Baseball is a Game of Movement

Coach Pitch – Practice Plans

The series of practices follows a step-by-step, building-block process for training team play and developing individual skills.

Development of the Batting Swing and Throwing Action is sewn into each practice.

Whiffle Ball Batting

Each day begins with pre-practice Wiffle Ball batting. Players are motivated to arrive early to get extra swings. Kids who take advantage of this opportunity more quickly develop their swing skills through repetition.

Repetition is the most important component in the skill development process.

Wiffle Ball Batting motivates our players to arrive early.

Skill Building Warm-up

Practice begins with a skill building warm up; three groups of players doing simple, fast-paced drills that do not require overhand throwing.

Often this segment reviews content taught the previous practice.

Playing Catch Practice

The PCP routine:

Batting and Throwing Drills
Practicing Playing Catch (Move Feet)
Skill segment (which trains vital skills of the game)

Team Drills and Batting Practice follow Playing Catch Practice.

Scrimmage

We conclude as many practices as possible with a controlled, instructional scrimmage.

Day 1 - Coach Pitch

Equipment in the First Base Dugout; make this a habit. Most game activity and direction of player actions is toward First Base. Practices run more efficiently when setting up on the First Base side.

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-Practice

Whiffle Ball Batting

0:00-0:10

Introductions/Get to Know (foul territory, in grass beyond 1B):
1. Name
2. School
3. Team played for last season (if you played)
4. Review all names

0:10-0:20

Teach: (a) Glove Fold (b) The Pocket (c) No ‘Tacos’

Receiving Throws:

Ready Position
Move Feet to Catch
Reach Forward to Catch

Drill: Move Feet to Catch (Part 1B)

0:20-0:35

Movement Instruction

The Base

Catcher = ‘Fourth Baseman’
Introduce: Ball, Base, Back-up
Drill: Infield Base Coverage (set up two mini diamonds, 25’ square)

0:35-0:55

Playing Catch Practice
Throwing Instruction: Arm Action

‘No Ball’ Drills

Turn & Pull x5 (Upper arm and torso work as One Piece – see image)
Drive & Pull x5 (Anchor awareness)
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds x2 (emphasis on fingers)

0:45-0:55

Play Catch: 25’-35’ (start in a Power Position – Palms away)

Focus:

Upper arm moves ‘Sideways’; elbow remains at shoulder height.
Following release, arm remains at shoulder height.
Emphasis on Wrist Snap (fingers) - 4 min
Emphasis on Driving off back foot/leg - 4 min

Skill Segment:

Replay the Ball (‘Pick up Both Sides of the Ball’…2-3x; we’ll review this a lot during the season)

0:55-1:00 <Break>

1:00-1:10

Teach: ‘Bat By the Barrel’

Batting Instruction

Stance (feet wide)
Weight Shift (Drill)
‘See Ball, Turn Back’ (Drill)
Elbow to Elbow (Drill)

1:10-1:30

Whiffle Ball Batting – Timing focus: Players verbalize, “Pitch - Hit”
(no concerns or talk re: mechanics; just timing today)

Day 2

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

0:00-0:10

Teach & Drill: Underhand Toss (shuttle)
(Stop the drill a couple of times. Allow the players to collect themselves; refocus on executing the skill)

0:10-0:15

Teach: Fielding Ground Balls
Fast, Slow, Fast
Feet Wide to Catch
Get in Front of the Ball to Catch the Ball (stay to the side until the last step)

0:15-0:30

Skill Building Warm-up

Base Running (Through First Base)
a. Eyes on the front of the base the entire time
b. See foot touch the front of the base
c. Run through the base
Inf Base Coverage (4 – 1 = 3)

20’ Ground Balls (focus on footwork; timing last step)

0:35-0:55

Playing Catch Practice
Throwing Instruction – Arm Action

‘No Ball’ Drills
Turn & Pull x5 (Upper arm and torso work as One Piece – see image)
Drive & Pull x5 (Anchor awareness)
Wrist Action 6-7 seconds x2 (emphasis on fingers)

0:30-0:50

Playing Catch Practice

Throwing Instruction

Review Turn & Pull Drill. Explain the importance of elbows at shoulder height.

