Youth Baseball Lessons | Plans (Ages 10-12)

Day 1 – Practice Plan

Pre-Practice: Whiffle ball batting

0:00-0:10: Introductions

0:10-0:20: Teach: (a) Glove Fold (b) The Pocket (c) No ‘Tacos’

Receiving Throws:

Ready Position
Move Feet
Reach Forward

Drill: Move Feet to Catch

0:20-0:35: Movement Instruction

The Base

Catcher = ‘Fourth Baseman’

BBB (‘Baseball/Softball is a Game of Movement’)

Drill: Infield Base Coverage (Ball or Base)

0:35-0:55: Teach: Power Position & Move Feet to Throw

Drill: Receiving a Throw at a Base

Third Base (tag)

First Base (force)

0:55-1:00: <Break>

1:00-1:10: Drill: Underhand Toss

1:10-1:20: Playing Catch Practice

Throwing Instruction - Arm action

‘No Ball’ Drills

Turn & Pull x5
Drive & Pull x5
Wrist Action x8

1:20-1:30: Play Catch: 30’-35’ (Starting from Power Position)

1:10-1:30: Team Drills

Ground Ball Fielding Instruction

Fast, Slow, Fast
Get in Front of the ball…to Catch the ball
Short Hop, Top of the Hop

1:40-1:50: Drill: 20’ Ground Balls

1:50-2:00: Drill: 50’ Ground Balls

Fundamental skills introduced (these are often skipped over or not taught thoroughly):

Catching the ball with the feet
The throwing action
How to cover a base and receive a throw at a base effectively
Infield base coverage responsibilities & the fourth baseman
Underhand toss
Fielding footwork

Drills

Explanations

First Baseman Footwork

VIDEO (Watch 0:20-0:26)

Sprints to the Base
Cover The Base With Your Eyes
THEN turns to face the throw
Ready Position
Moves to ‘Stretch’ Position, if necessary, After the ball is in the air (confirm the throw is accurate, Before committing feet)

Throwing Action

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)

Turn and Pull

Objective

Players train their muscles and bodies to have the upper throwing arm and torso move as one piece as the throwing-arm elbow moves forward.

Set Up

Players in two rows of six.

Glove side of the body facing the “target”; elbows held at shoulder height (“power position”).

Throwing-hand palm facing away from the body.

Drive and Pull

Same set up as Turn and Pull.

Emphasis is now on the Back Leg.

Drive off the back foot (and Pull with the Glove Elbow). The result is the Torso moving forward, finishing with torso out over the front foot.

Same actions with the upper body: upper arm and torso move as one piece. Finish with the throwing-arm elbow slightly past the head/center line of the torso; glove elbow stopped prior to reaching the side of the torso.

We want zero/minimal effort made with the throwing arm.

Wrist Action

Set up in the finish position of the Drive and Pull action (the throwing-arm hand is approximately 12” past the head).

Drive the fingers straight down quickly (without moving the arm). The down action of the wrist is the result (“wrist snap”). Slowly raise the wrist straight up, then snap straight down again.

Repeat 8 times.

The wrist snap is a critically important part of the throwing action (and for pitching, too). We want our players to be focused and take this drill seriously. The wrist action impacts accuracy.

Day 2 - Practice Plan

The concept of a “Skill-Building Warm-Up” (SBW) is introduced. Before playing catch, players are warmed up by running them through baseball/softball skill-building activities.

Most practice content builds off the foundational pieces from Day 1. The entire series of practice plans is one continuous sequence of teaching. Each practice’s content is related to, and builds off, that of the previous practice.

Teaching of Coordinated Team Play on defense is expanded, introducing outfielders’ backing-up responsibilities.

Batting swing instruction begins; batting practice structure is introduced.

Pre-Practice: Whiffle Ball Batting

0:00–0:15: Skill-Building Warm-Up

Receiving a throw at a base (3B)
Infield base coverage (4–1 = 3)
20’ ground balls

0:15–0:35: Playing Catch Practice

Throwing Instruction

No Ball Drills
Play Catch (35’ | 60’: Move Feet)
Replaying the Ball (Teach)

0:35–0:50: Team Drills

Drill: Backing-up (Outfielders)

0:50–0:55: <Break>

0:55–1:10: Instruction: Turn glove side

Drill: Three groups

• 6–1 (underhand toss)
• 1–6 (turn glove side)
• 4–3 (ball to their right)

1:10–1:20: Batting Instruction

No-bat drills

1:20–1:35: Batting Practice Structure - Introduced

Explain Set-up and Routine to Players (using Mini Diamond)

[cones, representing 12 players, set out in advance]

Group 1 - Offense

Base Running (Ground Ball, Line Drive, Fly Ball)
Tee Station (Relationship of feet to Tee Stem/Ball)
Live Batter: No ‘One Mores’ (run to first after last swing)

Group 2 - Defense

Play balls off the bat (‘6th inning of Championship Game’)
Ground Balls: get in front TO CATCH
Fly Balls: ‘Mine’ (not, ‘I Got It’) …1 syllable instead of 3

Group 3 - Skills Station

Pitching & Wiffle Ball Batting
Pitch Instruction & No Ball Drills
Catcher Instruction (1) Stance (2) Target (3) Reach Forward

1:35–2:00: Batting Practice - 12-Player Drill

I. Batting: Live Wiffle Balls (only 6 swings today) Tee Work

II. Defense: Balls off the bat

III. Skills Station: Pitching | Live Wiffle

Batting

Instruction

Stance
Turn Back
Switch Heels
Face the Ball ...same concept as ‘keep eye on the ball’; entire face (both eyes) is directed towards the ball.

