Rome wasn t built in a Day.

Fundamental Focus of Week #4: Team Defense This week we are going to build the team defense portion of our practice plan. To cover the different situations players encounter during a game, we like to rotate a series of drills followed by a short period of situations with base runners to reinforce the skill taught. For example, we might introduce the Corner Series on the first practice. After several practices, we may rotate to the next drill in the sequence. We would continue this process until we have worked through each series. We really like the dual or multiple fungos used in each drill because it quickens the pace of practice and involves more players. But, when you introduce these drills, be sure to talk it, walk it, run it, rep it. Corners Drill Iso Right/Left Drill TCU Stations Point Loma Multi-purpose Drills Relays/Cut-offs Situations Rome wasn t built in a Day. Practice #1 Wee/Tee Ball WYLB Sample Practice Plan Tuesday, March 16, 2013 TIME MIN GROUP ACTIVITY COACHING POINTS 5:30 10 Team Base Running follow the leader-- slow jog once around base following Follow the leader coach Big League Baserunning Drill H/1 st batter claps hands to simulate batting o Home 1 st (infield single) Touch front of bag; run through base 10 ft; glance right o 1 st 3 rd (jog or walk home) after crossing base for throw away o Home 2 nd (double) Use cones for banana curve lean into the turn; hit the o 2 nd Home (score) inside of bag o Home 3 rd (triple) 1 st /3 rd look for coach instruction at cone; head down to see o Home run base; look for coach again for instruction after rounding 2 nd ; coach wave them around or send them back to 2 nd 5:40 15 Team Throwing Progression (Baylor University) Pair each player with a parent Standing (Break & Throw) No Ball x 3 Use tennis ball or soft core balls Standing (Break & Throw) x 3 Hand on top of the ball Standing (Ready Throw) x 3 Scarecrow position after break Standing (Shuffle Twice, Throw) x 3 Pull the glove to your heart Standing (shuffle Once, Throw) x 3 C-Grip with 4 seams Arm at 90 degrees coming over top Release ball off fingertips Throw to glove side Stations (3 groups of 4 players) 5:55 10 Group 1 Throwing (right field) Assist Coach Players line up along the foul line Long Toss Golf Turn body o Step & throw x 5 point front shoulder straight ahead o Shuffle & throw x 5 raise throwing arm so elbow is above shoulder Throw for Distance step with the non-throwing side foot toward the target & o Step & throw x 5 throw o Shuffle & throw x 5 determine who threw the farthest players race to see who can retrieve their ball first and get back to the foul line 6:05 10 Group 2 Hitting (home plate) Head Coach Stance: Knees flexed, wide base (length of bat), lose upper body, bat Hitting off Tee into fence (tennis balls) x 10 against back shoulder Grip: Grip bat at calluses not palm w/ knuckles aligned 1

6:15 10 rotate Group 3 Hitting tossed soft core baseball x 10 o Extra players play SS & 2B o Field balls then throw to parent at 1B Note: Double BP with tee & front toss if square screen is available Note: Wee Ball double BP with 2 Tees Catching/Fielding (left field)-- Assist Coach Fielding Rolled Grounders o Up & Down Line Grounders o Random Grounders o Random Elimination Grounders Catching Pop-ups o Up & Down Line Pop-ups o Random Pop-ups o Random Elimination Pop-ups Load: lift front foot up & then down Torque Position: Drop front heel, back heel comes off ground, back leg inverted L, back shoulder drops, back elbow against ribs, front elbow begins working up to plane of the ball,, bat remains against shoulder, top half closed Swing: chin up, eyes level, get palm-up/palm down as quickly as possible Follow Through: finish swing at opposite shoulder, slight bend backwards, stiff front leg Players line up along the foul line Go up & down the line, rolling them ground balls Have each player toss the ball back to you Next, roll ball to different players at random Elimination game in which those who catch the balls stay in and those who miss sit down Wide base with Staggered stance (glove foot in front) keep butt down Catch ball out in front of you Receiver alligators and funnels ball into chest by pulling the hands to the heart, tucking chin to chest Pop to the scarecrow position and pull glove to heart & throw 6:25 5 Team Base Running Banana curve lean into the turn; hit the inside of bag Team Relay Race Chase the Rabbit 6:30 2 Team Conclusion Review goals & objectives Progress made during the week Point out positives from the day Stack hands & Break-out Practice #1 WYLB Sample Practice Plan Tuesday, March 16, 2013 TIME MIN GROUP ACTIVITY COACHING POINTS 5:25 5 Team Pre-Practice Wall Ball Elimination game in which players throw the ball off a wall. If the next player in line fields the ball clean, he stays in and throws the ball off the wall for the next player to field. The players who miss sit down 5:30 15 Team Base Running Follow the leader Big League Baserunning Drill o Home 1 st (infield single) o 1 st 3 rd (jog or walk home) o Home 2 nd (double) o 2 nd Home (score) o Home 3 rd (triple) o Home run follow the leader-- slow jog once around base following coach H/1 st batter claps hands to simulate batting Touch front of bag; run through base 10 ft; glance right after crossing base for throw away Use cones for banana curve lean into the turn; hit the inside of bag 1 st /3 rd look for coach instruction at cone; head down to see base; look for coach again for instruction after rounding 2 nd ; coach wave them around or send them back to 2 nd 5:45 15 Team Throwing Progression (Baylor University) 1 Knee (Elbow in Glove) snap wrist x 5 1 Knee (Break & Throw) x 5 Standing (Break & Throw) x 5 Standing (Ready Throw) x 5 Standing (Shuffle Twice, Throw) x 5 Standing (shuffle Once, Throw) x 5 Rocket Relay Hand on top of the ball Scarecrow position after break Pull the glove to your heart C-Grip with 4 seams Arm at 90 degrees coming over top Release ball off fingertips Throw to glove side Individual Fundamentals: Position Defense 6:00 10 Group Infield Head Coach Partner Drills (3-5 each) o Knees (funnel) Roll ball to partner Receiver alligators and funnel ball into chest by pulling the hands to the heart, tucking chin to chest 2

