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PRACTICE 9   Focus: Agility, Fielding/Footwork, Catching/Throwing/Fly's, Infield/Outfield, Situations

 

Agility Warm Up  (10 Min)

 

  • One foot in each moving forward

  • Two feet in each moving forward
  • Two feet in each moving laterally
  • Player starts at front left cone with their glove and shuffles laterally to the right in an athletic position
  • Once past the front right cone, the player sprints forward until past the cone ahead
  • Once past, the player shuffles to the left
  • When the player reaches the front of the ladder, they move forward with quick feet stepping one foot in each
  • When player exits the ladder they use the proper footwork to enter the second ladder breaking down into a fielding position and extending the glove to the ball

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
  • 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
  • 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​
  • 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)
​​

Infield/Outfield (45 Min)

 

  • Outfield
    • Put the players into positions
    • Have them rotate between 2 positions during the infield/outfield session as the coaches should know the potential of each player at this point
    • Use coaches as base runners so players can visually see what’s happening on the bases
    • Start with the outfield by hitting balls to each position starting with no base runners, explaining where to throw the ball, who is the cut off, and what the rotations are for each player
    • Add a runner on 1st, then 1st and 2nd, and base loaded, etc and repeat where to throw the ball, who the cut off is, and what the rotations are for each player
  • Infield
    • Emphasize proper footwork, throwing, and catching
    • Again, use coaches as base runners so players can visually see where the play should be
    • Explain the difference between a force out and a tag play
    • Put coaches at the various bases discussing where the play should be if X position received the ball and the infield and outfield rotations
    • Encourage communication in both the infield and outfield as to where the play is and where to throw the ball

Hitting  (20 Min)

 

  • 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
  • Front Toss
    • Coach pitches from 12-15 feet away
    • Keep focus on proper mechanics
    • Make necessary adjustments

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
  • Lunge Leg Drive

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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