Head & Feet: In Place

The Head is Centered between the feet in the stance; Head is centered between the feet at the conclusion of the swing.

At the conclusion of the swing, the Feet remain In Place (not ‘stepping around’) - ‘Check Balance’

No Bat Drills

Turn Back x5 (Leg muscles only)
Switch Heels x8 (Coach, “Turn Baaack, Switch (Heels”)

Tee Work

Switch Heels*
Switch Heels (add: Face the Ball focus*). At the conclusion of the swing, batter is facing Contact Point (top of the Tee Stem).

* Check Balance (Feet In Place) after each swing (awareness)

Throwing & Pitching

Throwing Instruction (work from power position)

Legs power the throw.

Glove elbow pull (and leg drive) moves the throwing elbow forward.

…Don’t think throwing “arm”; only throwing elbow.

Upper arm and torso move as one piece.

…Upper arm moves sideways; elbow remains at shoulder level.

When the throwing elbow passes the head, wrist snap takes over.

…Wrist snaps down; arm remains at shoulder level.
(energy of the wrist snap carries the arm forward toward the target)

No Ball Drills

Turn & pull ×5 (upper arm and torso move as one piece)

Drive & pull ×5

Wrist action 6–7 seconds

Shuffle ×2 (3 shuffles)

Shuffle, shuffle, pull-snap… momentum (“follow your head”) ×2

Pitching Instruction

(first two points below build off first three points above)

No Ball Drills

Seesaw ×5

Snap down ×5 (energy of the wrist snap carries the arm down)

Rocking 4 seconds ×2 (power position)

Skills Station (Batting Practice)

Rocking from 35’: Drive & pull (anchor focus)

Rocking from 35’: Pull-snap (pitch down angle)

Skill Building Warm-up

Diagram showing baseball field positions and coverage zones for drills.

Replaying the Ball

Objective: Players learn to successfully pick the ball up off the ground during the fast-paced action of a drill, scrimmage or game.
We are simulating a situation where a player has missed a catch.

Set up: After playing catch from full distance, bring in one row of players so they are 25'-30' away from their throwing partner. Each player has their own ball.

Ball on the ground in Front of, or Behind, the Player

Place the ball 8' (three giant steps) in Front of, or Behind, the Player
Players in a Ready Position, facing their Partner/'Target'

Drill:
The actions for each situation are the same. The only difference is, in one case the ball is in front of the player, the other the ball is behind.
1. Fast to the Ball
2. Slow down to pick up the ball; feet set with glove side of body facing the 'target' (throwing partner) and the ball centered between the feet.
3. Pick up 'BOTH SIDES of THE BALL'. (1) Glove Hand on one side of the
ball, (2) Bare Hand on other side of the ball. Bring ball up to the chest, with elbows at shoulder height & feet wide (Power Position).
4. While bringing the ball to the chest; one shuffle towards partner.

BP Explanation to Team - Days 2 & 3

Set up (done in advance):

Throwdown Base for Base Running
Tee near Throw Down Base (for Stance at Tee Demo)
Skill Station cones in RF

Players: two rows of 6 at on first base side of infield

Coach at Throw Down Base

Talking Points (5-6 minute talk)
Offense Group
1. Base Runner: React to Balls off the Bat
2. Stance at Tee; Coach will give focus points for Tee Work
3. Point out Tee Station location
4. Live Batting: 10 swings; no 'one mores'. Run to first after last swing Home plate is just 1 of 5 batting stations.
2 min.

Defense Group

Fielders Mindset: Play balls off the bat as if it's the 6th inning of the
Championship Game. Ready Position for each pitch at an actual posi-tion. Keep eye on batter while returning to position. Don't play balls hit while returning to position. OF: let balls go that you have no chance to catch; focus on reacting to next ball hit.
2 min.
Skills Group (RF Corner)
Two players batting, 1 player pitching; 4th player either catching pitch-es of chasing wiffle balls. Coach tells pitcher what their focus points are; Pitcher throws for 3 1/2 mins., then next pitcher.
2 min.

Day 3 - Practice Plan

The Standard Practice Plan template is implemented. After 4–5 practices of following the same routine, day to day, the kids and coaching staff can anticipate the flow of activities of a practice.

The resulting increase in efficiency and productivity makes practices more fulfilling and fun for everyone.

The Playing Catch Practice aspect of the daily practice plan is now a bedrock “drill.” The players train the batting swing and the pitching/throwing motion each day before breaking out to play catch.

