43Drills

Purpose:
This game helps your catchers develop the skill of blocking pitches in the dirt.

Equipment:
Catcher in full gear; 2 cones; baseballs

Setup:
Place a cone on each side of the catcher. Vary width depending on age, skill level.

Execution:
Coach will position himself about 30 feet in front of the plate depending on arm strength. For younger players I would recommend having a coach or parent throw the balls instead of a player.

Throw balls to the catcher between the cones. Throw most in the dirt, but also throw some in the air to make sure the catcher isn’t dropping early. Vary throws on each side and in front of the catcher.

Throw 10 pitches and count the number of goals allowed.

Repeat the drill 2 or 3 times.

Track goals allowed from practice to practice.

When catcher is consistently blocking most pitches, widen cones to force the catcher to take a step before dropping. See Skills: Blocking Page 2 for technique used on pitches that aren’t close to the plate.

Purpose:
This game helps your pitcher work on accuracy and understanding when he starts aiming the ball. The second purpose of this game is for your catcher and pitcher to work on communication.

Equipment:
Catcher in full gear; Pitcher; Mound; 1 baseball

Setup:
A bullpen area where a pitcher can throw. Pitcher will work on fastball and/or changeup only.

Execution:
Pitcher will warm up properly. After warm-up and a number of pitches on the mound, the game will begin.

Catcher has the role of catcher and umpire. Catcher will call a pitch and location. This should be done with signs not verbally. The catcher should set up and give a good target in the location he wants the ball. Have the catcher imagine a ring around his glove with a certain diameter. This will vary in size depending on age and ability. You may give a young pitcher 6 inches on all sides and a high school pitcher 1 inch.

The pitcher will throw the pitch. If the catcher can catch the pitch within the imaginary circle he has set up, the pitch is a strike. If not the pitch is a ball.

Scoring: A walk is a -1 and a strikeout is +1. Catcher and pitcher keep a running total. Record the + or - score at the end of the game.

The catcher should also watch for the pitcher aiming the ball. The easiest way to determine this is be aware of the speed of the pitch. As the pitcher finishes his warm-up the catcher is aware of the speed of the fastball. If during the game the catcher notices a fastball coming in slower and thinks the pitcher is aiming it vs. being tired, he will call it a ball whether it was within the circle or not. In this case the catcher should stand up and tell the pitcher that he is aiming the ball. Discussion and disagreement are normal, but just as with an umpire, the call stands. This will give the catcher a chance to develop some leadership and communication skills and the pitcher some feedback.

The catcher should gauge whether the game is too easy or difficult and adjust the diameter if necessary.

You may want to have a parent or another pitcher counting pitches and put a limit for the game. The one thing you don’t want to have happen is a tired pitcher trying to throw the ball too hard in order to keep the catcher from calling a ball based on aiming.

Purpose:
This is a good conditioning drill that is primarily used for pitchers, but can be used early in the season to help condition all players.

Equipment:
2 - 4 baseballs

Setup:
This drill can be done with 2 players or a player and coach. You need a minimum of 2 balls, but I usually grab a couple extra. Player should stand between 10 and 15 feet away from the coach depending on age.
Player will have no glove. Coach will have 2 balls ready and any extras within reach.

Execution:
pitcher baseball drillPlayer will get into a fielding position. Coach will start the drill by rolling 1 ball at an angle to the player (Number 1). The player will shuffle to the ball and field it with his bare hands. He will immediately stop and start shuffling in the other direction as he rolls the ball back to the coach. Coach will roll the next ball at an angle to the other side (Number 2). Continue going back and forth for about a minute.

Players should be warmed up before doing this drill. It is tiring and should be used as a conditioning drill towards the end of practice and not as a warmup drill.

Purpose:
Give pitchers practice at fielding bunts and making plays both at 3rd and 1st.  This is a great bunt defense and baseball defensive drill.
Equipment:
Baseballs

Setup:
You can run this drill with 1 or 2 pitchers at a time. If using 2 pitchers have a pitcher stand on each side of the mound and have 2 catchers on each side of home plate.

Execution:
Each pitcher will go through the pitching motion and throw a pitch to the catcher. The coach will roll out a ball down the third base or first base line. If down the third base line the pitcher will field it and make the pivot and throw to third. If down the first base line the pitcher will make the throw to first.

pitching bunt defensive drill

Have one pitcher throw and then the other to keep the drill running continously.

You can also roll some just in front of the plate to have the catchers work on the same drill.

Purpose:
Improve a pitchers ability to focus on accuracy and throw strikes.

Equipment:
Catcher in full gear; baseball.

Setup:
Use a rubber home base and a catcher. Put 4 cones down with the first cone being 1/2 way between home plate and the distance to the mound. Place the second cone 3/4 of the way, the third cone would be the distance to the mound and the final cone would be another 1/4 distance beyond the mound.

Execution:
After a proper warm-up the pitcher will start at the first cone (1/2 distance) and throw 10 pitches to the catcher at 3/4 speed. The catcher will count balls and number of pitches. If the pitcher makes it to 10 pitches from a distance before throwing 4 balls, he can move back to the next distance after completing the tenth pitch. If he throws 4 or more balls at the distance, he must stay at that distance for the next 10 pitches. The goal is to successfully complete all distances throwing 3 balls or less at each distance.

