2nd base depending on number of players. Set up bases in diamond formation 20–30 feet apart.

 

On the signal “Go,” one player from each group starts running around the bases. The objective is to run past the person ahead of you.

 

Score 1 point for your team for every player passed.

 

Run for a set period of time (15-30 seconds).

 

Equipment: 4 bases

 

Variation and progression:

A. Use parents so players can try to pass them

B. Backpedal

 

Key points:

At all time, players must touch all bases

 

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

 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

 

Exercise "Around the horn"

 

Description: Have the players stand in a circle. Use an odd number of players if necessary. The coach gives  a ball to one player. At the start signal, the player throws the ball underhand to the second player to his right. While throwing the ball, he must say the name of the player catching the ball.

 

Equipment: Ball (baseball)

 

Key points:

Once the players become comfortable with 1 ball, the coach can add a second, third and fourth ball. See how many balls the players can handle at the same time.

 

RECEIVING

 

Exercise "All Messed-up"

 

Description: In pairs with no gloves, players face each other about 6 feet apart. Stationary, players throw the ball up in the air, left, right and below the waist; the receiving player must catch the ball without moving their feet.

 

Equipment: Various balls

 

Variations and progression:

- Use gloves

- Use tennis balls

- Use foam balls

 

Key points

Put thumbs together when catching balls chest high or higher to the left and right

Put pinkies together when catching balls below the waist

Fingers always pointing to the outside

Catch the ball using both hands