Group Group o Knees (funnel & break) o Standing (funnel) o Standing (funnel & Break) o Change of Direction (slide right/left) o Active feet (step throwing foot then glove foot toward the ball) o Good hop (bounce ball waist high) o Back hand (throwing hand) o True backhand (glove foot) Outfield Assist Coach Four Corners Receiving o Beyond Right Shoulder o Beyond Left Shoulder o To the Right Thigh o To the Left Thigh Tennis ball (no glove) o Elimination game Tennis ball with glove o Elimination game Drop Steps (right & left) over shoulder o Elimination game Fly ball angels with cones (right, left, straight back) Ground ball (side-to-side) not moving Communication drill ball throw in gap between 2 players Catcher --Assist Coach Receiving Drills (framing) o Bare hand receiving drill with tennis ball x 5 o Receiving baseballs from short distance x 5 o Receiving baseballs from long distance x 5 Blocking Drills o Dry Run or Dummy Blocking: middle, right, left x 3 o Direction Drill: coach points direction x 3 o Blocking with Ball: hands behind back & knees on ground--(catcher can t move) x 3 o Blocking with Ball: glove & hands down (catcher can t move) o Half & Half (air/dirt) x 5 read & react Fielding Drills o 3 Ball Bunt (1B line, middle, 3B line) x 2 round the ball & throw to first o Pop up (drop step: left, straight, right from squat) x 2 o Tag @ Plate: [1] throw from right side catcher behind the plate [2] throw from left side catcher front of plate Staggered stance (glove foot in front) Catch ball out in front of you Elimination Game Players line up along the foul line Go up & down the line, throwing balls Have each player toss the ball back to you Next, throw ball to different players at random Elimination game in which those who catch the balls stay in and those who miss sit down Catcher ReceivingDrills Bare Hand Drill Coach is on 1 knee 15 ft away with a bucket & throws tennis balls to catcher. Player catches between the thumb & index finger then drops in a bucket at home plate Receiving baseballs with a glove Coach is on 1 knee 15 ft away with a bucket & throws baseballs to catcher. Player then drops them in a bucket at home plate Blocking Drills- Dry Run (dummy) on signal catcher drops into block position no ball is thrown Direction Drill- Coach points either right, left, or down. Catcher reacts. coach lines up 15 ft away at 45 degree angle to throw throwing hand side or glove side Team Defense 6:10 15 Team Corners Drill (Dual Fungo) 3 min each Criss Cross Drill: 6-3 & 4-5 Short Corner Drill: 6-5; 4-3 Corner Drill: 5-6; 3-4 Group 6:25 10 Group 1 6:35 10 Group 2 Situations: Air Tight D 5 min No runners on base Runner on first Runner on second Batting Practice (3 groups of 4 players) 3 Round #1: Criss Cross Drill: 6-3 & 4-5 SS fields rolled grounder, looks R back, throws to 1B. 2B fields rolled grounders & throws to 3B. Round #2: Short Corner Drill: 6-5; 4-3 SS plays deep, fields rolled grounders & throws to 3B 2B fields rolled grounders & throws to 1B. Round #3: Corner Drill: 5-6; 3-4 1B plays shallow, charges short grounders & tosses to 1 st base. 2B covers bag 3B plays shallow, charges short grounders & throws to third base with SS covering.

