The Guide to Coaching Sport's
objective is to "train the teachers" so that you, as a prent, can continue
to help your child develop baseball throwing skills. You will learn new
techniques and drills that will enhance your child's ability to be
successful. We cover
throwing,
fielding,
hitting,
sliding, practice organization, coaching philosophy, and other
fundamentals. We do all of this with one underlying emphasis: MAKE THE
GAME FUN! Our goal is not to turn your young player into a professional,
but to give him or her the tools for success that will make the game more
enjoyable for the both of you. If baseball is your game add this Web to your
favorites right now.
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To develop the player's arm
and shoulder strength for throwing:
Each player kneels on the
ground 10 yards apart facing each other. (Right handed players kneel
on right knee with the left leg out in front, while left handed
players kneel on left knee with the right leg out in front.) Each pair
has one baseball.
The players throw the ball back
and forth to each other for a desire time period. Then the players are
moved apart another 5 yards, and they continue to throw back and forth
to each other for an additional time period. The drill continues to
proceed in this manner for as long as desired. The distance the
players are moved apart depends on their arm and shoulder strength. |
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To teach infielders to
concentrate on their throws and stress the team work. If one player
doesn’t make a good throw the outfielders need to be in position to
back up the bases.
Position
a complete infield, except for the pitcher, and outfield. The drill
starts with the coach hitting to the second baseman, the second
baseman throws to third base, the third baseman throws to first base,
the first baseman throws to the short stop, and the short stop throws
to the catcher. The whole time this is going on you have a runner run
the bases. They leave at the same time as the coach hits the ball.
Make sure that your fielders stay in their normal positions and do not
start moving closer together. |
| Works on the outfield keeping
stopping the ball and making the throw into the infield. Works on
base-running and sliding.
Line up
three, four or five players at the following positions. Right field,
first base, and third base.
The
player's at first base take turns as base-runners and try to make it
safely to third base. On the coaches signal, the player from first
takes of, heading for third base. Every time the running gets to third
base they need to go in sliding. The coach hits the ball behind the
runner to the right fielder, the right fielder makes the stop and
try's to throw the runner out at third. The third baseman needs to
stop the ball and make a low tag. Rotate the players after each turn.
Player plays the same position - runner, right field or third base,
through two rotations, before moving to another position. |
| Great for working the infield
quickly and warming up and teaching players how to back up the throw.
(If you can't see the player making the throw, you are to close to
back up the play).
Position a player at each infield position excluding
pitcher and shortstop. Each base excluding the catcher has a backup
who is positioned behind the base. Begin the drill with the catcher
throwing to first, first throws to second, second throws to home.
Continue around five or more times seeing how quickly they can get the
ball around. Then reverse and go from home to third, to second to
first and back home. |
| To simulate throw under game
conditions. Works on proper execution of throwing and relay mechanics.
Divide the team into groups of four. Place members
of each group between 60 and 90 feet apart depending on age. Place
first person on the first base foul line and spread the balance of
player towards left field. Infielders should be in the middle two
"relay men" positions so they can practice relay moves. Player at the
beginning of the line have a ball. On coaches command player throw the
ball down and back a predetermined number of times. If an overthrow
occurs or relay man is missed, the ball must be returned and the throw
made accurately before ball can be advanced. The winning group is the
group who throws the ball down and back the predetermined number of
times the fastest. The "relay men" should turn to their glove hand
side. |
| To develop the outfielders throwing
accuracy and emphasize the importance of throwing the ball low and on
the line. This drill also works on helping the players understand
alignment.
Make sure you work all fields; left, center and
right. Start off with all outfielders in left field in single file.
Infield and catcher are in their positions. Start off by hitting a
grounder down the left field line, outfield throws to second base,
then goes to the back of the line. After all fielders have gone
through once, hit grounder to left center, outfielder fields the ball
and throws to second base, once group has completed one cycle hit
grounder directly to left fielder who will now throw to home. Finally,
hit a routine fly ball to the left fielder, fielder should catch and
then throw home. After group has completed cycle rotate players to
center field and start over. During this drill have the infield
completed the following throws so that they will not get board. On
throws to second base, second baseman should catch the ball, make the
tag and then throw to third base, third baseman will catch the ball,
make the tag and throw to first, first baseman should catch the ball,
step on base and throw to the shortstop, shortstop will catch the ball
and throw home. On throws to home, catcher should catch the ball, make
the tag and throw to shortstop who is covering third, shortstop will
catch the ball, make the tag and throw to first, first throws to
second, second to third. |
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