Outfield Relay Drill to 3B and Home

This is a modified version of the Outfield Drill where the players threw the ball into a barrel. This is great drill work on developing accuracy from the outfield and in hitting the cut-off player for a relay to either 3B or Home.

Separate the group into three groups (right field, 2B/SS and 3B).  Position all outfielders in a single line in right field. Hit fly balls or grounders to the outfielder and have them throw the ball to the relay player at 2B (or SS) and they, in return, throw to 3B. Rotate the players (outfield to 2B, 2B to 3B, 3B to outfield).  You can incorporate throws to Home as well.
Coaches Point:

The main objective for this drill is to work on improved throwing accuracy, direction and hitting the relay player. Arm strengthening is another goal making the players more effective and confident with their throws.

Modified Around the Horn Drill

Start with two catchers, one of them behind the plate with everyone else in the third base coaches box and one other player on first base. The second catcher is the last person in line at third base. The first fielder takes the third base position and fields a ground ball throwing the ball to first base and then sprints to second base while the player at first throws home. The catcher catches the ball and throws down to second base to the player who was just playing third base. The ball is then thrown back to first and then home. The person at first base runs behind the field and gets at the end of the line at third base. The player at second now runs to first and becomes the first baseman for the next fielder. The next player in line now takes the third base position and the drill is repeated.

Proceed all the way through the order until the second catcher (last in line) occupies first base. After the last throw home the second catcher takes the place of the first catcher and goes through the order.

Coach's Point:

This can be done very quickly and everyone gets an opportunity to experience situations at all three bases. It's also a great drill for figuring out positional strengths in young teams.

Infielding "Hit the Bucket" Drill

Split the team into to equal groups with one group lined up at SS and the other group at 2B. Stack two buckets one on top of the other on home plate. Coach will start the competition on the left side hitting ground ball to each of the players one at a time. The player then makes a throw home trying to hit the bucket. The player gets 3 points for knocking the top bucket off, 1 point for hitting either bucket on a bounce and subtract 1 point for a fielding error. Go through all of the players at SS and total the points. Follow the same drill for the players at 2B. Players switch positions and continue the drill. As players develop throwing accuracy it actually goes pretty quick. This drill encourages the players to charge the ball (shorter throw to home).
 
Coach's Point:
 
This is a great drill for keeping the competitive juices going and working on fielding and throwing accuracy.

Infielding "Fill the Bucket" Drill

Players take their position at 1B, 2B, SS, and 3B. There are two coaches at home plate, each with a bat and a bucket of balls. There is an empty bucket at each base. The drill consists of three rounds.

Round 1 - Coach #1 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to 3rd baseman who field and throws to 1st baseman who puts balls in empty bucket. At the same time, Coach #2 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to shortstop who fields and throws to 2nd baseman covering 2B, who puts balls in empty bucket. Next, coaches turn and Coach #1 hits other 1/2 of bucket to 1st baseman who fields and throws to 3rd baseman who puts balls in empty bucket. At the same time, Coach #2 hits other 1/2 of bucket of ball to 2nd baseman who fields and throws to shortstop covering 2B, who puts balls in empty bucket. Players then bring in buckets and refill coaches' buckets.

Round 2 - Coach #1 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to 3rd baseman who fields and throws
to 2nd baseman covering 2B. At the same time, Coach #2 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to shortstop who fields and throws to 1st baseman. Next, Coach #1 hits other 1/2 of bucket to 1st baseman who fields and throw to shortstop covering 2B. At the same time, Coach #2 hits other 1/2 of bucket to 2nd baseman who fields and throws to 3rd baseman. Players refill coaches' buckets. (make sure that corners play up and middle infielders plays back during this round to avoid anyone getting hit with throw).

Round 3 - Coach #1 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to shortstop who fields and throws to 3rd baseman. At the same time, Coach #2 hits 1/2 bucket of grounders to 2nd baseman who fields and throws to 1st baseman. Next, Coach #1 bunts other 1/2 buckets to 3rd baseman who fields and throws to shortstop covering 3rd base. At the same time, Coach #2 bunts other 1/2 bucket to 1st baseman who fields and throws to 2nd baseman covering 1st base.

Coach's Point:
It's a great drill that takes less than 15 minutes and each of the infielders get about 40 grounders, throws, and catches.

Seven Position Scrimmage

It is important to experience all positions as a young player.  Divide the team into two squads and play a seven inning game.  Pitchers and catchers play their normal posiiton throughout the game but the other players will switch positions each inning.  After the first inning, the first baseman goes to 2nd base, the 2nd baseman goes to shortstop, the shortstop goes to 3rd base, the 3rd baseman goes to left field, the left fielder goes to centerfield, the centerfielder goes to right field and the right fielder goes to 1st base.

Coach's Point:

This drill allows the players to develop as complete players and demonstrate their skills for the game.  Players gain a new appreciation for the challenges at each position.

Infield Drill : Around the Horn

One of the best ways to practice throwing the base from base-to-base i to throw the baseball "around the horn".  This is a game for catchers and infielders.  Divide the the players into teams of four (4) with one fielder at each base and a catcher at home.  Beginning with the catcher, the players must throw the ball clockwise.  After four trips around around the "horn", the direction is reversed so that the ball is going in a counterclockwise fashion.  Teams are awarded one point for each base the ball travels successfully without being overthrown or hitting the ground.

