Day 1 - Practice Plan

Before getting too deep into skill work, we want to teach our players some fundamental points of the game that often are skipped over. Examples:

Where in the glove the ball is caught, the role of the base in the game, the Catcher is the 'Fourth Baseman', how to cover a base, and that throwing underhand is a an available option.

Skills covered: catching the ball With The Feet, basics of throwing, ground ball fielding footwork. And the first piece for training Coordinated Team Play on defense: Infield Base Coverage responsibilities.

Drills / Activities

Wiffle Ball Batting

INF Base Coverage

Rec a Throw at Third Base (Tag)

Rec a Throw at First Base (Force)

Underhand Toss

20’ Ground Balls / 50’ Ground Balls

Explanations

The Glove - Catching a Ball

Move Feet to Catch - Receiving throws

The Base

Catcher = ‘Fourth Baseman’

Baseball is a Game of Movement (BBB)

Throwing Instruction

Ground Ball Fielding Instruction

Wiffle Ball Batting

The Glove - Catching a Ball

Receiving a Throw

receiving a throw at third base

Baseball is a Game of Movement (BBB)

infield base coverage DRILL

Throwing the ball in the infield (and for shorter throws up to 60’-70’ for kids) is more of a ‘Slinging’ action than a throw. (Video of MLB Shortstops throwing: 0:00-1:30 Full Speed; 1:30-3:15 Slo-Mo). The throwing elbow moves ‘sideways’, at shoulder level. It moves forward, as one piece, with the torso. Then the arm is propelled forward as a result of the Wrist-snap action. This is an ‘accelerated’ action; the elbow moves forward at ‘Medium’ speed, then the Wrist snaps at ‘Full Speed’.

Watch this Table Tennis player use the same technique (upper arm and torso move forward as one piece). Video (0:02 - player in red returning the serve; 0:05-0:08 - player in red returning the serve; then the next time he hits the ball.) This is a fundamental action of biomechanics: The arm and torso move forward together, as one piece. The arm Does Not work independently.

‘No Ball’ Drills

(to Train the Basic Throwing Motion)

Ground Ball Fielding Instruction

Movement Instruction

Receiving a Throw at First Base

First Baseman Footwork

VIDEO (Watch 0:20-0:26)

  1. Sprints to the Base

  2. Cover The Base With Your Eyes

  3. THEN turns to face the throw

  4. Ready Position

  5. Moves to ‘Stretch’ Position AFTER the ball is in the air (to confirm the throw is accurate, Before committing feet)

Throwing Instruction

Ground Ball DRILLS

Underhand Toss