14U and 13U Junirs Curriculum LYBO 1. Thrwing 2. Base running 3. Catcher 4. Batting 5. Infield 6. Outfield 7. Pitcher Thrwing Curriculum Objectives: Reinfrce stretching and warming up arms with exercises ALWAYS befre thrwing Imprving accuracy and velcity with prper mechanics Different thrwing mechanics fr 3 rd basemen, middle infield and utfield Squaring shulders t align glve elbw t align t target fr increased accuracy Transferring weight and using cre fr increased velcity Expectatins All players shuld be able t make an accurate 80 thrw By nw all defensive thrws shuld be dne with a 4 seam grip Curriculum Start each practice with stretches and calisthenics and then thrwing mechanics drills. As the seasn starts this will be yur pre-game warm up. The premise f the prgressin is it warms up the players and builds n keys steps f thrwing crrectly at the same time. Here is the sequence. Players stand 15 ft apart and d a wrist waggle flip. (thrw with elbw straight ut frm ear and frearm at 90 degrees with glve under thrwing arm elbw) Emphasis is players fcus n release that is ver the tp and prper ball rtatin. This als helps player see hw getting mre wrist in thrw increases velcity. I tell player t thrw like a dart but I ve recently realize mst dn t knw what a dartbard is. Players kneel 25 ft apart and thrw while kneeling (right knee n grund and left knee up fr righties). Emphasis is making circle in thrwing mtin and fllw thrugh where back is bent and thrwing arm finishes n utside f knee that is up Player stand with chest square at 45 feet. Emphasis is weight transfer frm balls f feet, t heels t ball f feet and rtating trs. Cmplete thrwing mtin finishing acrss the bdy.
Pwer psitin at 60 feet and gradually mve t 80 feet Emphasis here is pinting frnt shuld at target and weight transfer. With each f these I teach players t aim with frnt elbw and mve the glve hand ut and in. Lng tss at 90 feet and gradually mve t 100 feet. This is where it all cmes tgether r falls apart. It the players aren t ding all the things in steps 1-4 they ll never make this distance and/r hit the target. Here are a cuple gd vide that teaches sme different steps in thrwing prgressin drills fr reference. https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=mbla9rhnqti https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=pimarlkbdcy
Base running Curriculum (Junirs Level) Objectives: Learn t take extra bases n a batted ball r an errr Fcus n basic base running fundamentals fr cmpetitive baseball Reinfrce prper technique fr the set psitin at a base as a base runner Develp ability t rund bases and t slide Recgnize what t d in situatins when the ball is hit in the air with less than tw uts Learn t listen t and wrk with base caches when running bases. Players shuld never hesitate n a sign. Players shuld be in sync with signs given t the batter. Use ability t think f situatins befre each pitch is thrwn Expectatins: Players shuld be practicing at least ne new base running fundamental (knwledge) r skill as a part f each practice Integrate base running skills int the warm-up each practice fr mre efficient use f practice time Players shuld be fcusing n thinking ahead and anticipating situatins n every play Players will master the fundamentals f running frm hme t first n a batted ball Curriculum Hw t leave the batter s bx when the ball is batted Understanding base caches rle and taking directin frm the base caches while advancing Running t first base run thrugh the base, turn head twards ful territry t lk fr verthrw, stay in ful territry
when & hw t rund the base Cnsistently reinfrce thinking ahead n the bases. Players shuld be advancing mre n their wn at this age. Players shuld be quizzed n the number uts Base caches shuld discuss ptential situatins befre every pitch What t d if a grund ball is hit What t d if a pp fly is hit Recgnizing a safe distance t be ff a base Hw t rund each base (bellying ut) Sliding Explain the rules f tagging up : Secndary leads Tagging up Ging half way n balls hit in the air Advanced skills Stealing hme n pitcher Recgnizing tendencies f pitcher Checking psitin f utfielders n each psitin and knwing when an extra base pprtunity exist immediately upn seeing lcatin f hit ball
