43Drills

A fielder stands 40 to 60 feets in front of the hitter, and a shagger stands on the right side of the hitter.

The hitter hits 10 ground balls to the fielder while the fielder fields the ground balls and throws them to the shagger. After fielding 10 ground balls, the fielder will become the shagger and the shagger becomes the hitter and the hitter becomes the fielder.

Players start from a distance of 60 feet for little league or 90 feet for high school baseball. Infielders start with the glove on the ground with the ball in the glove and their throwing hand next to the glove. This helps the players learn to find the seams for throwing. On the coaches command of belly the infielder will bring the ball to their belly.

Skip step then load, and throw. Outfielders follow the same except they start with the ball in their glove above their head. Go hand in hand with this drill. Set-up two bats in the shape of a T. Throw starts with the pushoff leg on top of the T. Rythym up to the ball using baby steps either 123 or 12. The receiver is in position when the throwing leg is below the top of the t and on the opposite side of theT from non throwing leg. Then the receiver will skip step and load up to throw. Instep should be shown to target.

Players pair up for throwing at a distance of between 10 feet apart.Its a simple throwing drill from one knee which emphasizes the finish. Player does not load up on this drill but keeps their elbow in front of the body and snaps the wrist on the throw. Focus on grip and staying on top of the ball. This drill will help develop and reinforce basic throwing fundamentals.

Breakdown your players stance and inward turn into a four step process. Hitters will get positioned in their stance and begin rocking back and forth between the catcher and the pitcher, lifting each heel off the ground in a rhythm. Rock towards the pitcher, rock towards the catcher, rock towards the pitcher, rock towards the catcher, the motion should be very slight. Calling out 1, 2, 3, 4 to help the players develop a rhythm while they are moving. This drill will help players develop an inward turn for more hitting power.

To warm up the arms while throwing the players partner up apart a 10 feet distance and this distance should gradually be increased until they can no longer reach the receiver in the air without hopping the ball. Emphasize loading up, using legs, crow hop, step in front on crow hop. Good mechanics, high elbow above the shoulder, palm down, snap wrist on follow through. This drill develops arm’s strength and reinforce correct mechanics.

Make groups of four by dividing the team. Members of each group must stand 60 and 90 feet apart from each other depending on their age. Place first person on the first base foul line and spread the balance of players towards left field, infielders should be in the middle two relay positions so they can practice relay moves. Player at the beginning of the line gets the ball and at the command of the coach the players throw down and back a predetermined number of times. If theres an overthrow or the ball is missed, the ball must return to the start of the line and the throw should first be made accurately before the ball is advanced. This drill will help you simulate throwing under game conditions.

Setup a tee for hitting, you can also use a soft-toss. The lead hand, while executing swings, one should concentrate on keeping the hand above the plane of the ball. If the lead hand drops under then a pop up, strike out or fly out will usually occur. The hitter must turn the hips quickly for proper timing and power and the lead elbow should not extend fully before contact with the ball, since that will slow down the bat swing.

The lead hand swing allows a hitter to establish proper timing and power with the lead side of the body and giving the hitter proper contact with the ball.

Set one tee up in front of the plate on the inside to simulate an inside pitch and place the other tee in the middle of the plate on the outside to simulate an outside pitch. Make sure the tee for the inside pitch is set lower than the outside tee, then place two balls on the tees.Player should now take his stride and call out inside or outside while completing his stride.The player will then have to swing and hit the appropriate ball. By calling the location out after the stride, the hitter won’t be able to cheat during the stride.

Hitter will take his stance and the coach or parent will call out 1,2,3. Make sure you give the player and coach the opportunity to check his position at each pause. It also gives the coach a chance to see and correct problems that he may not be noticed when the player is hitting without a pause. Player will take his stance with a ball on the tee.Player must coil and hold.Player will stride keeping weight back and pause and then complete his swing.

Place the ball in the middle of the plate thigh high. Take a few swings then move the tee in and forward to simulate an inside pitch. Take a few swings.Move the ball outside and back to simulate an outside pitch. Take a few swings again.Use these three placements and this time vary the height of the tee to simulate high and low pitches. This drill will help the player effectively hit pitches in all locations.