SWING AND SPRINT PURPOSE: Helps players learn to get out of the box quickly, emphasizing the acceleration phase of the sprint to first SETUP: You can run this drill in the infield, or set up a home plate and first base in the outfield the appropriate distance apart. Players line up at home plate with a bat and helmet Baserunners practice sprinting through the bag at first base Baserunners practice sprinting through the bag at first base INSTRUCTIONS: 1. The first player in line steps up to the plate and gets in his normal batting stance 2. He simulates a full, game-like swing, drops the bat, then explodes to first base with three powerful strides 3. He sprints hard through first base, then breaks down to slow into an athletic position 4. Repeat with the next player in line COACHING TIPS: • During the acceleration phase, the baserunner’s strides should be short and powerful. As he picks up speed, the stride should lengthen • Try to touch the front part of the bag with your foot – it’s the closest to home and will save a fraction of a second • Coaches can time the sprint from home to first and keep track of progress throughout the year MAKE IT HARDER MAKE IT EASIER • Take three powerful strides, then take a • Skip the swing and just have players sprint quick peek into the field to locate the ball. from home to first. Then introduce the bat • In a live situation, this would influence and the swing after they get the hang of it their decision to run straight for first or start taking a turn for a potential double • After touching first base and breaking down, take another peek into the infield and locate the ball again. 1 All-Around Skill Development © BaseballTutorials.com Copyright Notice - IT IS ILLEGAL TO POST THIS DOCUMENT ONLINE The material enclosed is copyrighted. You do not have resell rights or giveaway rights to the material provided herein. 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CONTENTS Swing and Sprint 4 Base Race 5 One Step Back Partner Throwing 6 Front Toss Drill 7 Bunt Visualization Drill 8 Coach Knockout 9 Bunt and Run 10 Knee Pinch Drill 11 Stride Line Drill 12 Back Toss Drill 13 Blind Tee Drill 14 Double Tee Drill 15 One Knee Soft Toss Drill 16 Hitting H.O.R.S.E. 17 Carry the Team 18 Pitcher’s Count 19 3-Pitch Sets 20 60 Minute Baseball Practice - Hitting Emphasis 21 60 Minute Baseball Practice - Hitting Emphasis 22 90 Minute Baseball Practice - Hitting Emphasis 23 90 Minute Baseball Practice - Hitting Emphasis 24 120 Minute Baseball Practice - Hitting Emphasis 25 SWING AND SPRINT PURPOSE: Helps players learn to get out of the box quickly, emphasizing the acceleration phase of the sprint to first SETUP: You can run this drill in the infield, or set up a home plate and first base in the outfield the appropriate distance apart. Players line up at home plate with a bat and helmet Baserunners practice sprinting through the bag at first base INSTRUCTIONS: 1. The first player in line steps up to the plate and gets in his normal batting stance 2. He simulates a full, game-like swing, drops the bat, then explodes to first base with three powerful strides 3. He sprints hard through first base, then breaks down to slow into an athletic position 4. Repeat with the next player in line COACHING TIPS: • During the acceleration phase, the baserunner’s strides should be short and powerful. As he picks up speed, the stride should lengthen • Try to touch the front part of the bag with your foot – it’s the closest to home and will save a fraction of a second • Coaches can time the sprint from home to first and keep track of progress throughout the year MAKE IT HARDER MAKE IT EASIER • Take three powerful strides, then take a • Skip the swing and just have players sprint quick peek into the field to locate the ball. from home to first. Then introduce the bat • In a live situation, this would influence and the swing after they get the hang of it their decision to run straight for first or start taking a turn for a potential double • After touching first base and breaking down, take another peek into the infield and locate the ball again. 4 All-Around Skill Development © BaseballTutorials.com BASE RACE PURPOSE: A fun, competitive drill that gets players warmed up and teaches them how to make proper turns at the bases SETUP: Split the players into two teams. Place one team at home plate with and one team at second base. Two teams sprint around the bases in this fun relay race Baserunners practice sprinting through the bag at first base INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Give a baseball to the first player in each line. This will be their “baton” they will pass to each member of the relay team 2. On the coach’s signal the first player for each team takes off. 3. The player at home runs from home to first, and circles the bases until he completes a circuit back to home plate. 4. The player starting from second runs from second to third, and circles the bases until he completes a circuit back to second base. 5. After a completed circuit the player passes the ball to the next player in line, who continues the relay race. 6. The first team to have all players complete the circuit and sit down wins COACHING TIPS: • Make sure to keep the waiting players well out off the basepaths to avoid collisions • To maximize speed, the baserunner should try to strike the inside edge of the base with his right foot • If your players know how, you can have the last player slide into the final base to complete the race MAKE IT HARDER MAKE IT EASIER • Baserunner must bent-leg slide to finish • Add cones or coaches at each base to the 4-base circuit show baserunners the proper path to take around the bases 5 All-Around Skill Development © BaseballTutorials.com ONE STEP BACK PARTNER THROWING PURPOSE: To improve throwing technique and arm strength. SETUP: Group your players into pairs based on similar throwing/catching abilities. All players should have a glove, and one player in the pair should have a ball. Make two lines, with pairs facing each other about 10 feet apart to begin. Players move back one step for each successful throw INSTRUCTIONS: 1. To begin, player with the ball throws the ball to their partner. 2. Partner catches the ball and throws the ball back. 3. If both players successful execute a good throw and catch, both players take one step back and begin the drill again. 4. Every time they pair both execute one good throw and catch from the new distance, they take a step backwards. 5. If a poor throw or bad catch happens, players remain at that distance a few extra reps until a good catch and throw is made by each player. COACHING TIPS: • After each catch, take a moment to grip the ball using a four-seam grip.