Objectives: CATCHER TRAINING (Junirs level) Learn prper set-up & stance Develp prper receiving techniques Learn t becme a fielder when ball is in play Learn t be the field leader, including cmmunicatin & respnsibilities Imprve ability t calm pitcher and t wrk ne-n-ne with the pitcher as a team Expectatins: Each team shuld have a minimum f 3 catchers wh adequately master the Jr. s curriculum Catchers are t be given individual r small grup instructin n sme prtin f the fundamental skills utlined in this curriculum at least 1x per week. Catchers shuld be wrking in full gear with pitchers as a regular part f each practice Catcher s Curriculum Set-up & stance: Set-up shuld be lw & wide with bth yur legs & feet. Weight shuld be distributed n the inside f yur feet with cncentratin f weight at the balls f yur feet. Lw stance & target with thrwing hand behind back fr safety. Receiving: When receiving gd pitches yur bdy needs t be quiet. Avid rtating the shulders, and als avid excessive mvement up & dwn and side t side. Catching the ball with yur glve hand smthly and gently. Receive the ball with sft hands
G ut t the ball with the glve, rather than receiving it in clse t yur bdy When the ball is put in play: Once yu have identified where the ball is remve face mask and becme a fielder. Cver hme fr any play t the plate Back up the pitcher n balls thrwn back t the pitcher frm all fielders when there is n ne advancing t third base. Thrwing: Stand up after receiving the pitch and step ut in frnt f the plate t thrw the ball back t the pitcher. Reinfrce gd thrwing frm n every thrw back. Cmmunicatin & Respnsibilities: Encurage and reinfrce gd pitching. Take trips t the pitcher s mund t talk t the pitcher when the pitcher is upset r struggling t thrw strikes. Tell him that yu are ging t catch his pitches and get him sme strikes. Back-up 1 st base n grund balls with n ne n base. Being the field leader: Let the team knw hw many uts there are with every new batter. Advanced Catcher ability: Being the leader- there shuld be at least ne catcher wh understands the game and their rle n the field Learn t blck balls in the dirt Fielding bunt like hits that are between the catcher and pitcher and then thrwing the runner ut at first
Hitting Training (junirs level) Objectives Develp a cnsistent mechanics and the ability t put ball in play Anticipate pitch type Start t take cntrl f the pitcher Reinfrce hitter discipline in recgnizing the dimensins f the strike zne and identify strikes fr hitting Learn what pitch cunts are and imprve ability t make cntact and expand zne as necessary fr tw strike cunts
Expectatins Gal f 20 swings at every practice (tee, sft-tss, &/r BP) Dn t underestimate tee wrk. Yu shuld never g right t BP withut incrprating tee wrk. As a gd practice it s always gd t have a tee r hit stick statin during BP as warm up and t recycle a player wh is struggling at the plate Develpment f stance and swing fundamentals as t hitter s curriculum belw (All players shuld master # s 1 & 2 belw) All players will understand the rules that apply t being in the batter s bx and when it is apprpriate t step ut f the batter s bx Advanced player skill: hitting curve balls and anticipating ff speed pitches placing ball in the gaps Hitter Curriculum 1. Grip and hand psitin Bat in finger tips Line up kncking knuckles NOT in palm Lse hands 2. Stance and Psitin in bx There is n wrng psitin Feet shulder width apart (athletic psitin) Preferably a straight/neutral stance Balanced psitin achieved by getting rhythm (light bunce in knees) 3. Stride and weight transfer Slw take back bw and arrw apprach Reach with frnt ft te first (DON T mve weight frward) Pwer transfer thru hips Stay Straight head & eyes level Transfer weight hands g straight t ball KEEP FRONT SHOULDER DOWN ON BALL (chin t shulder) 4. Swing & fllw thrugh Level swing (fr liners and grunders) D NOT lk up! Again, shulder dwn! Head Dwn.
Objectives: INFIELDER INSTRUCTION (Junirs level) Getting int the set psitin at each pitch is rutine Imprve grund ball fielding technique, learn prper ft and eye t field ball Cut-ff rles and back-up respnsibilities are rutine Turning duble play is expected Learn what ft and eye t field ball Learn feeding balls vs thrwing Expectatins: Each player will have a primary psitin and secndary psitin (ne infield and ne utfield) All fielders shuld be fielding a minimum f 20 grund balls per practice All players will develp the in fielding knwledge and skills defined in the curriculum Mental errrs will be the exceptin Infielder Curriculum Set psitin and situatinal psitining will be expected Ready Psitin glve at waist facing up, steps in as pitcher delivers, bend at knees and waist Advanced techniques fr cvering bases t prmte duble plays Receiving grund balls Prper grund ball fielding technique (fielding ball f prper ft, sft hands) Quick feet, mving thrugh ball The thrw feet cntinue mving, staying lw, shulder pinted at target Receiving balls in the air Calling the ball Get t ball fast, dn t flat Plant feet and thrw ball back int the infield quickly Thrwing Learn t grip, thrw and/r feed the ball depending n the situatin (depth f play and psitin f runners). Thrw shuld be mre cmpact at this level Shuffle feet n lnger thrws frm left side f infield Cmmunicatin & Respnsibilities: Let utfielders knw the number f uts befre each batter (rutine) Back-up n every play Cut-ff respnsibilities fr middle infielders Advanced Infielder skills & knwledge: Situatinal- key attribute is always knwing where the play is Quick transitin
