DRILLS - Core Concepts

Mini Diamond – Super Tool

A valuable tool for teaching many of the fundamental aspects of the game is the Mini Diamond.  We use this to train the player positioning, movement and communication aspects of the game.

A Mini Diamond is 20’-25' square; we modify, larger or smaller, depending on the activity.  It is constructed using cones, throw down bases, ball caps, a hoodie, a leaf, anything.  When we compact the teaching/learning environment, distractions are reduced, communication improves, and players get many more repetitions.

Examples of drills using a Mini Diamond:

• Relays

• Backing-up and Base coverage responsibilities

• Bunt Defense

The throwing and catching skills needed to execute a play on a full sized diamond are trained daily during 'Playing Catch Practice'.

Moving the Ball (options)

Most kids consider only one option for moving the ball around the field: throwing overhand.

We want to teach the three ways to move the ball:

1. Overhand Throw - for medium and long distance throws

2. Underhand Toss - used when the player is approximately 25’ or closer to their target

3. Carry the ball - when a fielder can reach a base before the runner OR when the runner are no longer attempting to advance on the base paths.

KEEP the Ball MOVING

The ball is constantly in motion.  No standing in place holding the ball. The moment a player handles the ball they immediately do one of two things:

1. Throw the ball

2. Run with the ball towards the middle of the infield

Other than recording an out, the priority of the team in the field is to get the ball to the middle of the infield as quickly as possible. When the ball is in the middle of the infield, it is an equal threat to runners at each base.

The two instances that players commonly stand and hold the ball:

1. Outfielders not knowing where to throw the ball

2. Infielders, after making a play at a base

Outfielder

Each step closer to the middle of the infield, the more of a threat the outfielder with the ball becomes. And the shorter the distance to throw once they determine where the ball needs to go.

Infielder

There often are multiple runners on the base paths. The instant an infielder catches a throw at a base or makes a tag on the runner, they want to turn and begin moving towards the middle of the infield (taking them closer to the other three bases), prepared to throw, while Looking for Other Runners.

Underhand Toss

This is a Major League Skill.  In any given MLB game the underhand toss is utilized 5-10+ times.  On the smaller diamond where the players are positioned closer to each other there is a higher percentage of situations where the distance the ball needs to be transported a short distance.

Most of us are familiar with the scene where the player with the ball is not far from the player they want to throw to and we see uncertainty: “How hard do I throw the ball when my teammate is so close?”

Educating our kids that an underhand toss is an alternative option and then drilling them daily in this skill results in kids successfully completing many of these ‘simple’ plays, which in fact are very difficult when throwing the ball overhand is the only option in the mind of the player holding the ball.

Turn Glove Side

In situations when a player is fielding, catching, or picking up a ball with their back to where they need to throw the ball, they Turn Glove Side to prepare to throw.  When throwing the ball a player wants the 'glove side’ of their body pointing at their target.

The most efficient way to get lined up to throw is for a player to turn in the direction of their glove. Only a 90 degree turn is required to go from having one's back to the target to being lined up to throw.  Also, the momentum of the turn leads into the throw.

However, kids tend to turn the opposite direction.  Reasons:

(1) Turning to the Glove Side is ‘blind’.  When making the 270 degree turn to the Throwing Arm side, in the process, the player is fully facing their target and ‘see’ their target well before throwing. They are more ‘comfortable’.

(2)  The momentum of a thrown ball usually pulls players to their throwing arm side, so they just ‘go with it.

The problem with turning to the throwing-hand side is it is 270 degrees and the momentum of the turn is away from where they need to throw.  Most of the time the player doesn’t complete the turn, doesn’t get properly lined up to make the throw, and doesn’t use their legs (Move Their Feet) to power the throw.  The result is a weak, inaccurate throw. 

Instruction:

• Move your Feet to Catch. We want to catch the ball on the Glove Side of the body.

• Use the teaching phrase, "Turn Glove Side".

Common situations that a player has their back to the target:

• Relay throws

• Pitcher fielding the ball

• Replaying muffed ground balls

• Catcher retrieving wild pitches and passed balls

Covering a BASE

On any given play a player has the responsibility to either (1) Play the Ball (2) Cover a Base, or (3) Back-up a Base. In most cases when an infielder is not playing the ball their responsibility is to Cover a Base.

The moment an infielder recognizes they are not going to be playing the ball, the Base becomes their singular focus until they are in position at the base to receive a throw. We instruct our players to Cover The Base With Your Eyes.

This means the player takes their eyes off the ball (the ball is another player’s responsibility), turn to face the base, focus their eyes on the base and spring to the base as quickly as possible, not taking their eyes off the base until they arrive at the base.

Once arriving a the base, THEN the infielder turns and faces the ball.

We want them on the same side of the base as the ball in a Ready Position prepared to take a throw.