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 towards 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 & Wiffle Ball Batting
Catcher Review: (1) Stance (2) Target (3) Reach Forward
1:30-2:00
Batting Practice - 12-Player Drill
I. Batting: Live Wiffle Balls | Tee Work
II. Defense: Balls off the bat
III. Skills Station: Pitching | Live Wiffle
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 then snaps 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)
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.