Taking charge, being the leader
Outfield Training (Junirs) Objectives: Learn prper psitining & the utfielder s set psitin Always hustling t the ball and get the ball back int the infield quickly Develp prper fielding techniques fr receiving bth grund balls and fly-balls Master ability t crw-hp in game situatins Prperly judge the flight f a batted ball Thrw t the apprpriate cut-ff man withut hesitatin Expectatins: (Outfielders have 3 majr assignments) All players shuld practice ut fielding skills regularly in practice All players shuld field a minimum f 10 fly balls r pp-up at every practice Players shuld be aware f the 3 majr assignments (belw fr utfielders) 1. Take a base hit away frm a batter whenever pssible. (Catch the fly ball). 2. Cut dwn the length f base hits. (Hustle and wrk tgether t hld the batter and/r runners t the minimum number f bases). 3. Keep runners frm advancing whenever pssible. Get t the ball fast and get it in fast! (Thrw t the right cut-ff r base; thrw strngly and accurately). Outfielder s Curriculum ON EVERY PITCH an utfielder must: Be in the crrect psitin. (See psitining belw) The utfielder shuld watch the batter and nt the pitcher, as the ball is being delivered t the plate As the batter strides t hit, the utfielder shuld be mving frward slightly in the set psitin. He shuld listen t the sund f the bat meeting ball. With a little experience it will tell him hw hard the ball is hit.
The utfielder always breaks FAST! (Drp-step, crssver step & pivt step) ON BALLS TO THE OUTFIELD an utfielder must: Fly balls: Get t the ball fast and wait fr it. Never drift t a ball. Grund balls: Try t get it ff an early hp. The lnger and slwer it rlls the trickier the hps becme. Get t grunders FAST! Run n yur tes, nt yur heels. Running n heels makes yur head bunce and makes tracking a fly ball mre difficult. Especially imprtant n balls hit ver yur head where yu have t turn and run. Use yur bare hand t blck the sun. (if necessary) POSITIONING Players shuld recgnize where t g when assigned t a particular utfield psitin by the first game f the seasn RESPONSIBILITIES Calling the ball Outfielders shuld back each ther up n every utfield play. Each utfielder shuld back up the base in frnt f him n every infield play.
PITCHER INSTRUCTION (Majrs BB) The LYBO Pitcher Curriculum is based n using athletes natural thrwing mtin t create the mst effective, efficient thrwing mtin fr their particular bdy type. It is imprtant t value the fact that each pitcher has a unique muscular make up and therefre allw them t be unique in their thrwing mtin. The mst imprtant aspects f yuth pitcher develpment are t fster sund mechanics that are safe, fcus n cnsistency in the delivery and t emphasize the mental apprach t pitching. Objectives Master tw and fur-seam fast balls Learn t thrw change-up with effectiveness and when apprpriate Learn crrect mechanics fr curve ball Master cnsistent, sund mechanics n all pitches Identify hw and when t step ff the rubber Learn hw t deliver an accurate pick-ff thrw t first base Learn t receive and incrprate signs frm the catcher Imprve n using lcatin t pitch mre effectively Teach pitching frm stretch and full wind up Expectatins Pitchers shuld be wrking regularly in practice with the team s catchers Catchers shuld be able t give lcatins fr certain ut pitches and pitchers shuld be able t hit thse lcatins Reinfrce the imprtance f a mechanically sund delivery (preferably frm the set psitin) and be sure t als reinfrce the imprtance f cnsistency with the delivery. Pitcher Curriculum Warm-up imperative prir t each sessin Starting pitcher Light Jg fllwed by running 2x frm ful ple t ful ple in the utfield Full bdy stretching fcusing n legs, shulders, arms and wrists *See recmmended dynamic stretching at end f Majrs BB pitcher curriculum Thrw casually t take an inventry f hw arm and bdy feels Start at abut 25-30 ft. and stretch ut distance t at least 60 feet Once lse begin with abut 5-10 thrws ding a casual delivery Prgress t abut 80% effrt at regulatin distance Number f thrws depends entirely n the pitcher and hw they feel Finish with a few near game speed pitches that are thrwn t specific lcatins Prper way t hld/grip the ball The farther apart yur fingers are the weaker they becme fr thrwing. The prper distance between fingers is just abut an index fingers width apart. Use tw r fur-seam grip fr fastball Wind-up Cach Crrall vide
http://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=gj4snscplbc&feature=player_detailpage