The drill wraps up with a skill segment. We rotate through the same three drills: (1) Replaying the Ball, (2) Relay Footwork, (3) Receiving a Throw at a Base (the full sequence of actions). The good habits built through these skills impact almost every aspect of the game beyond batting and pitching.

Another step is taken in teaching Coordinated Team Play with the introduction of the movement responsibilities of the pitcher and coordinating the infield with the outfield.

Relay Footwork skills, and the relay play from the outfield to home plate, are introduced.

0:00–0:15: Skill-Building Warm-Up

Backing up bases (outfielders)

1–6 play (turn glove side)

Replaying the ball

0:15–0:40: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting: Sideways karate chop

Pitching & throwing: Anchor | move feet

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

Pitching

Position player throwing (35’ | 60’: move feet)

Relay footwork (“turn glove side”) – teach

0:40–1:10: Team Drills

Teach: (1) I am going to GO GET the ball

(2) 3 players in the middle of the field (SS, 2B & P)

…Always move toward the ball

Drill: MIF/P movement – balls hit to LF/RF

Teach: Cut-relay to home

Drill: Cut-relay to home (mini)

1:10–1:15: <Break>

1:15–1:30: Batting Practice Structure – Review

Review with players (using mini diamond)

[Cones, representing 12 players, set out in advance]

Group 1 – Offense

Base running – reacting to balls off the bat at 1B

Tee station

Live batter: No “one mores” (run to first after last swing)

Group 2 – Defense

Play balls off the bat (“6th inning of championship game”)

Ground balls: get in front TO CATCH

Fly balls: “Mine” (not “I got it”)

Group 3 – Skills Station

Pitching & whiffle ball batting

Catcher review:
(1) Stance
(2) Target
(3) Reach forward

1:30–2:00: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

I. Batting: Live whiffle balls | tee work
II. Defense: Balls off the bat
III. Skills Station: Pitching | live whiffle

Batting

Instruction

Sideways Karate Chop (w/Switch Heels ...Legs start the action):

(1) Bent Elbow Drives first (Leads the action)

Straight forward, alongside the body

Top-hand is near the armpit when Elbow Drive is complete

(2) Hand & Forearm snap sideways (Palm of hand facing up)

…#1 & #2 are consecutive movements; one continuous movement)

Conclusion of Action:

- Hand is approximately even with front foot

- Elbow is bent, and alongside the torso

No Bat Drills

Twist 4 seconds x2
Turn Back x5
Switch Heels x5 (Coach, “Turn Baaack, Switch”)
Sideways Karate x10 (Coach, “Turn Baaack, Switch”)

Tee Work

(confirm Relationship of feet to Tee Stem/Ball)

Switch Heels (Check Balance: awareness)
Sideways Karate Chop (Elbow Leads the action)

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

Drive & Pull (Anchor)

Pull action stops when the elbow reaches the side of the torso
Anchor position is held until throwing action is complete

(Note: Position Players also Anchor ; their pull stops a bit prior to torso)

Drive, Pull-Snap (Demo the Actions)

Drive & Pull (Leg, Elbow)
Wrist Action (Wrist)
Snap Down

Throwing Instruction

Move Feet to Throw
Head straight towards target the entire action (‘Steering Wheel’)
Shuffle Feet. Drive hard off back foot. Gain Ground.
Wrist snaps down; arm remains at shoulder level
Keep momentum going forward after throwing …’Follow Your Head’

(The upper arm moves sideways, as elbow goes forward. The ‘throw’ is a ‘slinging’ action. Watch the arm action of these MLB Shortstops)

No Ball Drills

Turn & Pull (Anchor) x5
Drive & Pull (Anchor) x5
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds
Shuffle (3 shuffles) x2
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap …momentum (‘Follow Your Head’) x2
Seasaw x5 (allow torso to Tilt)
Snap Down x5 (allow torso to Tilt)
Rocking 4 seconds

Receiving Throws

Move Feet to Catch x1 each way

Playing Catch Practice

Rocking from 35’: Drive & Pull (Anchor focus)
Rocking from 35’: Pull-Snap (Pitch Down Angle)

Skills Station (Batting Practice)

Rocking from 35’: Drive & Pull (Anchor focus)
Rocking from 35’: Pull-Snap (Pitch Down Angle)

Relay Footwork

Objectives

Players develop awareness that, in most cases, the Cut-Relay Player needs to adjust their positioning when preparing to receive a throw from an Outfielder.
Develop Cut-Relay Player footwork.
Make a habit of always ‘Turning Glove Side’ to make a relay throw.

Set up

Players work with their throwing partner
All players in one row start with a ball. Coach calls out ‘”Ready Position!” to the other row of players; then hollers “Move Your Feet!” to the players with the ball (emphasizing the importance of proper throwing technique).
Receiving players ‘Move Their Feet to Catch’, ‘Turn Glove Side’, then Move Their Feet to Throw (towards an imaginary target).
Action is repeated, on the coaches call, with the original receiving group now throwing. Repeat, having each group throw 2-3x.

