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The Wheel
Practice With a Tennis Racket
Description
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:
A. Military walk
I. Backpedal run
E. Football sprint
Warm-up:
Description: 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:
C. On both knees
F. Execute 3 circles before throwing:
- small circle
- medium circle
- large circle
G. Add one step with the glove side (giant step), just before throwing.
HITTING
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.
THROWING
Exercise "The Football Pass"
Goal: Throwing harder with accuracy while adding receiving
Description: Split players into 2-3 groups (depending on total number of players). Each team forms a line. At a given signal, first player in line does a banana path. The following player in line throws a ball to the first player who attempts to catch it. The player then returns to his line and becomes the one who will throw the ball to his partner.
Equipment:
- Several balls (1 minimum per player) of all kinds
- 2-3 small footballs
Variation and Progression:
Change the distance depending on players’ abilities (closer or farther away) and use several types of balls and maybe even a small football.
A. The player catching is walking with his glove
B. The player catching is running with his glove
C. The player catching is running barehanded (softer balls)
RECEIVING
Exercise "Out !"
Goal: Teach players to field a ball and throw the ball back
Description: Form 2 groups of 3 players. One player is located at mound area and the 2 others at first base (or at home plate for second group).
One player halfway between home plate and first base, rolls a ball at the player standing on the mound who then fields it and throws it to the player at first base. Then rotate (follow the throw)
Equipment: Various balls
Variations & Progression:
A. Use different type of balls
B. Could create a competition between the 2 groups on fielded balls
C. Have the players back off (greater distance)
D. Place players in infield, 2 men fungo: 6-3, 4-5 and any other infield situation
Key points:
Take your time and do it properly.
GAME & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Exercise "Out"
Goal: Teach and explain to players how to make an out.
Description: Play a game and instruct players to touch the runners to make an out.
Variations and progression:
-Make a couple of teams and play mini-games using only one base.
-Play mini-game using 4 bases.
-Rotate the teams to change match-ups.
Key points:
Touch the runner with the ball before the runner touches the base.
Exercise "Fair/Foul Ball"
Together the infield and outfield make up what is known as “fair” territory. Batters want to hit the ball into this area as it allows them to start running the bases (and hopefully end up scoring a run for their team).
Straight lines drawn on the field from home plate to the outfield fence are known as foul lines and they separate fair territory from foul territory. If a batter hits a ball behind or outside of fair territory it is called a “foul” ball. A batter cannot start running the bases on a foul ball.