Basic steps f pitching mtin The Set-up Offset ft angle (abut 40 degrees frm center) Rest hands under chin Bth elbws relaxed and at side The step back Baby step back Nse ver tes Plant ft Plant ft against rubber Leg lift/balance pint Turn hip and lift knee t chest (if pssible) Hands shuld nt be higher than chin Balance pint head ver back leg Separate hands and drive Land at Pwer psitin Hips and shulder align with target Get arm up and ut ball pinted back t SS fr RHP, 2B fr LHP Release and fllw thrugh Stretch SprtsMED vide http://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=tmgfz1x9bmc&feature=player_detailpage Start psitin Aligned with plate Knees bent and relaxed Feet spread cmfrtably wide Cme set Stay square t the plate feet shuld stay in alignment Bring feet t shulder width by stepping in with lead leg Hands cme tgether with elbws nw at sides and relaxed Hands just belw chin Leg lift/balance pint Turn hip and lift knee Balance pint head ver back leg Separate hands and drive Land at Pwer psitin Hips and shulder align with target Get arm up and ut ball pinted back t SS fr RHP, 2B fr LHP Release and fllw thrugh Pick-ff mves ClubHuseGas vide http://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=lnrf6y6zzo&feature=player_detailpage Cvering first n grunder t first basemen Pitcher runs as fast as (s)he can fr a spt near the ful line that is abut 10 feet t the hme plate side f 1 st base. Turn left t run alng the inside f the base line (but nt in the base line!)
Hands shuld be up near chest and pen as a gd target After catching the ball, lk dwn fr the base Hit 2 nd base side f bag with right ft and cntinue with mmentum twards secnd t avid entangling with base runner running up the ful line If runners are n base: after tagging 1 st quickly face the infield ready t make the next thrw Additinal cnsideratins Mental apprach n the mund Wrk n slwing dwn and fcus n every pitch Pitching is nt a sprint, stress nt rushing The best pitch in baseball is a strike Prper psitining f feet n the pitching rubber Right side r left side f rubber Arm angle and thrwing mtin decide Psitining the catcher/target Teach fcus stress thrwing frm pitcher t catcher Majrs shuld begin mastery f thrwing t edges f plate Hw t take the thrw back frm the catcher Psitin neself at the ft f the mund and give a chest high target Catch the ball with 2 hands 2 nd base r SS must backup the thrw frm catcher Be aware f pitch cunt Be aware f where runners are n base paths and recgnize that yu will need t return t stretch psitin if runners are n The crrect way t turn back t the mund Teach head n swivel and be aware f the situatin When pitcher n the rubber, play stps at Instructinal, Junir and Minr levels Majr s pitch frm stretch with runners n base, must be aware f runners n base and the situatin (Outs, Frces, etc.) Backup respnsibilities Pitcher backs up 3 rd n a thrw t 3 rd base Pitcher cvers hme n a passed ball Pitcher backs up hme n a thrw t the plate frm utfield r cutff man Advanced pitcher knwledge & skill Use f signs and lcatin in games Learn effective pick-ff mves t all three bases Learn curve ball *Dynamic Stretching Warm-up Te Tuches Right ft ver Left and then Left ver Right Side lunges Twice each side Sum Squat - 10 Lunges with Hands n hips 20 yards / 2 times
High knees fr 20 yards 2 times Jg 10 yards / sprint fr 10 yards 2 times Jg ful ple t ful ple 2 times
Other Resurces: Little League University: Other Resurces: Little League University: http://www.littleleagueu.rg/#user_type=league_fficial: Sectins fr: Parents Umpires Cach League Officials Categries fr all ages Tpics frm hitting t fielding t cmmunicatin t fun drills and skills Scial Media: Facebk CachLisle.cm The Matheny Manifest: http://mikematheny.cm/sites/default/files/dcs/mathenymanifest.pdf Vides: Pwer Stance Thrwing https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=f3pvkikjsky Infield Fielding Drill https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=xbzdmxpgrwe Beginners Catching Drill https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=2mruwpjs64e Hitting fr yuth (Mre Advanced) https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=73ljh3gelfg http://www.littleleagueu.rg/#user_type=league_fficial:
Sectins fr: Parents Umpires Cach League Officials Categries fr all ages Tpics frm hitting t fielding t cmmunicatin t fun drills and skills Vides: Pwer Stance Thrwing https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=f3pvkikjsky Infield Fielding Drill https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=xbzdmxpgrwe Beginners Catching Drill https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=2mruwpjs64e Hitting fr yuth (Mre Advanced) https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=73ljh3gelfg