Coaching Note:
Since a pitcher is pitching at different distances and not off a mound, don’t use this drill to help them work on mechanics. This drill should be used to help them work on concentraction and focus. Many pitchers who have good mechanics, simply have a tough time contentrating for an entire innning when they’re on the mound. This drill can help them develop that concentration. As you’ll see in the modifications below, you should adjust this drill for the skill level of the player. You want to make sure they can be successful enough that they are encouraged to keep improving. If a player doesn’t have the skill to make it past the first level, they will most likely be frustrated with their failure and will be too frustrated to work on improving their focus which is the point of the drill.

Modifications:
For younger players have a parent call balls and strikes and keep track of number of pitches. You may also change it so they only have to throw half of the pitches for strikes to move back to the next distance.

As they improve you can then change the requirements to make it more difficult.

This is a great drill to track during the season. Challenge the kids to see if they can make it through all the levels and then make it more difficult.

Purpose:
This drill helps your first baseman work on covering first base and the footwork required to receive the throw.

Equipment:
Baseballs

Setup:
Have first basemen in a line at their position.

Execution:
Coach will stand midway between first and second.

First player in line will run to first and get in position to receive the catch. Coach will deliver a throw trying to alternate the location of the throw so players can work on footwork in all directions.

Once a player has caught the ball he will throw it back to the coach and go to the end of the line.

As players go through the line, coach should move to simulate throws coming from other positions.

Purpose:
This drill helps your first baseman work on fielding balls thrown in the dirt.

Equipment:
Baseballs

Setup:
Have first basemen in a line by first base.

Execution:
Coach will stand midway between first and second.

Coach will throw the ball in the dirt to the first baseman. Ball should be thrown on all sides to allow first basemen to work on fielding balls in the dirt on different sides and angles.

Once a player has caught the ball he will throw it back to the coach and go to the end of the line.

For younger players use softer baseballs to allow them to gain confidence. Don’t use tennis balls as they won’t give a true enough hop.

Drill:

Purpose:
This infield drill gives players a chance to work on the double play, play multiple positions, field and throw in a game type situation.

Equipment:
Fungo and Baseballs

Setup:
Have players take a position in the infield.

Execution:
Start by hitting the ball to the third baseman. He will then throw to second to start the double play. If he miss plays the ground ball or makes a bad throw, he will go to the end of the line, which in this game is first base. The player who has been at the other positions the longest will move up to the next position. First to second; Second to shortstop; Shortstop to Third.

Continue to hit ground balls to all other positions as you would during a normal infield.

To keep it moving and give everyone the same number of ground balls, don’t hit more than one ball to each player. So if a shortstop makes and error and has to go to first, don’t hit another ground ball to him at first.

Purpose:
Players get practice fielding grounders while moving toward the ball. Helps them concentrate on fielding and making an accurate throw.

Equipment:
balls and cones or other equipment to mark off starting and scoring area.

Setup:
Players will start at a specific spot, outfield grass will work if you have it. Otherwise use a couple of cones or something else to mark the starting spot.

Scoring area for younger players will need to be set up similar to image 1 below.

Execution:
This is a fun game to play with 2 to 4 players at a time. Emphasize with your players to work on the rhythm of moving toward the ball, going down to field it, and making the throw in a smooth motion.

First player up will start on line and coach will hit or throw a ground ball (ball should be hit at a speed that will allow the player to move toward the ball).
Player will move in, field the ball and make a throw to first base.

Scoring
Younger players should have multiple ways to score points (See image 1 below). You can modify the scoring based on the skill level. Tee ball kids for example you may allow the ball to roll between the cones and get full points. Coach pitch, you could give them more points if it’s in the air. With older players, that you expect to make accurate throws, just use a player at first base.

* Young Players (image 1)
o Use 3 lines and cones that narrow as they get closer to first.
o Player throws it between first set of cones they get 1 point. Second set 2 points. Third set 3 points.
o If the ball gets by them, they can still make a throw from the starting point, but they get 1 point taken away.
* Older Players (image 2)
o Player or coach can play first base.
o Player bounces it to first base, but on target, 1 point. Player throws it on target in the air, 2 points. Overthrow or pulling the first baseman off of first, no points.
o With older kids they cannot make a throw if the ball gets by them. Take 1 point away from the total if they don’t field the ball cleanly, but keep it in front of them.

Play complete rounds, until a player reaches a score of 15 or 20 depending on skill level. If more than one player is tied at the end of the final round, all players continue 1 round at a time until 1 player wins. This will keep everyone involved throughout the entire game and could allow a player to catch up in the extra rounds.

Purpose:
The idea of this rotation drill is to give each infielder a chance to field 3 different types of ground balls and make a throw after fielding.

Equipment:
Two throw down bases or cones; extra cones to mark starting positions; baseballs; bats

Setup:
Split your team into four groups.

One group will split up and catch the throw next to each coach.

Coaches/Parents are shown with hats in the diagram below.

The other three groups will be in the field in a line as shown in the diagram.

Execution:

infiield baseball rotation drill

Each parent/coach will hit or throw a ground ball (yellow line in diagram) to the fielder in front of them. In this example:

* A normal ground ball is hit to the fielder at the top.
* A timed forehand grounder is hit to the fielder in the middle.
* A timed backhand is hit to the fielder nearest 3rd base.

*** Timed forehand or backhand means that the fielder must wait and time his approach to the ball so he can field the ball with either a forehand or backhand.

After a number of balls have been fielded by each player, rotate the groups one spot.

Ground balls can be hit at the same time or staggered slightly. The player should field the ball, make a throw and then move to the end of the line.

* As with any drill that involves the use of a bat, safety is a primary concern. Tell your players they are not to go near a coach with a bat as they move from station to station.