What Will Go Wrong

Players, after Turning Glove Side, can be lazy about ‘Moving Their Feet to Throw’ (Gaining Ground towards their ‘target’)
Fix: Coaches make it clear that there is an expectation that players execute technically sound footwork throughout the Cut-Relay Player series of actions ...we are building good habits.

Skill Building Warm-up

Relay Footwork

Objectives

Players develop awareness that, in most cases, the Cut-Relay Player needs to adjust their positioning when preparing to receive a throw from an Outfielder.
Develop Cut-Relay Player footwork.
Make a habit of always ‘Turning Glove Side’ to make a relay throw.

Set Up

Players work with their throwing partner
All players in one row start with a ball. Coach calls out ‘”Ready Position!” to the other row of players; then hollers “Move Your Feet!” to the players with the ball (emphasizing the importance of proper throwing technique).
Receiving players ‘Move Their Feet to Catch’, ‘Turn Glove Side’, then Move Their Feet to Throw (towards an imaginary target).
Action is repeated, on the coaches call, with the original receiving group now throwing. Repeat, having each group throw 2-3x.

What Will Go Wrong

Players, after Turning Glove Side, can be lazy about ‘Moving Their Feet to Throw’ (Gaining Ground towards their ‘target’)
Fix: Coaches make it clear that there is an expectation that players execute technically sound footwork throughout the Cut-Relay Player series of actions ...we are building good habits.

Day 4 - Practice Plan

Outfield Skills are the emphasis of the Team Drills segment

Team Defense, Relays and Receiving a Throw at a Base are reviewed

Coordinated Team Defensive Play is a constant focus each practice: ‘What to do when the ball is Not hit to you’. Players continue working on skills related to their positioning and footwork around the base. Batting Practice is a Drill; we want each player working on skill development, not shagging (picking up) balls.

0:00–0:15: Skill-Building Warm-Up

MIF & P - Ball to LF/RF (note: need to address ‘Ball to CF’)
Relay to Home (Mini diamond)
Receiving a Throw at a Base (1B)

0:15–0:35: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting - Anchor
Pitching & Throwing - Wrist Snap starts the Down Action of the arm

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice (35’)
Position Player Throwing (35’ | 60’: Feet & Wrist)
Catch, Tag, Power Position (Teach)

0:35–1:00: Team Drills

Drill: Three groups

(brief) Instruction for each prior to breaking into groups:

Fly Ball Communication
Drop Step
OF Ground Balls: Hit the Cut - ‘Box Mentality’

1:00–1:05: <Break>

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill\

Batting Practice - 12-Player Drill

I. Live Batting (Full Field )

Tee Work

II. Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position (‘6th Inning of the Championship Game’ mindset)

III. Skills Station

Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

Explain Structure
Each Player Bats 1x

*** Wiffle Ball Scrimmage ...on Rain/Wet Days***

Batting

Instruction

Anchor (Switch Heels)

Drive Back Knee: (1) Forward & (2) Down
Pushing off the Pad of the Back Big Toe

Finish Position:

Feet in Place - Balance (always be aware of Feet at end of the swing)
Head Over Back Knee (look straight down to check)

No Bat Drills

Twist 4 seconds x 1
Switch Heels x3 (Feet wider than the hips)
Switch Heels x5 (Anchor: Head over Back Knee)
Sideways Karate x5 (Elbow leads)

Tee Work

Switch Heels* (Anchor | Drive off Pad of Back Big Toe)
Sideways Karate Chop* (Elbow leads)

* Check Balance (Feet In Place) after each swing (awareness)

Pitching Instruction

Wrist Starts the Down Action of the arm
Reminder: Straight Lines ...all actions, including Head

No Ball Drills

Receiving Throws

Move Feet to Catch x1 each way

Throwing

Turn & Pull (Anchor) x5
Drive & Pull (Anchor) x5
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds
Shuffle (3 shuffles) x1
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap …momentum x2

Pitching

Seasaw x5
Snap Down x5 (Wrist starts the Down Action)

Playing Catch Practice

Rocking from 35’: Drive & Pull (Anchor focus)
Rocking from 35’: Pull-Snap (Wrist focus).Down Angle

Skills Station (Batting Practice)

Rocking from 35’: Drive & Pull + Snap Down (one continuous action)

Skill building Warmup

Catch, Tag, Power Position

Catch and throw diagram with instructions

Day 5 - Practice Plan

Building off Fly Ball work in practice #4. Follow up work, on skills introduced in the previous practice, goes a long way towards solidifying skills. We focus on training the Pitcher to break to a corner base on all balls hit in the infield. While doing this, infielders get ground ball work.

Batting Practice: our goal is, to see the kids (and coaching staff) demonstrating an understanding of the flow of Batting Practice and having this activity run smoother.

Scrimmage is settling in as a daily aspect of the practice routine and, like Batting Practice, is running smoother and more efficiently.

