Cach's Manual Nrth Shre Girls Sftball League 2007
Divisin 6... 3 Psitining... 3 Thrwing... 3 Running Bases... 4 Hitting... 4 Fielding... 4 Fly balls... 5 Divisin 8 and 10... 7 Psitining... 7 Thrwing... 8 Hitting... 9 Running Bases... 10 Fielding... 11 Fly balls... 12 Divisin 12 and 14... 14 Psitining... 14 Thrwing... 15 Hitting... 17 Running Bases... 18 Fielding... 19 Fly balls... 20
Divisin 6 Psitining 1 st base - 1 t 2 feet t the right f 1 st base and 2 t 3 feet in frnt f 1 st base 2 nd base Half way between 1 st and 2 nd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path Shrtstp - Half way between 2 nd and 3rd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path 3 rd - t 2 feet t the left f 3rd base and 2 t 3 feet in frnt f 3rd base Left field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line Left center field - n the grass behind 2 nd base between shrtstp and 2 nd base Right Center - n the grass behind 2 nd base between 2 nd baseman and 2nd base Right field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line. Thrwing Prper thrwing technique Scarecrw, Arnld (muscle), Jackknife (rtate hip) and snap. Practice as drill. Scarecrw After fielding a ball, the player must first turn her bdy perpendicular t the target. During this transitin, the thrwing hand retrieves the ball frm the glve and grips the ball with the index and middle finger acrss the seams f the ball. The thumb will be under the ball directly n the stitching. The wrist is ccked back. Arnld (muscle) The arm cmes back as the weight f the player shifts t their back ft. The thrwing arm is flexed at the elbw. The player s frnt arm shuld be pinted at the target and the player shuld be lking at the target. Jackknife (rtate hip) The player rtates their hip the shulders turn t be parallel t the target. As the hip is rtated the player takes a step transferring their weight frm the back ft t the frnt ft. Snap The player snaps their wrist as they release the ball and fllw thrugh by bringing the back ft frward and landing in
ready psitin. The player s bdy shuld finish rughly parallel t the target. Instruct players t always make sure the player they are thrwing t is lking at them befre they thrw the ball. Snap Drill - Warm up n ne knee, tw partners facing ne anther, elbw bent with ther hand supprting thrwing hand, using just the wrist snap the ball t yur partner. Twel Drill Have player hld twel in their thrwing hand with their wrist ccked back. Have the player snap their wrist frward. Basketball Drill Have the player practice thrwing baskets with the sftball. Make sure that they snap their wrist when they sht. Running Bases Drp bat prir the running, d nt thrw bat. Practice as drill. Run thrugh 1st base and hme plate When running t 1st base the player must run in the running lane and tuch range base. Once stepping n 1 st base turn twards ful territry except when advancing t the next base. Stp n 2 nd and 3 rd base When running frm 1 st base t 2 nd base, 2 nd base t 3 rd base and 3 rd base t hme the player must run in the base path. Hitting Prper technique -Hld bat with fingers, line up knuckles, feet shulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Psitin bat as if talking n the telephne. When swinging mve hands directly at the ball. Rtate back hip twards pitcher. Always hit ball in frnt f plate. Psitin tee in frnt f plate r place hitter in back f bx s the frnt ft is even with the back f the tee and the barrel f the bat is in the middle f the tee when the arms are extended. When thrwing batting practice with wiffle balls and pitching in games try t thrw balls at a speed fast enugh fr the ball crsses the plate level with the grund. Tee Drill Have player hld bat behind their back with bth arms. Set up tee in line with the layer s belly buttn. The player rtates their hip and back ft hitting the ball ff the tee. Fielding Field balls abve the waste with the fingers f the glve facing up, the thrwing hand next t the glve and thumbs tgether.
Field balls belw the waste starting with the glve n the grund and the finger f the glve facing away frm the player. Thrwing hand next t the glve with pinkies tgether. Triangle Drill - With the player s feet shulder width apart draw a triangle with the pint 1 ft in frnt f the player and have player with the pcket pen place glve dwn n grund. Rll balls t player, having player practice field ball in frnt f them and starting with their glve n the grund and mving it up when the ball bunces up. Start rlling balls straight t player and then nce they understand the prper technique rll balls side t side. Crss fire Drill - Have half the players line n the 3 rd base ful line half way between 3 rd and hme. Have the half f the players line up half way between 2nd and secnd. Have a cach next t each line. Have the caches rll a ball the player in the frnt f the line ppsite them. After fielding the ball the player hands the ball t the cach next t them. Attack drill Line up players n the infield in a single file line. Draw a line 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the first player in line. Rll the ball the player. The player attempts t field the ball in frnt f the line. Fly balls T catch a fly ball, the player shuld psitin the glve accrding t the flight f the ball. If the ball is belw the waist, the fingers and the palm f the glve hand shuld be pinted dwn with the mitt fully pen. If the ball is chest high, the fingers and the palm f the glve shuld be pinting ut, with the thumbs pinting t the sky. If the ball is abve the chest, the fingers pint tward the sky. In all catching attempts, a player shuld: Keep eyes n the ball Have bth hands ready, with arms relaxed and extended twards the ball Bend the elbws t absrb the frce f the thrw Watch the ball int the glve and squeeze it. After the catch, the player shuld immediately grip the ball with the thrwing hand in the crrect verhand thrwing technique. Fam balls will be prvided Drill Using the fam balls practice thrwing fly balls t the players. Start with shrt distances and thrw t the side f the player until the player is cmfrtable catching. Players can als thrw balls t themselves. Wide Receiver Drill Each player has a ball. The players line up abut 10 ft frm the cach. The player at the frnt f the line thrws their ball t
the cach and starts running diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws the ball in the directin the player is running.