Upper part of throwing arm and torso move as one piece until the throwing-arm elbow passes the body.

Drive and Snap: Emphasize pushing hard off the back foot and snapping the wrist (Power & Accuracy)

‘No Ball’ Drills (part 1)

Turn & Pull
Drive & Pull
Wrist Action
Drive & Snap (Feet & Wrist)

Play Catch from 25’-35’ (emphasis on ‘Drive & Snap’)

‘No Ball’ Drills (part 2)

Shuffle
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap

Play Catch from 50’ (emphasis on ‘Feet & Wrist’; gain a lot of ground on shuffles; momentum towards target after the throw)

Teach: ‘Turn Glove Side’

Explain: With a runner on first, we want the Pitcher to throw to Second Base

1-6 Footwork (& Throw: ‘Medium-Fast’)

0:50-0:55

1:00-1:10

Batting Instruction

Review:

Stance (feet wide)
Weight Shift - Drill
‘See Ball, Turn Back’ - Drill

Drill (holding center of bat): Elbow Drive (alongside the belt) — Explain: Elbow, then Wrist

Teach & Drill: ‘Switch Heels’

1:10-1:30

Whiffle Ball Batting - Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”
(no concern or talk re: mechanics; just timing today)

Day 3

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

0:00-0:05

Teach: ‘Cover the Base w/Eyes’

0:05-0:20

Skill Building Warm-up

6-1 Play (UH Toss; Pitcher/Runner: ‘Cover Base w/Eyes’)
1-6 Footwork (& Throw: ‘Slo-Med’) 30’, ‘Turn Glove Side’

Receiving a Throw at First Base (all players; footwork only - ‘Cover Base w/Eyes’)

0:20-0:40

Playing Catch Practice

‘No Bat’ Drills

Review: Stance (feet wider than hips/knees)
Weight Shift x5
‘See Ball, Turn Back’
Switch Heels
Elbow Drive (holding center of bat) — Review: Elbow, then Wrist

‘No Ball’ Drills

Turn & Pull
Drive & Pull
Wrist Action
Drive & Snap

Play Catch from 25’-35’ (emphasis on ‘Drive & Snap’)
‘No Ball’ Drills

Shuffle
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap

Play Catch from 50’ (emphasis on ‘Feet & Wrist’; gain a lot of ground on shuffles; momentum towards target after the throw)

Replay the Ball (& Throw: 50’) …no chasing missed throws

0:40-0:45

0:45-1:05

Review: BBB

Teach: I am going to ‘GO GET’ the ball

Drill: Backing-up (Outfielders)

1:05-1:30

Batting Practice / Team Drills^*
(2 Groups of 6)

15 min Group 1: Batting
- Teach: 50/50 mindset
- Group 2: 50’ Ground Balls (Gb Footwork to Catch; ‘Feet & Wrist’ to Throw)
5 min Transition & Water (Water bottles on the field; avoid dugout visits during practice)
15 min Switch Groups

* Whiffle Ball Batting (this group works in the outfield)
‘See Ball, Turn Back’ focus prior to each swing (the kids must make this a habit)

Timing: (1) “Pitch” - “Hit” Actions: (2) Switch Heels (3) Elbow Drive
[Coach(es) determine one of the above three points for each given player to focus on during their swing]

^ 50’ Ground Balls

Gb Footwork: 1) Step in front of the ball on last step 2) ‘Feet Wide’ to catch
Feet & Wrist (emphasize Leg Drive, gaining ground, and continuing momentum straight forward after the throw)

Day 4

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

Outfield Backing-up
First Baseman Receiving a Throw from ‘Shortstop’ …coach making the throw from 30’

Infield Base Coverage - ‘Cover Base w/Eyes’

0:15-0:35

(During this segment, be conscious of the fact that we want to shorten it to 15 mins in the future)

Playing Catch Practice

‘No Bat’ Drills

Teach: Heel-Knee
Drill: Switch Heels (Heel-Knee)
Drill: Elbow Drive (holding center of bat) — Reminder: Elbow, then Wrist
Teach: Sideways Karate Chop (Elbow-Wrist)
Drill: Sideways Karate Chop (Elbow-Wrist)