Pre-Practice: Whiffle Ball Batting

0:00–0:15: Skill-Building Warm-Up

6-5, P Backing-up
Drop Step
Fly Ball Communication: 2b & 1b

[Catcher(s): Position specific work on the side]

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting - Skip-a-Rock
Pitching & Throwing - Fingers Power Wrist Snap

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice
Position Player Throwing (35’ | 60’: Feet & Wrist)
Replaying the Ball

0:30–0:50: Team Drills

Instruction: Pitcher Movement - Balls hit to infield: Breaks to Corners on every ball to the Infield (BBB)

Drill: Three Groups

6-5 (SS deep, OH Throw); P Backing-up
4-6 (going away; OH Throw - Wrist)
3-4 (P Backing-up)

0:50–1:00: Toss Drills – Angling In

Keep Running
Reach Out to Catch

(‘Go For It’ in practice …don’t just let the ball drop)

1:00-1:05: <Break>

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Drill

I. Live Batting (Full Field )

Tee Work (p.3)

II. Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station

Pitching

Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

Review Structure
Each Player Bats 1x

Wiffle Ball Scrimmage ...on Rain/Wet Days

Batting

Instruction

Skip-a-Rock

Skip-a-Rock is the continuation of the Sideways Karate Chop action.
Just before contact, the Wrist snaps straight forward, similar to the action used when skipping a rock.
The energy of the Wrist Snap continues in a straight line out towards the field. The top-hand arm follows the hand/wrist in a straight line until fully extended.
Set-up for the Skip-a-Rock dill:

1. Switch Heels position (Feet wider than the hips)

2. Elbow (bent) at the side of the torso

3. Top hand near their armpit

No Bat Drills

Twist 4 seconds x1
Switch Heels x5 (Anchor: Head over Back Knee)
Sideways Karate x5 (Elbow leads)
Sideways Karate + Skip-a-Rock x5 (Start from Elbow Drive position)

Tee Work

Switch Heels (Anchor: Drive off Pad of Back Big Toe)
Skip-a-Rock

Pitching & Throwing

Instruction

Fingers, snapping down, power the Wrist Snap; the Wrist Snap leads the Snap Down action of the arm
We want to be very conscious of the movement of our fingers when throwing. It is important to focus on the fingers snapping straight down through the top of the ball.
Reminder: Straight Lines ...all actions, including Head (and fingers)

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Turn & Pull x5
Drive & Pull x5
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds (fingers power the action)
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap …momentum x1

Pitching

Snap Down x5 (Fingers start the action)

Playing Catch Practice

Rocking: Drive & Pull (Anchor focus)
Rocking: Pull-Snap (Fingers focus)

Skills Station

Rocking: Drive & Pull + Snap Down (Fingers focus)

Skill Building Warm-Up

6-5 Play

Ball delivered a couple steps to Shortstop’s right; Pitcher sprints to Back-up
Rotation: SS > 3b > P> SS (extra player is at Shortstop; jumps in on the next repetition).

LINK: Drop Step & ‘Toss Drills’ Explanation - found in ‘Fly Balls’ section of Drills

LINK: Fly Ball Communication Drill Explanation — found in ‘Team Defense’ Table of Contents

Diagram illustrating baseball field communication

Day 6 - Practice Plan

The daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery continues. We get in more training on Ball, Base, Back-up, while working in ground ball and fly ball work.

The first five days involved working on the various skills involved in executing the Relay to Home play. Today those pieces are put together to practice that play on the full field.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

6-1 w/LF Back-up
Toss - Angle In
Backing-up (P + OF)

[Catcher(s): Position specific work on the side]

0:15-0:35: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting - Bottom Hand HINGE
Batting - Switch Heels (Heel-Knee)
Pitching & Throwing - Stride

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching
Position Player Throwing (35’ | 60’: Feet & Wrist)
Skills: Relay Footwork

0:35-1:00: Team Drills

Movement Instruction: Pitcher, When breaking to corners on Ground Balls: look to see if ball goes past Infield

Group 1

Relay to Home Full Field (players have extra ball available)

Group 2

5-4: Wrist snap emphasis (two groups of 3 players; mass reps)

1:00-1:05: <Break>

1:05-1:40: Batting Practice - 12-Player Drill

I. Live Batting (Full Field )

Tee Work (p.3)

II. Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station

Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40-2:00: Scrimmage

Each Player Bats 2x

Wiffle Ball Scrimmage ...on Rain/Wet Days

Batting

Instruction

Bottom Hand HINGE

Any movement of the Bottom Hand, during the swing, is a result of effort from the top-hand Elbow or the Wrist Snap.
The Bottom Hand does not apply force in the swing.
The Bottom Hand works as a HINGE for the swing. When used properly, the bat snaps Past the Bottom Hand during the ’swing’.

(Bottom Hand also helps with Direction ...discussed later).

Switch Heels (Heel-Knee)

Our focus now, for Switch Heels, is driving the Heel (straight back) and Knee (straight forward) towards each other. The key piece is to recognize that the Heel is below the Knee. The Knee drives forward and Down (towards the Heel) solidifying the Anchor.

