• Have each player sprint through first base. Then sprint through 2nd. Then 3rd and home.
• Coach starts each player 5 secs apart running around bases, and players try to pass each other.
• Make two lines at home and have pairs of kids race through first base.
  NOTE: Have them swing a fake bat (e.g., their glove), take a step, then drop it in a bucket on their way to 1st.
• With players in catcher's squat position along 1st base line, have them hop forward on coach's signal. Continue across the infield.
• Any other exercises or stretches you like

Explain and emphasize proper technique all season long:

• Grip ball with two (or three) fingers, thumb underneath with space between hand.
• Emphasize that fingers must always be on top of the ball.
• Demonstrate arm circle: down, around and up into an L-shape with hand above head.
• Line up toes, knees, shoulders, and hands with target (8-eyes to target).
• Turn feet, hips and throw.

One-knee Throwing Line players along 1st base line and throw to coaches (or a bucket placed toward Short stop)

• Players start with glove knee up and throwing knee on ground and both feet lined up to target.
• Players drag ball on ground from front knee around and up to make an L-shape arm position.
• Hips and shoulders turn so elbows align with target.
• Turn hips and shoulders and throw

Circle Toss

• Align players in wide circle, facing coach.
• Coach turns and points to a player in the ready position and tosses the ball.
• Player catches ball with proper technique.
• Player hops into throwing position with toes, knees, shoulders, and hands aligned with coach.
• Player throws ball back to coach.

Play Catch

• Players pair-up along the 1st or 3rd base line (one player on the line, the other 10' into the field).
• Players throw to each other with proper footwork (8-eyes to target, turn and throw).
• Coach helps players individually with their technique.
• Players count how many catches they make in a row.

Pitcher's station

• Take one player at a time to work with a coach.
• Discuss pitching technique.
  • 8-Eyes to plate with ball in hand in glove.
  • Lift glove leg to be parallel to ground.
  • Slide-step glove leg forward as hands separate and body stays balanced over throwing leg.
  • Turn feet toward batter, turn shoulders and throw.
  •  
• Practice throwing by breaking down each stage of pitch (e.g., learn to balance on one leg before adding the next step).
• Practice full motion by throwing to a coach or at target.

• Players back-up to 10' and continue to throw.
• When they can no longer reach, they start to use a crow-hop.
• With glove foot forward, rear foot hops in front while hips and shoulders turn (8-eyes to target), then step, turn and throw.
•  

Describe glove/hand basics:

• Above Waist: Windshield wiper arm motion. Catch with thumbs together
• Below Waist: Catch with pinkies together
• NOTE: Coach throws should be underhand or from knee so ball comes in low and flat.
• Fly Balls: 10 fingers to sky, catch above and in front of forehead.

Bare-Hands Blocking Drill Use a bucket of tennis or sponge balls.

• Throw ball to different locations above waist.
• Block ball with catching hand fully open. (Don't push ball or catch it, just block it).
• Throw balls more rapidly to establish reflexes.

Two-Hand Catching Drill Use a bucket of tennis or sponge balls.

• Throw ball to different locations above and below waist.
• Catch balls with two hands and drop.
• Throw balls more rapidly to establish reflexes.

Fly-Ball Station

• Players stand in a line an arm's length apart.
• Coach points to player who gets ready with both hands above shoulders.
• Coach throws ball.
• ADVANCED: throw ball so that player catches while walking forward.

Catcher's station using a bucket of balls

• Take one or two players at a time in full catcher's gear.
• Explain catching position (squatting, not sitting; throwing hand between butt and foot when squatting).
• Explain how to catch balls (windshield wiper, receiving ball instead of reaching).
•  
• Discuss blocking balls in dirt instead of catching.
• Then throw balls to different locations while correcting catching technique (drop balls in bucket).

Describe basic technique:

• Relaxed position - glove on knee
• Ready position -  hands out front
• In-Play -  Creep step forward
• Catching position -  glove hand on ground, butt down, throwing hand above glove like an alligator.
• Reset

Fielding on Knees (Encourages placing the glove on the ground and extending it forward)

• Both knees on ground, glove on ground in front.
• Coach rolls or lightly bounces ball.
• Player catches ball with throwing hand on top.
• Player places ball in bucket with throwing hand.
• ADVANCED: run the same drill with players standing up and vary the direction and speed of the ball.

Fielding from infield ready position

• Make a line with one player at the edge of the 2nd base outfield grass and everyone else behind.
• Player at front of line takes five steps forward and gets in ready position.
• As coach starts to hit the ball, player creeps forward.
• Coach hits ball softly and player runs in to catch it.
• Variations:
  • Player runs and drops ball into bucket.
  • Player throws ball to coach (or player) at 1st base.
  • Put runners on base and throw to nearest force out base, or tag runner.
  • Line up players at SS and throw to 1B.

Demonstrate basic technique (and then cycle players among stations):

• Knuckles (Knocking Knuckles Line Up)
• Feet & Shoulders Straight to Plate and both pointing at the pitcher.
• Bat on Shoulder
• Legs Bent.  Belly button in front of toes
• Elbows Down (Back elbow is never higher that their hands!)
• Raise bat from shoulder (3-4 inches in front of arm pit and slightly back.  Bat points at plate)
• Head never moves. Chin starts above front shoulder, ends above rear shoulder.
• Discuss “Squish the Bug.”

Batting T Station

• Line up ball with front foot (not center of body).
• Keep players close to the ball and require hip rotation and leading with butt of bat.
• NOTE: resist urge to move players farther from the ball to make it easier to hit with barrel as this will create hard to break bad habits.
• ALTERNATE: Instead of wiffle balls, use a dodge ball or soccer ball to encourage swinging through the ball.
• ALTERNATE: Player holds bat behind back at waist level (hands behind bat facing forward) and swings with hips.

Soft Toss Station

• Using a bucket of balls and a screen if available (otherwise hit into the outfield).
• With coaching sitting on opposite side of plate as batter, coach flips balls in air to batter.
• Batter swings and coach corrects form breaks.

Live pitching

• Coach throws flat underhand pitches (or kneels down and throw flat overhand pitches).
• Coach should use L-Screen and stand about halfway between home plate and pitcher's mound.
• Coach watches for form problems while swinging.
• ALTERNATE:If players step away from plate on pitch:
  • Use tennis balls to build confidence
  • Start with front leg away from plate and step toward plate on pitch.

End practice with a fun activity:

• Hitting for distance competition.
• Relay races.
• Fly Ball contest (players are knocked out if they drop a ball).
• Pitching contest (players take turns throwing at a ball on a T).
• Last Man Catching (use sponge balls, coaches throw at players, player is out if they drop the ball).
• Race to First. (Using a pitcher and 1st basemen. Roll ball to pitcher who must throw to 1st basemen before runner gets there).
• Sprint around the bases. (Use a stopwatch and time each player around the bases, or break into teams and do a relay).

Kids and assistants pick up gear.  When done, everyone meets at 2nd base or right field– Hand out any paperwork. 

*Always end your practice on time.