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ALL STAR PRACTICE 9   Focus: Agility, Catching/Throwing/Fly's, Infield Dailies, Timed Zig Zag, Fielding, Hitting, Pitching/Catching, Infield/Outfield: Bunt Coverage, Catcher Throw Downs/Covering Steals/Covering Picks, 1st/3rd Plays

 

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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Timed Zig Zag (10 Min)
​​
  • The team is lined up each having a throwing partner about 20 feet away
  • The ball starts on one end
  • The player's are positioned in an athletic position to receive the ball with both hands giving a target
  • With their feet running in place, they will call for the ball, "Ball"
  • Catching and moving through the ball
    • 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
​​

Infield/Outfield Defense (60 Min)

 

  • Infield/Outfield Warm Up - Grounders/Fly's
  • Bunt Coverage
  • Covering Steals
  • Covering Pick Offs
  • 1st & 3rd Plays
  • Infield/Outfield Warm Ups (15-20 Min)
    • Split the team in to two groups â€‹
    • Have one coach work with outfield fundamentals throwing or hitting fly balls and grounders
    • Have another coach work with the infield rolling or hitting grounders
      • You can have the players stay in one position or can rotate them through the infield from third, to short stop, to second, and then first â€‹
      • Work on force plays to first, second, third, and home and explain defensive positioning and coverages 
      • Stress the fundamentals of good footwork, working through the ball, staying athletic, and good throws
    • After 10 minutes, the infield goes to the outfield and outfield goes to the infield

Defense (40 Min)

 
  • Bunt coverage and rotations
    • With a runner on 1st base​
      • The corners and pitcher sprint to the bunted ball​
      • The player that fields the ball communicates by calling "ball, ball, ball" and throws the ball to 1st base
      • Either the third baseman or pitcher returns to cover third base (whoever can get back the fastest)
      • The second baseman covers 1st base
      • The short stop covers 2nd base
    • With runners on 1st and 2nd base
      • The corners and pitcher sprint to the bunted ball​
      • The player that fields the ball communicates by calling "ball, ball, ball" and throws the ball to 1st base (an advanced team can attempt force outs at 3rd base by the catcher communicating where the play is)
      • The short stop rotates to cover 3rd base
      • The second baseman covers 1st base
      • 2nd base is left uncovered
    • With the bases loaded
      • The corners and pitcher sprint to the bunted ball​
      • The player that fields the ball communicates by calling "ball, ball, ball" 
      • The catcher communicates whether the play is at home or to 1st base
      • The short stop rotates to cover 3rd base
      • The second baseman covers 1st base
      • 2nd base is left uncovered
  • Catcher's Throws/Covering Steals
  • Catcher's Throws/Covering Picks 
    • Have the catcher work on throws to 1st base and 3rd base​
    • Have the first baseman cover throws to 1st base setting up in a position to tag with her body facing the field (not foul territory)
    • Have the second baseman cover throws to 1st base by vacating their position during the pitch 
      • The pitch should be a pitch out as the second baseman is vacating their position
      • The first baseman is playing closer to the plate than normal to give the runner more space to get a bigger lead
      • With the second baseman playing deeper, she takes an angle to the foul line roughly 5 feet behind 1st base and then squares directly to home plate to receive the ball coming directly to her
      • The second baseman covers 1st base setting up in a position to tag with her body facing the field (not foul territory)
    • Have the third baseman cover throws to 3rd base setting up in a position to tag with her body facing foul territory (not the field)
    • Have the short stop cover throws to 3rd base by vacating their position during the pitch 
      • The pitch should be a pitch out as the short stop is vacating their position
      • The third baseman is playing closer to the plate than normal to give the runner more space to get a bigger lead
      • With the short stop playing deeper, she takes an angle to the foul line roughly 5 feet behind 3rd base and then squares directly to home plate to receive the ball coming directly to her
      • The second baseman covers 1st base setting up in a position to tag with her body facing the field (not foul territory)
  • 1st & 3rd Plays
    • Safety Play​
      • The catcher quickly throws the ball back to the pitcher who immediately checks the runner at 3rd expecting to throw.
      • The 3rd baseman is at the base expecting the throw
    • 2nd Base Cuts
      • The catcher throws the ball to the second baseman â€‹who cuts the ball off and checks the runner at 3rd
      • Prior to the pitch, the second baseman is positioned about 5 feet behind the baseline and slightly closer to 2nd base
      • When the catcher receives the ball, the second baseman sprints to a position that is nearly half way between the pitchers mound and 2nd base and about 5 feet behind the direct line from home to 2nd base
    • Pump Fake/Throw to Third
      • As the catcher receives the ball she pump fakes the throw to second, then throws to 3rd base
      • The third baseman receives the ball by the base with her body facing towards foul territory for the tag
    • Short Stop Back Pick
      • The pitch should be a pitch out as the short stop is vacating their position
      • The third baseman is playing closer to the plate than normal to give the runner more space to get a bigger lead
      • With the short stop playing deeper and closer to third, she takes an angle to the foul line roughly 5 feet behind 3rd base and then squares directly to home plate to receive the ball coming directly to her for the tag
    • Throw All The Way Through
      • The catcher throws the ball to 2nd base to get the runner stealing​
      • The second baseman comes in to fake the cut to freeze the runner at 3rd base

Hitting  (20 Min)

 

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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