for
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Base
Running Relay
(Develop good baserunning)
The manager divides team into two teams and then splits each team in half. Half stay on the foul line (down the line a bit in the outfield) and the other half face them from center field. (You'll have a line at each position for each team).
Winning team is first to have all players swap sides by running to and then tagging their teammate. Do this a couple of times and then ask if they want it to be even more fun and have them run backwards.
This is the time when you should be looking for the player you want on third base, with the game on the line and you need to score that winning run.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Baserunning
(To give players
practice running bases)
Description: Each player stands in the batter's box holding a bat. The player swings at an imaginary ball on command, disposes of the bat properly, and then runs to first base. The coach stands at first base and calls: "Run through the bag", or "Take a turn", or "Second" loudly enough so that the runner can hear the command two or three strides before first base. Position a coach at second base to direct runners coming from first. This coach calls: "Stay", or "Round it", or "Third". The third base coach can give similar commands. So each runner can get the full spectrum of running after a one base, two bases, three bases, or home run hit.
Coaching Points:
The key to making aggressive turns on the base paths and heading on a straight line from first to second, second to third, or third to home is dipping the left shoulder and leaning the upper body toward the inside of the infield as the player rounds each bag.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Burma's
(To develop
running skills)
Divide the players equally among the four bases. One at a time from each base will be running, with the others waiting their turn. At 'go' from the coach, the four take off. Proper technique is a must and the goal is to do a certain amount right in a row, before going on to something else.
Player at the plate: Simulates a swing. Takes off as if hitting a double and possibly a triple. Makes a good turn at first. Picks up the 3rd base coach half way to 2nd. Rounds 2nd hard, 'picks up the ball' and returns to 2nd quickly.
Player at first: From a lead, goes from 1st to 3rd. Picks up the 3rd base coach half way to 3rd. Makes a hard turn at 3rd then returns quickly.
Player at 2nd: From a lead, goes from 2nd to home. Picks up the 3rd base coach and makes a good turn. Runs hard through the plate.
Player at 3rd: From a lead, goes back to the bag to tag. Takes off for home, rounds it, then takes off for 1st as if beating out a single. Looks inside towards the 1st base dugout as he crosses the bag for possible overthrow.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Head First Sliding
(To improve head
first sliding)
Except when
runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted.
During
sliding practice bases should not be strapped down.
All players are at home plate. The manager is in left field on the edge of the outfield grass and has a full ball bucket. The head coach is near second base, and the assistant coach is in the coach's box at first base. The first runner runs to first base and is given a signal by the assistant coach to turn and look to see if it is possible to advance to second base. As the runner rounds first base, the runner locates the manager in left field. The manager is holding a ball. If the manager drops the ball, the runner advances to second base and performs a bent-leg slide. If the manager brings the ball back in a throwing motion and acts like the ball is going to be thrown to first base, the runner quickly returns to first base and performs a head-first slide.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Relay Races
(Improves
baserunning skills & stamina)
Split the team in half, with one
group of players behind home plate and other half behind second base.
Give the first player of each group a ball
(this will be the "baton"
for the relay race).
On "GO!", the first player from each team begins running the bases, ball in hand. After making a complete lap around the bases (back to each player's starting point), that player hands the ball off to the next person who continues the relay race. First group of players to finish the race wins.
Kids will often beg for rematches and will voluntarily run the race all out
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Run & Steal
(Develop
aggressive baserunning)
Runners start at home plate. Swing and round first properly taking a wide, aggressive, turn and dive back into the bag. Runner gets up quickly, takes an aggressive lead, and takes off to steal 2nd sliding into the bag. Runner then gets up takes an aggressive secondary lead and dives back into the bag. He then steals third repeating the slide, getting up and taking an aggressive lead off third, in foul ground, dives back into the bag, coming back on the foul line. He gets up and sprints home (no slide at plate). The next runner takes off from home when the previous runner completes his dive into first and touches the bag.
The focus of this drill is to make runners very aggressive and not be afraid to get dirty! It also gets players practice in sliding and diving properly, which will hopefully keep them from injuries. It also tends to develop players who want to work hard and get dirty.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Run Through 1st
(Develop
player's ability to run through 1st base & recognize coaching signals)
All players line up single file about 10 feet from home plate.
One at a time, each player comes to the plate. With bat in hand, the player swings at an imaginary pitch, drops the bat and runs full speed to 1st. The base coach at first either gives them the "hold up" sign" or waves them to second.
If the player is to hold at 1st, make sure they do not slow down, but "run through" the bag and look to their right.
By looking to their right, they will be able to immediately see if there was an overthrow at first.
Once the player has finished their run, they return to the end of the line and the next player steps up to the plate.
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Simon Says
(Increase
reactions to game situations when baserunning)
Position players in one row down the first base line, 5 to 8 feet apart. Player will be simulating baserunning.
Players will run or tag-up according to the game situation you give them. Give them game situations using a "Simon Says" command. For instance, Simon says, "Pop Up" would mean the players would return (tag-up) to the line they started from. Once players get to the line at second base repeat the procedure (Simon Says) and send them back to the first base line. This drill can be used for conditioning at each turnout. Keep the drill moving quickly as it teaches players to think under pressure. Vary the commands between tag-up and run situations without setting a pattern.
Coaching Points:
Pause briefly between the situation (pop fly) and what happens (he drops it). Make up some of your own game situations to add variety
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Added April 6, 2003 |
Slip-N-Slide
(To teach
sliding skills in an easy non-threatening exercise)
One at a time, the players run hard to the slip-and-slide area and attempt to slide. Encourage them to throw out their legs and fly through the air.
Coaching Points: Make sure players start their slides just as they reach the wet grass area in front of the base.
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Added April 1, 2003 |
In the Dirt Drill
To
help players learn to read the trajectory of a pitched ball
Set players up at all three bases. They are independent of each other because each base has different rules for a ball in the dirt. A coach pitches from the mound and mixes in good and bad pitches to the catcher. Any time a ball is about to bounce the whole team yells "DIRT". This helps you make sure everyone is paying attention. Baserunners on first should automatically go when the ball is in the dirt. Runners on second should react to the ball in the dirt by getting a good lead and deciding if they can make third safely. If the ball gets away from the catcher they should go, if the catcher digs the ball out of the dirt, they should return to second. Runners at third should follow the same principles as the runner at second, get a good lead, gets a crow hop as the ball nears the catcher and then react to the whether the catcher digs the ball out of the dirt or not.
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Added April 1, 2003 |
Watch the Ball Through Drill
Teach players to watch the ball through as baserunners before taking the next base
Line up a player at first base, shortstop, second base and in shallow left, center and right fields. Line-up your remaining players in foul territory at first base. Start off the drill with a player on first. The coach hits to one of the fielders. If it's a fly ball to left field the runner at first should go half way between first and second and watch the ball to see if the fielder catches it. If the fielder catches it then the runner should return to first. If the fielder misses it then the runner needs to continue to second. Have the fielder's play the ball live. Continue the drill with different baserunning situations and hitting to different fielders.
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