No Bat Drills

Bottom Hand x2 whole group; x8 individually
Switch Heels x3 (Heel-Knee)
Sideways Karate x5 (lead with Elbow)
Skip-a-Rock x5

Tee Work

Switch Heels (Heel-Knee) x5
Skip-a-Rock (Feel: past Bottom Hand) ...Until time to rotate

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

The Stride is a controlled, SLOWER, movement than the rest of the delivery.
The elbows reach Power Position a bit before the stride foot lands.
The torso should be centered between the feet when landing the stride. A common mistake is having the torso too far forward at the conclusion of the stride.
When practicing Stride

1. It is critical to focus on the stride foot moving in a straight line towards the catcher.

2. We want to Reach the stride foot a bit further than what is comfortable. Over time, we lengthen our stride resulting in more power in the delivery

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Turn & Pull x5
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap x1

Pitching

Seasaw x5
Stride x7

Playing Catch Practice

Stride

Skills Station

Rocking: Pull-Snap (Fingers start the Wrist Snap)
Stride (from 35’) focus

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 7 – Practice Plan

We address the critical team skill of taking care of the ball while getting it back to the pitcher after the base runners have stopped trying to advance (end of the play).

Base running through first base is taught and trained.

Executing a rundown is taught and trained.

0:00–0:20: Skill Building Warm-Up

(Base Running Instruction: Through First Base)

Relay to Home

21 Gb Weave

Base Running – Through First

[Catcher(s): position-specific work on the side]

0:20–0:40: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Coordinating Both Hands Together

Pitching & Throwing – Fast-Faster (Acceleration)

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing (‘Feet & Wrist’)

Skills: Catch, Tag, Power Position

0:40–1:05: Team Drills

Teach: ‘Eat it! Run it In!’ | RULE: No Overhand Throws (demo)

Teach: Rundown (Ambush)

Group 1
Relay to Home Full Field (ball to LF; SS going out)
Catcher mixes in ‘Eat it! Run it In!’

Group 2
Rundowns – ‘Ambush’ (between first & second bases)

1:05–1:10: <Break>

1:10–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)
Tee Work
Defense
Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station
Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00:

Scrimmage/Sliding (Pick a day the grass is wet; skip scrimmage)

Defensive Responsibility & Movement (BBB):

Teach a bit each day.

Reinforce/acknowledge during scrimmage. Good coaching goes beyond teaching and correcting. Good coaching includes acknowledgement of when players do things correctly.

SBW (7)

Running Through First – BR

Catch, Tag, Power Position – PCP

Eat it, Run it In; Cut-Relay to Home Drill – TEAM DRILLS

Rundown (‘Ambush’) Drill – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

We are adding a focus point to the Skip-a-Rock action.

The palm of the hand remains facing up as the wrist snaps forward in the Skip-a-Rock action.

At the conclusion of the wrist snapping all the way forward, the thumb ends up above the fingers (the bottom knuckle on top of the bat when swinging a bat).

As the arm begins to extend, the focus switches from the wrist snap to the bottom knuckle of the thumb. The batter points that knuckle straight out toward the field.

The ‘Point Knuckle’ focus helps the batter maintain the energy of the Skip-a-Rock action (and the swing) in a straight line.

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 8 – Practice Plan

Building off relay and rundown work in practice #8. Follow-up work on skills introduced in the previous practice goes a long way toward solidifying skills.

Base Running: Touches and Turns; working on taking two bases on balls hit to the outfield.

Mass Ground Balls & Fly Balls – Mass repetitions is the bedrock of skill development.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

Cut-Relay to Home, mini diamond (mix in ‘Eat It, Run It In’)

Rundowns – Ambush

Base Running: Through First Base

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Elbow to Belt

Pitching & Throwing – Elbow to Belt

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Skills: Replaying the Ball

Team Drills

0:30–0:40: (Base Running Instruction)

Drill: Turns & Touches

0:40–1:00: Mass Gb/Fb

5-3 (to actual first base…important to get actual perspective)

6-3 (to throw down base up right-field line)

Toss Drills (Fly Balls Angling Back – 50/50 mindset)

1:00–1:05: <Break>

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)
Tee Work
Defense
Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station
Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

Defensive Responsibility & Movement (BBB):

Teach a bit each day.

Reinforce/acknowledge during scrimmage. Good coaching goes beyond teaching and correcting. Good coaching includes acknowledgement of when players do things correctly.

SBW (8)

Replaying the Ball – PCP

Turns & Touches (BR) – TEAM DRILLS

Mass Gb & Fb (8) – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

Elbow to Belt …allow TILT

In the swing action, the top-hand elbow drives to the hip (belt). The result is a slight TILT in the shoulders. Moving ahead, anytime the drill/swing focus is Sideways Karate Chop or Skip-a-Rock*, the batter drives their elbow to belt and allows shoulders to TILT.