Coach's Point:
The drill is to help players with catching, throwing and quick efficient transfer of the ball from the glove to hand and working as a team.  Adding competitive element increase the children's attention and spirit.

Fielding Drill Using a Catcher's Glove

A great way to develop an infielder in using his hands and having them work together is to have them use a catcher's glove.

Each player should field about 20-30 infield grounders while wearing a catcher' glove.  Work both right and left sides.  Hit slow rollers that he must charge, field and throw to first base.

Coach's Point:

It is much harder to field balls using a catcher's glove.  it is bulky and has a smaller pocket.  This drill will build fundamental skills such as using their throwing hand to gather the ball into the glove.  The player must develop precision to gather the ball into the pocket.

Pepper Drill

The Pepper Game for fielding is my favorite and most memorable childhood activity.  This is a great drill to build hand-eye coordination, quick reaction and to teach older players the value of knocking the ball down at all costs.

Have one or two groups set up with 5 or 7 players in a line facing the coach. Gloves on and players are spread out about 10 to 15 feet apart. One player should be snagging balls for the coach.

The coach will be about 15 feet away from the player and will begin by hit grounders and line drives to the players. He or she does this in random order – the players do not know where the ball is going to be hit. They need to react quickly and then throw the ball to the coach. The coach will hit the ball as quickly as he can to the different players. Players are given pushups for missing balls or making errant throws.  At the end, the players must complete their pushups.  Substitute the coach with players.  Teach players to choke up on the bat when swinging.

Coach's Point:

The focus should be on: reading, reacting, and making a good throw to person collecting balls for the coach. The players must also communicate with one another so there is no problem with collisions on the field. This happens in baseball and can be eliminated if players talk to each other while on the field.

From a hittin gperspective, this drill allows the batter to work on control, bat speed and making consistent contact.

Hit the Relay Drill

You should have a second baseman, shortstop and a third baseman in the infield, along with a right fielder. A base runner will occupy second base during this drill.

How the drill works: At first, the coach can simply give the ball to the right fielder and then signal for the play to begin. This takes the element of trying to focus on catching the ball out of the equation until the player understands the concept of hitting the cut off man. The right fielder should be playing the ball to the cut off man (second baseman) and then the second baseman to the third baseman to try to get the tag out.

This drill can also be run with a left fielder and a base runner on third base. Then the drill would be from the left field to the shortstop and then to home plate. Further, you can add the extra element of catching the ball once the players understand the importance of hitting the cut off man.

Free Range Drill to Work on Fielding Range (Infield or Outfiled)

Range Drill

• 1 line at first base
• 1 line at third base
• 1 coach with bucket of balls at home
• 1 coach with bucket of balls at 2nd

 Players at 1st run toward 2nd and players at 3rd run toward home. Coach at home hits ball into 2nd base gap for the player at first base – they must run and field the ball. Start with balls close to them and then extend the range. Depending on age and skill level get them to the point of diving for the ball. The player fields the ball and puts it in the bucket of the coach who is at second base. Then they run to the end of the line at 3rd base. While this is going on the coach at 2nd base hits a ball for the player on third – same thing. Start close and then work on their range and extending them. They field the ball and put it in the bucket of the coach who is at home. Then they run to the end of the line at 1st base.

After you go through some series of fielding switch where the coaches hit to and where the players run to so you work their range to the other side. Coach at home hits towards second base and players at 3rd run towards 2nd – coach at 2nd hits towards home and players at 1st run towards home.

Drill to Focus on Leader Runner in Double Play

• 3b-2b: half at 3rd, half playing 2nd. Ground ball to 3rd base, throw to 2nd. 2nd basemen move to end of line at 3rd, vice versa.
• SS-2b: half at ss, half playing 2nd base. Ground ball to SS, throw to 2nd. Same movement of players.
• 2b-SS: Same placement of players as above. Ground ball to 2B, throw to 2nd base.
• SS-2B or 2B-SS: same placement before the play and same movement after the play, but now: hit either to 2nd baseman or SS; other one covers bag.

Infield Drill to Build Speed and Quickness

Team of 10-12 players

• Line up 2 players at 1st, 2 at 2nd, and the rest at third. The coach hits a ground ball from home plate to the first person in line at third, that player throws to second and then runs as hard as he or she can to second and gets in line. The player at second throw to 1st and then runs to first as fast as they can go and gets in line there. The player at first throws to home and then runs around the outside of home plate as fast as they can go and gets in line behind third.
• Repeat this for ground balls and then do popups.

Simple fast paced conditioning drill to get them moving. The coach can hit and catch the balls at home or alternate players to hit and catch.

A Sprint Conditioning Routine "Flyers Drill"

I place 3 balls along first base-approx 6 ft apart. A coach on 1st, players start at home plate 1 at a time, sprint to first ball and throw to 1st, then back to touch plate, run 2 second ball throw to first, back to plate and third ball the same. After throwing third ball they sprint back to plate, touch plate then sprint around 1st & 2nd (like hitting a double) still have their gloves.


After rounding 2nd they take a ground ball from coach hitting from plate then they throw to 1st, sprint to 3rd take another ground ball to first, then they put their glove down and start on third with a lead off or two. Then they steal home and slide. After they hit home they sprint to third and before they can get their gloves back they do 15 push ups and a complete lap around the field.

Any missed throws, missed touching bases etc. they go to the end of the line and redo it until they get it right.