The Wheel

The Crocodile

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

C. Shuffle steps

H. Sprint, baseball start

I. Backpedal run

 

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:

A. Players simulate the mechanics without a ball.

B. Players sit with leg crossed.

C. On both knees.

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:     

E. 3 swings and hit

 

Key points:

Feet wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on the bat

 

Exercise "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

 

RECEIVING

 

Exercise "The Crocodile"

 

Description: Coach instructs the players to simulate the proper way to receive a ground ball.

 

Equipment: Several types of balls (minimum 1 per player) and bigger balls.

 

Variations and progression:

B. Coach rolls a ground ball

C. In pairs, one player rolls the ball and the other receives it

*Do exercise with and without gloves

 

Key points:

Always put hands out like a crocodile's mouth

"Pet" the ball when receiving it

Feet and hands form a triangle