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ALL STAR PRACTICE 3   Focus: Agility, Catching/Throwing/Fly's, 4 Corners, Fielding Footwork, Hitting, Front Toss Live, Pitching/Catching 

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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  (15 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)
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4 Corners (10 Min)
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  • In groups of 4, the player's form a square roughly 7 feet apart (small 4 corners)
  • The rotation of the ball will start clockwise.
  • The player's are positioned in an athletic position to receive the ball with both hands giving a target
  • With their feet stationary, they will call for the ball, "Ball"
  • Their shoulders will be square to the ball upon catching
  • Upon throwing, the players will simply pivot their feet to the target without stepping 
  • The throw will be a dart throw with the ball not coming past the ear and using mostly the wrist
  • This should be very controlled and accurate
  • Go around 6-7 times and then reverse to go counter clockwise
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  • In groups of 4, the player's form a square roughly 20-25 feet apart (big 4 corners)
  • The rotation of the ball will start clockwise.
  • The player's are positioned in an athletic position to receive the ball with both hands giving a target
  • With their feet moving in place, they will call for the ball, "Ball"
  • Their shoulders will be square to the ball upon catching with momentum moving towards their target
  • Upon throwing, the players using quick feet will have momentum to their target throwing to their targets glove side
  • Have the players work on quick transfers with the ball coming out of their glove and it to a throwing position 
  • This should be move quickly with lots of communication
  • Go around 6-7 times and then reverse to go counter clockwise
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  • In groups of 4, the player's form a square roughly 20-25 feet apart (big 4 corners)
  • The rotation of the ball will start reverse clockwise.
  • The player's are positioned in an athletic position to receive the ball with both hands giving a target
  • With their feet moving in place, they will call for the ball, "Ball"
  • Their shoulders will be square to the ball upon catching with their glove foot stepping towards the ball (right handed player)
  • Upon throwing, the players will drop step with their back foot to align their bodies to the target
  • Have the players work on quick transfers with the ball coming out of their glove and it to a throwing position 
  • This should be move quickly with lots of communication
  • Go around 6-7 times and then reverse to go counter clockwise

Fielding/Footwork (5 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

Hitting  (20 Min)

 

Front Toss Live (45 Min)

  • Front Toss
    • Have the coach pitch from 12-15 feet away with a catcher
    • Put players in to appropriate defensive positions
    • Have 2-3 players hitting together and rotate after each get 2-3 at bats
    • Each at bat is live with the batter running
    • You can start each batter with a 1-1 count to speed things up
    • The coach can vary how many outs there are to change defensive options
    • Encourage the defense to communicate where the plays are
    • The coach should help with defensive positioning based on each situation
    • When runners are on base they should work on their lead offs

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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