Set-up for Skip-a-Rock

Switch Heels position (Feet wider than the hips)
Elbow (bent) at the side of the torso
Top hand near their armpit

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-Up

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 9 – Practice Plan

Base Running – two bases, review and repetition.

Continue daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery.

Ground ball fielding repetitions emphasized.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

Turns & Touches – 3B (Accelerate off the bag: we are scoring!!)

4-6

4-1 (RF: Go Get the Ball!)

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Rhythm

Pitching & Throwing – Rhythm, 4-8-10

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching

Position Player Throwing

Catch, Tag, Power Position

Team Drills

0:30–0:40: Drill: Base Running Turns & Touches

0:40–1:00: 3 Groups

5-4

4-3 (to their right)

3-6 (‘Step Across’; Feet & Wrist)

1:00–1:05

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)
Tee Work
Defense
Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station
Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

Skill Building Warm-up

Baseball field diagram with play instructions

SBW (9)

Catch, Tag, Power Position – PCP

Turns & Touches – TEAM DRILLS

Three Groups (9) – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

Hands Inside the Ball (Bottom Hand)

When the ball is approaching the batter, or when swinging off a tee, the batter wants to focus on the inside edge of the ball (not the entire ball).

When initiating the swing, the batter points the bottom hand along the line to the inside edge of the ball.

The bottom hand is the HINGE in the swing. It also provides direction for the swing.

Rhythm (Swing Set)

The ‘Turn Back, Turn Fast’ action is one continuous movement (some young players turn back, stop, then start again). The change of direction in the ‘Turn Back, Turn Fast’ action works like a swing at the park.

A swing goes back (against gravity), slowly, then changes directions and accelerates forward, fast (with gravity).

A swing doesn’t levitate for a few seconds before starting forward. The rhythm of the Turn Back, Turn Fast action is similar to that of a swing.

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-Up

Day 10 – Practice Plan

Review and Repetition.

Relay to Home; Cut and Redirecting Throws to Second and Third Bases.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

Receiving a Throw at 3B (tag) – Cover the Base w/Your Eyes

6-4 (Underhand Toss)

Receiving a Throw at 1B (force) – Cover the Base w/Your Eyes

[Catcher(s): Position specific work on the side]

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Lower Half Turn

Pitching & Throwing – Leg Drive at End of Stride

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Relay Footwork

Team Drills

0:30–0:40:

Drill: Base Running Through First Base

0:40–1:00: Cut-Relay to Home (ball to RF) – Cut 3, 2

Mini Diamond

Players at all Positions. Follow Defensive Movement and Responsibility Rules

Reminder: P, SS, 2B – Always move towards the ball

1:00–1:05

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)
Tee Work
Defense
Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station
Pitching
Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

SBW (10)

Catch, Tag, Power Position – PCP

Turns & Touches – TEAM DRILLS

Three Groups (9) – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

Firm Front Side (Front Leg)

During the Switch Heels action, the batter uses equal force with the front leg as with the back leg.

When finished with driving the front heel back and down, the front leg remains firm, resisting the forward force of the back leg.

The result of the front and back legs driving straight, in opposite directions, is the turn of the legs/hips. Power generation for the swing comes from the strongest muscles in the body (legs).

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

Leg Drive (& Pull) at End of Stride, leading into landing of Stride

Bring elbows up to Power Position while striding out. It is important to get elbows up to shoulder level before landing stride foot.

With elbows at Power Position, and just before landing the stride foot:

Drive forward, forcefully, with back leg
Pull glove elbow

We want to land the stride:

With stride foot flat
Foot directed towards the catcher (doesn’t have to be perfectly straight)
Stride leg slightly bent
Glove elbow anchored
Throwing-arm elbow just past the head

(momentum will carry the body forward after completing the action)

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-up

Diagram showing baseball plays and positions.

Day 11 – Practice Plan

Review and Repetition.

Wild Pitch/Passed Ball Communication introduced.

The daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery continues.

Extra Ground Ball work.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

Cut-Relay to Home – Cut 3 (mini diamond)

Turns & Touches @ 2B (Accelerate off the bag: let’s go first to third a lot this year!!)

Wild Pitch/Passed Ball Communication

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Firm Front Side

Pitching & Throwing – Rhythm, 4-8-10

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Replaying the Ball

0:30–0:55: Team Drills

Three Groups Drills

6-4 going away (Feet & Wrist)

3-6

3-1

0:55–1:00

1:00–1:35: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Batting Group
Fielders Group

III. Skills Group

1:35–2:00: Scrimmage

Batting

Instruction

Straight Line Path of Hands (Bottom Hand Path Awareness)

The sequence of the straight-line actions with the hands:

Bottom Hand: directed at the line to the inside edge of the ball
Top Hand: Wrist snaps straight forward, like skipping a rock
Extension: After the Wrist Snap, point the knuckle of the thumb
Bottom Hand: remains on the swing line until top-hand arm is fully extended

Coordinating Both Hands Together (Straight Lines)

The Bottom Hand moves forward only as a result of the actions of the top hand. Top-hand skip moves bottom hand forward.