‘No Ball’ Drills

Drive & Pull (the upper arm and torso move as one piece)
Wrist Action
Drive & Snap (arm remains at shoulder height following Wrist Snap)
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap

Play Catch from 25’-35’ for a couple minutes (Slow-Medium; focus on upper arm and torso working as ‘one piece’), then move back to 50’ (Medium-Fast)

‘1-6’ Footwork and Throw (Medium-Fast) 30’-35’

0:35-0:55

Review: Ball, Base, Back-up (BBB)

Teach: 3 Players in the Middle of the Field (SS, 2B & P) Always move towards the ball

Teach: Pitcher is the ‘Runner’ (Consider eliminating the term ‘Pitcher’; the kids don’t pitch. Let’s call the player positioned in the middle of the infield the ‘Runner,’ because that is what they do when they don’t field the ball — Run!)

Drill: Three Groups

6-1 (Underhand Toss) 3B Backing-up
1-6 (Turn Glove Side) …CF Backing-up

4-3 (Ball to Their Right … OH Throw: ‘Feet & Wrist’) …Pitcher/Runner backing up; run behind bucket (representing the base runner) — 2 players @ 2B; 2 players @ 1B (‘Cover Base w/Eyes’)

0:55-1:00

1:00-1:30

Batting Practice / Fielding* (2 Groups of 6)

15 min Group 1: Batting
Group 2: Coach’s Choice. Pick a drill(s) from ‘Three Groups’ above
15 min Switch Groups

* Whiffle Ball Batting (this group works in the outfield)
‘See Ball, Turn Back’ focus prior to each swing (the kids must make this a habit)

Timing: (1) “Pitch” - “Hit” Actions: (2) Switch Heels (Heel-Knee) (3) Sideways Karate Chop

[Coach(es) determine one of the above three points for each given player to focus on during their swing]

Day 5

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

[Coach(es) may pick out one aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

6-1 (3B Backing-up)
OF Backing-up

4-1 (1B Backing-up)

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels (Heel-Knee)
Elbow Drive (holding center of bat) — Reminder: Elbow, then Wrist
Sideways Karate Chop (Elbow-Wrist)

‘No Ball’ Drills

Drive & Pull (the upper arm and torso move as one piece)
Wrist Action
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap

Play Catch from 25’-35’ for a couple of minutes (Slow-Medium; focus on upper arm and torso working as ‘one piece’), then move back to 50’ (Medium-Fast)

Replay the Ball (& Throw: 50’)

0:30-0:50

3 Groups

6-5 Play (UH Toss) with Pitcher/’Runner’ Backing-up (LF: Go Get the Ball)
OF & Runner (‘Pitcher’) Backing-up

4-3 Play (UH Toss) with Pitcher/’Runner’ Backing-up [go behind bucket] (RF: Go Get the Ball)

0:50-0:55

0:55-1:10

Batting & Fly Balls

Group 1: Wiffle Ball Batting
Group 2: Chasing Balls
Group 3: Toss Drills - Coming Straight In* (Reach away from the body to catch)

[*Some kids will shy away from a ball coming straight to them; toss the ball a bit to their glove side. Point out that if they miss, the ball won’t hit them]

1:10-1:30

Scrimmage

Teach: ‘Eat it! Run it In!’ | RULE: No Overhand Throws [when runner(s) are not trying to advance]

4 groups of three players:
- 1 group bats; 3 groups in the field to fill all positions
- Batting Group: runners of First & Second, and the batter
- Each player bats 1x, then rotate their group into the field

Defensive Responsibility & Movement:

Teach a bit each day
Reinforce/Acknowledge during Scrimmage

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

*Sliding (Pick a day when the grass is wet; skip Scrimmage)

Day 6

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

1-6 (SS Backing-up), LF: ‘Go Get’ the Ball
OF & Runner (‘Pitcher’) Backing-up
3-1 (2b Backing-up), RF: ‘Go Get’ the Ball

0:15-0:20

Teach: Bottom Hand Drill
Teach: Skip-a-Rock Drill
Swing = Knee, Elbow, Wrist | HINGE

0:20-0:35

Playing Catch Practice

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels (Heel-Knee)
Bottom Hand Drill
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Snap (Momentum)
Shuffle, Shuffle, Pull-Snap

3. Play Catch from 25’-35’ for a couple mins (Slow-Medium; focus on upper arm and torso working as ‘one piece’), then move back to 50’ (Medium-Fast).

