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PRACTICE 7   Focus: Catching/Throwing/Fly's, Infield Dailies, Fielding/Footwork, Base Running, Hitting

 

Agility Warm Up  (10 Min)

 

  • Player starts at bottom left cone with glove and sprints forward
  • Once past the top cone, the player back pedals in the opposite direction
  • Player continues until through all cones
  • Player start at bottom right cone with their glove and shuffles feet athletically until outside bottom right cone
  • Player sprints forward until past top right cone and shuffles left until outside top left cone
  • Player then back pedals to bottom left cone

Catching/Throwing/Fly’s  (25 Min)​

  • Knee wrist snaps with glove
  • Throwing from the knees
  • Regular throws starting close and slowly move back.
  • Add a competition for fun having the players attempt to throw into a bucket from 10-12 feet
  • The focus is on elevating the ball with a proper release point and wrist snap
  • Introduce catching and moving through the ball
    • Player sets up in an athletic position​​
    • The player steps forward with her glove foot as she receives the ball fingertips up and throwing hand to the side
    • The player continues working through the catch by carrying her momentum forward as she crosses over with her throwing hand foot
    • The players momentum continues through the ball as she plants her throwing hand foot
    • Her glove foot strides toward the target finishing in a throwing position
  • Coaches toss short fly balls directly to the player
    • Focus should be catching ball above the shoulder finger tips up
    • Player’s left foot should be forward when catching if possible
    • Encourage the player to communicate “ball”, “ball”, “ball”
  • Start with short fly balls and progress higher as appropriate
  • Introduce drop step left (right handed player)
    • ​Player sets up in an athletic position
    • Player drop steps with their left foot while tucking the glove
    • The player crosses over with their right foot
    • The proper angle is then taken towards the ball​
  • Introduce drop step right (right handed player)
    • ​Player sets up in an athletic position
    • Player drop steps with their right foot while tucking the glove
    • The player crosses over with their left foot
    • The proper angle is then taken towards the ball
Infield Dailies (10 Min)
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Fielding/Footwork (10 Min)

 

  • Players line up in a single file line facing a coach
  • The coach rolls the player a ball directly to them
  • The player fields the ball moving forward with proper mechanics
  • After fielding, the player quickly pops to a throwing motion
  • Player then jogs the ball to the bucket in front of her and gets in the next line
  • Players rotate through each line and repeat
Base Running (15 Min)
  • Have a coach introduce the proper fundamentals of how to slide
  • Have the players start in the outfield grass to help cushion their slide or utilize a sliding mat if you have one
  • Have the players take minimal steps initially to limit the speed and focus on the footwork and body positioning
  • The players can continue to move back to gain more momentum once they get comfortable with the mechanics
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Hitting  (40 Min)

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  • Tee
    • The player sets up in an athletic stance
    • Feet positioned straight or slightly inward with weight on the inside
    • Feet are positioned just outside the shoulders with equal weight on each
    • Have the player just get to contact for 5-7 reps 
      • At this point, the back foot and belly button should be pointed to the contact point​
      • The back arm should be close to a 90 degree angle
    • Next, have the player get through contact and to extension for 5-7 reps 
      • Have the player focus on making contact with the inside of the ball which forces the knob to the ball
      • At extension, the back shoulder should be underneath the chin which is down â€‹ 
      • At extension, the barrel of the bat should be facing the pitcher
    • Move the tee to the middle contact point and have the player take a full swing
    • Make necessary adjustments to a player’s swing
  • Soft Toss
    • Coach kneels to the side and slightly in front of batter
    • Coach slowly tosses the ball to batters strike zone
    • Batter swings through with focus points above
  • Short Front Toss
    • Coach pitches from 8-10 feet away sitting on a bucket
    • Keep focus on proper mechanics
    • Make necessary adjustments
  • Sacrifice Bunts
    • Have the coach review the proper fundaments of a sacrifice bunt
    • The player sets up in an athletic stance with feet opened up towards pitcher
    • The bat starts at the top of the strike zone
    • The bat stays as close to eye level as possible using the legs
    • All pitches above the bat, the bat is pulled back
    • All pitches in the strike zone, the legs get the bat to the ball
    • The players arms are flexed and upon contact a small push can be made to the ball
    • Bat is slightly angled for placement down 3rd and 1st

Pitching (20 Min)

 

  • Wrist snaps restraining pitching arm shoulders stay isolated
  • L Drill
    • Glove pointed to target
    • Body is open with glove shoulder facing target
    • Pitching arm is straight up with ball
    • Feet are positioned at a 45 degree angle towards target
    • Back heel starts raised
    • Player takes a small step with the front foot
    • Then the back leg drives towards the target
    • Back knee finished close to front knee
    • Glove arm and pitching arm drive down together
    • Wrist snap to target
  • Knee Arm Circle (Right Handed Pitcher)
    • Right knee is on the ground at a 90 degree angle to the target
    • Left leg is extended to the target
    • Glove and front shoulder are facing target
    • Pitching arm is elevated above and out over the body
    • Player starts by driving the pitching arm down in a circular path
    • The ball is snapped toward the target by the hip
  • Full Motion

Catching

  • Setup/Positioning
    • Feet are shoulder width apart
    • Knees fully bent
    • Back is straight
    • Glove arm is at 90 degree with glove opened towards pitcher
    • Throwing hand is behind back
  • Framing/Receiving
    • Glove arm stays flexed and out in front
    • For an inside pitch, upon catching the ball the catchers thumb is up
    • For an outside pitch, upon catching the ball the catchers thumb is down
    • For a high pitch, upon catching the ball the catchers palm is down
    • For a low pitch, the catcher receives the ball finger tips up
  • Blocking
    • Feet are kicked out behind catcher
    • Body/Chest is over the ball
    • Shoulders are square to the plate
    • Glove is positioned on the ground between legs
    • Throwing hand is placed behind the glove to protect it
    • Chin is to the chest
    • Goal is to have the ball hit the chest and drop straight down towards the plate
  • Throwing
    • Upon catching the ball, the catcher pops up staying in an athletic position
    • Feet touch down on the balls simultaneously
    • Glove shoulder is facing target
    • Glove is pulled towards ear and ball is transferred to throwing hand

    • The ball is separated from the glove in back of throwing shoulder

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