Skip-a-Rock – ×3 (Drill)

Start w/Both Hands at back armpit

Hands together…no effort w/Bottom Hand

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 12 – Practice Plan

Review and Repetition.

The daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery continues.

First & Third Defense.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

21 Gb Weave

Running through first base (Full Speed; let’s put pressure on the fielders every Gb this year!!)

Wild Pitch/Passed Ball Communication

0:15–0:35: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Hands

Pitching & Throwing – Leg Drive at End of Stride

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Catch, Tag, Power Position

0:35–0:55: Team Drills

First and Third Defense

0:55–1:00

1:00–1:35: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)

Tee Work

Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station

Pitching

Batting: Live Wiffle

1:35–2:00: Scrimmage

SBW (12)

Catch, Tag, Power Position – PCP

First & Third Defense – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 13 – Practice Plan

Review and Repetition … emphasis on Pitcher Defense

The daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery continues.

Throwing skills emphasized.

Relay to Home, Ball Hit Past Outfielders.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

1-5

1-6

1-3

[Catcher(s): Position specific work on the side]

0:15–0:35: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Elbow to Elbow

Pitching & Throwing – Leg Lift

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Relay Footwork

0:35–1:00: Team Drills

Group 1

Cut-Relay, Ball Past OF (6 players)

Group 2

Catch, Tag & Throw (full diamond) 5 players; (Catcher: 1:1 w/coach)

(Set up a diamond in the OF using throw-down bases)

1:00–1:05

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)

Tee Work

Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station

Pitching

Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

SBW (13)

Relay Footwork – PCP

Cut-Relay, Ball Past OF – TEAM DRILLS

Catch, Tag & Throw (Full Diamond) – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

Elbow to Elbow (Bottom Hand Control)

The Elbow Drive takes place before the hands begin to work (there is some forward movement of the hands, to the area near the back armpit, as a result of the Elbow Drive).

Drill: Set-up in Switch Heels position. Drive back Elbow to Belt; moving the back elbow closer to the front elbow (‘Elbow to Elbow’).

Objective is to limit the movement of the Bottom Hand/Lead arm as much as possible.

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching & Throwing

Pitching Instruction

Leg Lift (optional…if kids use it, practice when drills below call for Stride)

Set Position with hands together, and centered, at chest.

Stride Foot comes up …and back, to a point even with Drive Leg

Down a Slide

Stride foot goes down at approximately a 45-degree angle^

Just prior to landing, the stride foot ‘levels out’^ and reaches forward towards the catcher

^The path of the stride foot is like going down a slide; a slide doesn’t shoot the rider into the ground, it levels out at the bottom.

No Ball Drills

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-up

Day 14 – Practice Plan

Review and Repetition … emphasis on Pitcher Defense

The daily, step-by-step development of the batting swing and pitching delivery continues.

Bunt Defense.

0:00–0:15: Skill Building Warm-Up

Toss Drills – Angling In

Catch, Tag & Throw UH Toss (mini diamond) [Coach = 5th player]

3-1

0:15–0:30: Playing Catch Practice

Instruction

Batting – Knee & Elbow | Hard-Quick

Pitching & Throwing – Leg Lift

No Bat Drills / No Ball Drills

PCP Routine

Pitching Practice

Position Player Throwing

Replaying the Ball

0:30–1:00: Team Drills

Bunt Defense

1:00–1:05

1:05–1:40: Batting Practice – 12-Player Drill

Live Batting (Full Field)

Tee Work

Defense

Play balls off the bat at a position

III. Skills Station

Pitching

Batting: Live Wiffle

1:40–2:00: Scrimmage

SBW (14)

Replaying the Ball – PCP

Bunt Defense – TEAM DRILLS

Batting

Instruction

Knee-Elbow (Max Effort)

The Knee Drive & Elbow Drive generate power and energy for the swing. Batters should put maximum effort into driving the Knee and Elbow straight forward.

Hard-Quick = Elbow-Wrist

Once maximum force is generated with the Knee & Elbow (large muscles), the smaller muscles of the Wrist take that energy and accelerate it with a straight-line Wrist Snap to complete the swing.

The effort of driving the Knee & Elbow = Hard
The movement of the Wrist = Quick
The Elbow moves Fast; the Wrist moves Faster

Baseball is a Game of Movement

Practice Plans (ages 10-12)

Day 1 – Practice Plan

Drills

Explanations

Day 2 - Practice Plan

Batting

Throwing & Pitching

Day 3 - Practice Plan

Batting

Pitching & Throwing

Relay Footwork

Day 4 - Practice Plan

Batting

Pitching Instruction

Day 5 - Practice Plan

Batting

Pitching & Throwing

Day 6 - Practice Plan

Batting

Pitching & Throwing

Day 7 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Day 8 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-Up

Day 9 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Skill Building Warm-Up

Day 10 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Day 11 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Day 12 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills

Tee Work

Pitching Instruction

Throwing

Pitching

Playing Catch Practice

Skills Station

Day 13 – Practice Plan

Instruction

No Bat Drills