4. ‘1-6’ Footwork and Throw (Medium-Fast) 30’-35’

0:30-0:50

3 Groups

Teach: The three players in the middle of the field Always move towards the ball (there are no exceptions)

MIF/Runner: Movement on Balls Hit to LF/RF
MIF/Runner: Movement on a Ball Hit to CF
Receiving a Throw at Third Base (tag) [‘Cover Base w/Eyes’]

0:50-0:55

<Break>

0:55-1:05

50’ Ground Balls (might choose to have an fly ball group of 3-4 kids …Lateral Fly Balls)

1:05-1:30

Scrimmage

Reminder: ‘Eat it! Run it In!’ | RULE: No Overhand Throws [when runner(s) are not trying to advance]

Each Player Bats 2x

Defensive Responsibility & Movement:

Teach a bit each day.
Reinforce/Acknowledge during Scrimmage.

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

***Sliding (Pick a day when the grass is wet; skip Scrimmage)

Day 7

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:05

Teach: Difference between a Force Out and Tag situation at a base

0:05-0:20

Skill Building Warm-up

Toss Drill: Drop Step
Receiving a Throw at Third Base (tag) [‘Cover Base w/Eyes’]
Base Running Through First Base (Eyes on the base the entire way; do not look to the side)

0:20-0:35

Playing Catch Practice

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop (Elbow-Wrist)
Bottom Hand Drill (Bottom Hand is the HINGE of the swing)
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Turn & Pull
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch from 25’-35’ for a couple mins (Slow-Medium); 50’ (Medium-Fast).

4. Replay the Ball (& Throw: 50’)

0:35-1:00

Batting / Ground Balls (Two Groups of 6)

Group 1: Whiffle Batting & Tee Work
Group 2: 5-4 (Medium-Fast) / 6-3 (Fast-Faster)

1:00-1:05

<Break>

1:05-1:30

Scrimmage

Reminder: ‘Eat it! Run it In!’ | RULE: No Overhand Throws when runner(s) are not trying to advance

Defensive Responsibility & Movement:

Teach a bit each day.
Reinforce/Acknowledge during Scrimmage.

Day 8

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: 1) ‘See Ball, Turn Back’ 2) Timing: “Pitch” - “Hit”

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

Toss Drill: Angling In
5-1 Play (SS: ‘Go Get’; then sprint to Back-up after 3b fields the ball), LF ‘Go Get’ the ball
4-1 Play (1b: a couple steps towards ball, then Back-up), RF ‘Go Get’ the ball

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

Teach: Head Over Back Knee (check after each drill repetition)

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop
Bottom Hand Drill (Bottom Hand is the HINGE of the swing)
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch

4. ‘1-6’ Footwork and Throw (Medium-Fast) 30’-35’

0:30-0:50

3 Groups

5-4
6-3 (Ball a bit to their right; extra emphasis on driving straight towards First prior to Throw)
3-6 (Step across; move feet before making throw; Medium-Fast)

0:50-0:55

<Break>

0:55-1:10

Batting & Throwing - 3 Groups (rotate at 5 min)

Whiffle Ball Batting
Chasing Balls
OF Fielding & Hit Cut (‘Box Mentality’)

1:00-1:30

Scrimmage

Day 9

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: Check: ‘Head Over Back Knee’ after each swing

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

Receiving a Throw at Third Base (tag) [‘Cover Base w/Eyes’]
4-6 Play (UH Toss)
Base Running Through First Base (Eyes on the front of the base the entire way; do not look to the side)

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each drill repetition)

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop
Bottom Hand Drill
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch

4. Replay the Ball (& Throw: 50’, Medium-Fast)

0:30-0:50

Reminder: Difference between a Force Out and Tag situation at a base

3 Groups

Reminder: ‘Cover Base w/Your Eyes’ on Every play

These drills also give outfielders reps at fielding ground balls (‘Fast, Slow, Fast’ also applies to ground balls in the OF)

7-5 Force Play (SS runs towards the ball)
8-4 Force Play (SS runs towards the ball)
9-3 Force Play (2b runs towards the ball)

