AVTB Skill Develpment fr Ages 12-15 This shuld be used as a guide. Players will prgress at varius times. The skill areas t teach the senir age players include: Base running Understand that in-dugut bservatins regarding the ppnent s strategies and individual idisyncrasies can be transferred int better base running (i.e. pitcher s pick-ff mves t bases). Cntinue t bserve and slidify bservatins made in the dugut. Batter-Runner t 1st base Develp prficiency leaving the batters bx (i.e. first 4 steps) Sund mechanics running thrugh first base n grund ball t infield and be mentally alert t the verthrw Ability t steal secnd base given a specific set f circumstances (i.e. straight steal, delay, first mve). Sund mechanics n runding the bases Aggressively taking the extra base Ball in the visin f the baserunner (i.e. he is n his wn) Ball ut f the visin f the runner (i.e. use f the base cach). Running frm 1st base Cnsistently execute a variety f leads Cnsistently execute a variety f breaks (i.e. batted balls, balls in the dirt, steals). Running in the 1st and 3rd situatin Cnsistently execute a variety f ffensive plays (i.e. duble steals, tw-ut situatin, early break). Running frm 2nd base Cnsistently execute a variety f leads in crdinatin with the base cach Cnsistently execute the guidelines n batted grund balls and flyballs, cnsistent with cnventinal baseball thery Have ability t steal third base given a specific set f circumstances. Running frm 3rd base variety f leads variety f breaks (i.e. flyball, line drive and cntact play) In crdinatin with batter, cnsistently demnstrate ability t execute squeeze plays (i.e. suicide & safety). Understand cnventinal base running strategy and techniques in the fllwing situatins: first and secnd secnd and third bases laded. Sprinting Able t demnstrate prper sprinting technique (i.e. hip-trs actin, arm actin, leg actin) Begin advanced training techniques such as interval training and plymetrics. Thrwing/Catching Able t demnstrate prper thrwing and catching techniques. Team Defense Execute: ne thrw rundwn cnventinal bunt defenses in a variety f game situatins. variety f pick-ff plays (i.e. daylight plays, timed plays, catcher pick-ffs and specialty pickffs). 1st and 3rd defense with a variety f techniques t cmbat any and all game situatins. wild pitch and passed ball defenses in a ttal team cncept. flyball prtcl with an emphasis n cmmunicatin that will succeed in varius playing envirnments. Master individual techniques and team tactics fr all cut-ff situatins Nbdy n base, single t all fields Man n first base, single t the utfield
AVTB Skill Develpment fr Ages 12-15 Man n secnd base, single t the utfield Man n third base r first and third (i.e. sacrifice fly r single t the utfield). Nbdy n base, lng single r pssible duble. Master individual techniques and team tactics fr all duble relay plays Nbdy n base, sure duble (i.e. ball dwn the line r ball in the alley). Man n first base, sure duble (i.e. ball dwn the lines r ball in the alley). ability t execute a variety f team tactics t defend hit and run (i.e. pitch-uts, switching cverages and fakes). Catchers system f signals fr the pitches and team defensive plays. fundamentally sund catching stance that can be easily adjusted t cnsistently receive ball, blck pitches and thrw t infielders. demnstrate several techniques t handle a variety f pitches t best utilize strike zne (i.e. framing, lw ball, backhand). blck the ball in the dirt. ability t execute tag play in a variety f game situatins. ability t field batted balls (i.e. bunts and pp flys). sund thrwing mechanics t handle a variety f base stealing situatins. gd mechanics in handling the Hme t 1st duble play. Infielders Refine the mental preparatin and verbal cmmunicatin befre the pitch. Understand that game situatins affect psitining n the field and may lead t mre situatinal psitining. prficiency in fielding grund balls in regard t varius game situatins (i.e. backhand, slw rller, diving catches) charge the ball ftwrk t maximize range prficient glve skills s as nt t turn the glve ver understand and develp the prper angle t the ball. prficiency in catching pp-flys while increasing range f cverage and ability t deal with envirnmental factrs (i.e. sun and ranging int the utfield). prficiency f perfrming the cnventinal duble plays and understand varius unique duble play pprtunities that might ccur in game situatins. Develp mre advanced and varied techniques in the executin f the tag play and cvering bases. prficiency in hlding base runners clse t the base. First Baseman prficiency in arriving t first base t receive a thrw (i.e. distance frm 1 st base depending n the team defense). Develp skill f getting int athletic psitin t receive thrw and be able t mve feet t handle a variety f thrws. Develp advanced stretch techniques t receive a variety f thrws (i.e. lw thrws, in the dirt, high thrws). Develp advanced techniques n a variety f tag plays (i.e. pick-ff attempts, batter/runner n thrws up the line). prficiency f breaking ff the base t a fielding psitin, when hlding a runner n prficiency f individual respnsibilities and techniques f: varius bunt defenses (i.e. fielding bunts with accurate thrws t all bases). varius cutff plays. carius duble-play situatins. Refine prficiency in catching pp-flys near a fence r dugut. Secnd Baseman