6:45 10 Group 3 6:55 5 Team Base Running Banana curve lean into the turn; hit the inside of bag Team Relay Race Chase the Rabbit 7:00 2 Team Conclusion: Review goals & objectives Progress made during the week Point out positives from the day Stack hands & Break-out Practice #1 WYLB ADVANCED Sample Practice Plan TIME MIN GROUP ACTIVITY COACHING POINTS 5:25 5 Team Pre-Practice Wall Ball Tuesday, March 16, 2013 Elimination game in which players throw the ball off a wall. If the next player in line fields the ball clean, he stays in and throws the ball off the wall for the next player to field. The players who miss sit down 5:30 15 Team Base Running 2 Line Baserunning Drill o Line 1: Home 1 st Throw Away 2 nd Home o Line 2: single thru infield turn shuffle back 1 st 3 rd 3 rd Tag up home 5:45 15 Team Long Toss Progression 2 min (45ft) 2 min (60ft) 2 min (75ft) 3 min (90ft) Rapid Fire (first to 10 catches) Individual Fundamentals: Position Defense 6:00 10 Group Infield Partner Drills (3-5 each) Head Coach o Knees (funnel) o Knees (funnel & break) o Standing (funnel) o Standing (funnel & Break) o Change of Direction (slide right/left) o Active feet (step throwing foot then glove foot toward the ball) o Good hop (bounce ball waist high) o Back hand (throwing hand) o True backhand (glove foot) o Short hop Group Outfield Assist Coach rolled GB straight at OF (no runners): [1] like infielder [2] 1 knee dummy GB footwork runners on base (mass group) crow hop rolled ground ball w/ runner crow hop rolled GB Angle drill: [1] right angle [2] left angle Drop step (straight back) turn glove side Drop steps Y Drill (right & left) over shoulder 3 Ball Drill (side/side) 4 H/1 st batter claps hands to simulate batting Touch front of bag; run through base 10 ft; glance right after crossing base for throw away Use cones for banana curve lean into the turn; hit the inside of bag 1 st /3 rd look for coach instruction at cone; head down to see base; look for coach again for instruction after rounding 2 nd ; coach wave them around or send them back to 2 nd Hand on top of the ball Scarecrow position after break Pull the glove to your heart C-Grip with 4 seams Arm at 90 degrees coming over top Release ball off fingertips Roll ball to partner Receiver alligators and funnel ball into chest by pulling the hands to the heart, tucking chin to chest Staggered stance (glove foot in front) Catch ball out in front of you 3 Ball Drill Catch 3 balls in a row going side to side from cones. Roll the ball to the side after the catch. Coach throws the fly balls. Line Drives Catch on the run left/right Shoe String Sprint at coach. Coach throws underhand toss at knees Double off the wall Round the ball & make throw to coach Hook Slide Drill Slide & catch ball on glove side

High/Low communication drill Pass patterns fade route Line drive (left/right) Low Line Drives Shoe String Catch Double off the wall (right/left) Hook slide drill Batted grounders Fly balls--batted tennis balls Group Catcher Blocking Drills Dry Run or Dummy Blocking: middle, right, left Direction Drill: coach points direction Blocking with Ball: hands behind back & knees on ground-- (catcher can t move) Blocking with Ball: glove & hands down (catcher can t move) Half & Half (air/dirt) x 5 read & react Fielding Drills Wild pitch Throws Dry/run receiving/transfer Footwork for throw to 1B, 2B, 3B Short throws 1B, 2B, 3B knees Short Throws 1B,2B, 3B receiving position pop & throw Full Length Throws 1B, 2B, 3B Team Defense 6:10 15 Point Loma: Multi-purpose Drill #1 P delivers pitch to catcher. F1 hits to 1B. P must cover 1 st base then step out of drill. C throws to 2B. M/F & puts down tag F2 rolls ball to simulate bunt to 3B. 3B throws to 1B. Point Loma: Multi-purpose Drill #2 P1 starts with a ball in his glove, throws a 2 strike curve ball in the dirt. C blocks the pitch and rifles the ball to 3B, simulating a runner from 2B stealing. 3B fires back to catcher. Catcher puts down tag and then flips the ball to F1. F1 hits a ground ball right side to 1B starting DP. 1B throws to SS covering second base. Pitcher rotates to cover first base. P1 steps off field out of the drill after receiving the throw. F1 hits a grounder anywhere in the field to start a DP. P2 steps to the mound to replace P1 rotating off the field. Blocking Drills- Dry Run (dummy) on signal catcher drops into block position no ball is thrown Direction Drill- Coach points either right, left, or down. Catcher reacts. coach lines up 15 ft away at 45 degree angle to throw throwing hand side or glove side MP #1 1B = Dan/Gray 2B = Jack SS = Ryan 3B = Garret C = Caden/Drew P = Peyton/Sam/Mason MP #2 P= Mason/Sam/Peyton 1B = Dan/Grey 2B = Jack SS = Ryan 3B =Garrett C = Caden/Drew Double Steal/1 st & 3 rd Defense: Plays 1, 2, 6 6:25 10 Group 1 Batting Practice 6:35 10 6:45 10 Group 2 Group 3 6:55 5 Team Base Running Team Relay Race Chase the Rabbit 7:00 2 Team Conclusion: Review Signals Bunt, Straight steal, Double steal, Take sign, Hit & run, Wipe off sign, Fake bunt and slash, Fake bunt slash hit & run Banana curve lean into the turn; hit the inside of bag Review goals & objectives Progress made during the week Point out positives from the day Stack hands & Break-out 5

I hope these drills help. If you have any questions about the drills, don t hesitate to call my cell phone 344-8867. Thanks, Brandon Anderson WYLB President 6