0:50-0:55

<Break>

0:55-1:10

Batting / Ground Balls (Two Groups of 6)

Group 1: Whiffle Batting & Tee Work - Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each Swing)
Group 2: 5-4 (Medium-Fast) / 6-3 (Fast-Faster)

1:10-1:30

Scrimmage

Teach: Tag up Rule

Day 10

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: Check: ‘Head Over Back Knee’ after each swing

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

Outfielders Shallow enough to use UH Toss (arms are not warm, so we don’t want to throw overhand)
These drills also give outfielders reps at fielding ground balls (‘Fast, Slow, Fast’ also applies to ground balls in the OF)
Reminder: Cover the Base with Your Eyes

7-5 Force Play
8-4 Force Play
9-3 Force Play

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each drill repetition)

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop
Bottom Hand Drill
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch

4. ‘1-6’ Footwork and Throw (Medium-Fast) 40’

0:30-0:50

3 Groups: OF Hit Cut

OF: Fast, Slow, Fast when fielding ground balls
Runner (‘Pitcher’): Move Towards Ball; set up 10’ from Base Line
Set-up: OF depth, so they are throwing ~50’ after fielding the ground ball. Balls to CF, Runner (‘Pitcher’) sets up half way between the pitcher rubber and the Second Base Bag
Runner (‘Pitcher’): Turn Glove Side; One strong shuffle, in a Power Position, straight towards Home Plate

A group working with each of the 3 outfield positions: LF, CF, RF

0:50-0:55

<Break>

0:55-1:10

Batting / Ground Balls (Two Groups of 6)

Group 1: Whiffle Batting & Tee Work - Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each Swing)
Group 2: 5-3 (Fast-Faster) / 3-6 (Step Across; Medium-Fast)

1:10-1:30

Scrimmage

Encourage Base Runners to go 2 bases on balls to the OF anytime they have a reasonable chance.
We especially want runners on second base to attempt to score on balls to the Outfield.
Most balls to RF, or between CF and RF, the base runner can go First to Third.

Day 11

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting: Check: ‘Head Over Back Knee’ after each swing

[Coach(es) may choose to pick out One aspect of the swing, for a given player, to work on during their swings]

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

7-5 (tag play)
6-4 Play (UH Toss)
4-1 Play (UH Toss)

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each drill repetition)

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop
Bottom Hand Drill
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch

4. Replay the Ball

0:30-0:45

3 Players, 1 Base (2 groups of 6)

4-3 play, going to their Right (Runner/Pitcher Backing-up - go behind bucket)
5-1 play (UH Toss), SS backing up

0:45-0:50

<Break>

0:50-1:05

Base Running

Turns & Touches (advancing 2 bases on balls to the Outfield)

1:05-1:10

50’ Ground Balls (3-4 groups,depending on the number of coaches; get each player 6-7 ground balls)
(go straight into scrimmage: leave 9 kids in the field; 3 batting and running bases)

1:10-1:30

Scrimmage

Encourage Base Runners to go 2 bases on balls to the OF anytime they have a reasonable chance.
We especially want runners on second base to attempt to score on balls to the Outfield.
Most balls to RF, or between CF and RF, the base runner can go First to Third.

Day 12

(-0:10-0:00) Pre-practice

Whiffle Ball Batting

0:00-0:15

Skill Building Warm-up

Receiving a Throw at Third (tag)
Turns & Touches (Base Running; Second Base)
Lateral Fly Balls

0:15-0:30

Playing Catch Practice

Reminder: Head Over Back Knee (check after each drill repetition)

1. ‘No Bat’ Drills

Switch Heels
Sideways Karate Chop
Bottom Hand Drill
Skip-a-Rock

2. ‘No Ball’ Drills

Wrist Action
Drive & Pull
Drive & Snap (Momentum)

3. Play Catch

4. ‘1-6’ Footwork and Throw (Medium-Fast) 40’

0:30-1:00

Batting & Fielding (have water bottles available next to the activity they are involved in)

(2 groups of 6)

Group 1: Wiffle Batting
Group 2: Toss Drills - Angling Back / 21 Gb Weave (2 groups of 3)

1:00-1:05

<Break>

1:05-1:30

Scrimmage