AVTB Skill Develpment fr Ages 12-15 Develp a variety f advanced techniques t feed the shrtstp (thrw) n the duble play. Develp a variety f advanced techniques t execute the duble play. ftwrk glve skills thrws prficiency f individual respnsibilities and techniques f: varius bunt defenses varius cut-ff plays. varius relay plays (i.e. be a target, catch and thrw accurately). Shrtstp Develp a variety f advanced techniques t feed the secnd baseman (thrw) n the duble play. Develp a variety f advanced techniques t execute the duble play. ftwrk glve skills thrws prficiency f individual respnsibilities and techniques f: varius bunt defenses. varius cut-ff plays (i.e. cutff man r cver prper base). varius relay plays (i.e. be a target, catch and thrw accurately). Third Baseman Develp a variety f advanced techniques t feed the secnd baseman (thrw) n the duble play. prficiency f individual respnsibilities and techniques f: varius bunt defenses (i.e. fielding bunts with accurate thrws t all bases). varius cut-ff plays (i.e. cutff man r cver prper base). Assertively cut-ff grund balls in frnt f the shrtstp. prficiency in catching pp flys near a fence r dugut. Outfielders During pre-game learn hw ball rebunds ff fence and plays ut f cmers. Demnstrate prficiency in: ging back n the flybball (i.e. drp-step and prper angle f pursuit). fielding flyballs (i.e. prper technique and ball curving twards line). variety f catches (i.e. sliding and diving). fielding grund balls in regards t varius game situatins (i.e. blck and catch, infield technique and all r nne play). thrwing t cut-ff and/r relay man. fielding a baseball stpped at the utfield fence. backing up bases and infielders in varius situatins. thrwing ver-hand using full arm extensin and with a fur-seam grip. Pitchers Develp a pitching specific warm-up rutine in the bullpen t maximize perfrmance. Develp the ability t thrw a variety f pitches including: tw-seam fastball, fur-seam fastball, slider, curveball, change-up and/r a specialty pitch. Develp cmmand f all pitches (i.e. lcatin and rtatin). Display knwledge f tactics and strategies t explit hitter s weaknesses. Learn t map ut and execute a specific game plan that maximizes strengths and expses ppnent s weaknesses. Demnstrate an understanding f percentage baseball by making wise, tacticalpitching decisins based n the fllwing factrs: staying ahead f the hitter
AVTB Skill Develpment fr Ages 12-15 Hitting Signs have hitters hit yur pitch knw the game situatin knw the imprtance f uts and the runner n base (i.e. tying and winning runs). Maintain cmpsure at all times (i.e. defensive errrs and umpire calls). Cnsistently execute prper pitching mechanics t prtect the thrwing arm and maximize perfrmance. Refine pitching frm the wind-up psitin Refine pitching frm the set psitin Demnstrate prficiency in: fielding grund balls. fielding balls bunted dwn the first base line, straight at pitcher and dwn the third base line. fielding bunts and thrwing t secnd base. fielding bunts and thrwing t third base. cvering first base. thrwing t secnd base fr a duble play. cvering hme plate n wild pitches and passed balls. backing up bases. hlding runners n base. variety f pick-ff mves. Have a clear understanding that the purpse f hitting is t hit the ball hard every time, t hit line drives, hard grund balls and t be mentally ready t hit every pitch in every at-bat. Develp a hitting specific rutine prir t the at-bat in the dugut and n-deck circle t maximize perfrmance. Demnstrate an understanding f percentage baseball by making wise, tactical hitting decisins based n the fllwing factrs: lcatin in the batter s bx anticipate pitch based n the cunt ffensive situatin playing cnditins. Display knwledge f tactics and strategies t explit pitcher s weaknesses. Cnsistently execute prper hitting mechanics t maximize perfrmance. Develp the ability t hit a variety f pitches (i.e. lcatin and/r type f pitch). Learn t map ut and execute specific game plan that maximizes strengths and expses ppnent s weaknesses (i.e. hit t all fields). Understand t never waste a time at bat because at-bats are s precius. Intrduce and develp the visual cmpnent f hitting t maximize perfrmance: learn t pick up the ball learn t cue the pitcher s actin t tip pitches. Bunting Develp prficiency f the sacrifice bunt. Develp prficiency f a variety f squeeze plays (i.e. suicide & safety squeeze,). Refine prficiency f bunting fr a base hit t upset the defense, t help the team, t imprve batting average and prevent a slump: drag bunt push bunt slash bunt. Cach t Player ffensive signs Cach t Player defensive signs Player t Player ffensive signs
AVTB Skill Develpment fr Ages 12-15 Player t Player defensive signs Sprts Psychlgy Players shuld: Develp a ritual r rutine befre each pitch, bth ffensively and defensively. Run nt the field with an air f cnfidence, gd bdy psture and appear in emtinal cntrl at all times. Understand the benefits f and use f psitive self-talk n the field. Realize that psitive cmments help reduce stress, enhance self-image and can increase the enjyment f cmpetitin and practice. Understand the damage negative self-talk can d bth t the mind and the bdy. Realize that negative cnversatin can cntribute t lw self-esteem and sabtage the enjyment f the game. Be able t visibly cntrl their breathing patterns at difficult and tense mments during the game. Understand that mistakes are a part f the game. Fcus n things they can cntrl such as executing a game plan AND giving 100% effrt at all times when cmpeting. Learn and practice relaxatin exercises. Understand and use imagery and breathing regulatin techniques t calm dwn the mind and relax the bdy. Be able t cncentrate n the field. Be aware that the natural tendency is fr eyes t wander utside the field between pitches Understand the imprtance f keeping cmpetitin in the prper perspective. Reframe situatins f perceived pressure in a mre relaxed and realistic light. Sprtsmanship/Character Develpment Players shuld: Realize the imprtance f hnesty and integrity f the game n- and ff- the field. Learn cping skills t deal with stress. Learn t balance schl, scial activity, baseball and family. Develp a sense f independence and respnsibility fr actins as an individual and as a cmpetitr. Develp a sense f team cmmitment. Learn nt t abuse alchl r cntrlled substances, and t participate in anti-drug prgrams. Appreciate the benefits received frm baseball and be willing t give back t the game, particularly t yunger players and fans.