Divisin 8 and 10 Psitining 1 st base - 1 t 2 feet t the right f 1 st base and 2 t 3 feet in frnt f 1 st base 2 nd base Half way between 1 st and 2 nd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path Shrtstp - Half way between 2 nd and 3rd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path 3 rd - 1 t 2 feet t the left f 3rd base and 2 t 3 feet in frnt f 3rd base Left field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line Left center field - n the grass behind 2 nd base between shrtstp and 2 nd base Right Center - n the grass behind 2 nd base between 2 nd baseman and 2nd base Right field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line. Every play every player has a jb t d. The 3 B s f sftball are ball, base and backup. The player s first pririty is t field the ball. Secnd pririty is backup the ball hit in there directin. The infielders third pririty is t cver the base, while the utfield s third pririty is t backup the thrw. Backing up Right fielder backups balls hit t 1 st and 2 nd and thrws t 1 st base and frm left field t 2 nd base Left fielder backups balls hit t 3 rd and shrtstp and thrws t 3 rd base and frm right field t 2 nd base Left center backs up balls hit t 3 rd and shrtstp and thrws t 2 nd frm 1 st and 2 nd baseman. Right center backs up balls hit t 1 st and 2 nd and thrw t 2 nd base frm 3 rd and shrtstp. Pitcher backs up thrws frm center field t 2 nd base 2 nd baseman takes cut-ff frm right field and right center; shrtstp takes cut-ff frm left field and left center Bunt cverage Runner at first 1 st and 3 rd basemen charge 2 nd baseman cvers 1 st base Shrtstp cvers 2 nd base Left fielder cvers 3 rd base Runner at first and secnd
1 st and 3 rd basemen charge 2 nd baseman cvers 1 st base Shrtstp cvers 3 rd base Center fielder cvers 2nd base Stealing Shrtstp r left-center fielder cvers 2nd when base runner is stealing 2nd base 3rd baseman cvers 3rd when base runner is stealing 3rd base except n a bunt. Shrtstp cvers 3 rd fr steal n bunt if there is a runner at 2 nd ; centerfielder cvers 2 nd. Thrwing Prper thrwing technique Scarecrw, Arnld (muscle), Jackknife (rtate hip) and snap. Practice as drill. Scarecrw After fielding a ball, the player must first turn her bdy perpendicular t the target. During this transitin, the thrwing hand retrieves the ball frm the glve and grips the ball with the index and middle finger acrss the seams f the ball. The thumb will be under the ball directly n the stitching. The wrist is ccked back. Arnld (muscle) The arm cmes back as the weight f the player shifts t their back ft. The thrwing arm is flexed at the elbw. The player s frnt arm shuld be pinted at the target and the player shuld be lking at the target. Jackknife (rtate hip) The player rtates their hip the shulders turn t be parallel t the target. As the hip is rtated the player takes a step transferring their weight frm the back ft t the frnt ft. Snap The player snaps their wrist as they release the ball and fllw thrugh by bringing the back ft frward and landing in ready psitin. The player s bdy shuld finish rughly parallel t the target. Instruct players t always make sure the player they are thrwing t is lking at them befre they thrw the ball. All thrws frm the utfield are thrwn t secnd base. Keep thrws frm utfield lw r 1 hp t base. Snap Drill - Warm up n ne knee, tw partners facing ne anther, elbw bent with ther hand supprting thrwing hand, using just the wrist snap the ball t yur partner Relay Drill 3 r 4 man relay Line up girls in line 15 t 20 feet apart. 1 st girl has ball and thrws the ball the 2 nd girl, 2 nd girl pivts and thrws ball
the 3 rd girl, etc. The girl receiving the ball has bth hands up and calls fr the ball. The girl thrwing the ball shuld aim shulder high and fr the girl s thrwing hand. Bucket Drill - At the end f practice is the best time t d this drill. Place a large cntainer n its side (a 30-galln trash can is perfect but a ball bucket will wrk) at hme plate with the pen end facing centerfield. Have fielders line up in centerfield (age f players are a factr in hw deep yu g t centerfield). Players shuld be lined up t receive a hit ball. The first player fields an utfield hit frm the cach and attempts t thrw the ball n target and ne-hp it int the bucket. After her 1st attempt she ges t the end f the line and next player tries. Star Drill The catcher thrws the ball t the shrtstp, the shrtstp thrws the ball t 1 st base, the 1 st baseman thrws the ball t 3 rd, the 3 rd baseman thrws the ball t the 2 nd baseman, the 2 nd baseman thrws the ball hme. Outfield Thrwing Drill Line players acrss the utfield. Hit ball t player in right field. The player fields the ball and thrws 2 nd base. Hit the next ball t right center, then left center and then left field. Each time the player thrws the ball t 2 nd base. Once each player has fielded the ball and thrwn it t 2 nd base they rtate t the psitin t their left. The right fielder mves t left field. Try t keep them mving by hitting the next ball as the ther player is making the thrw. Arund the Hrn Drill The catcher thrws the ball t 1 st base, 1 st baseman thrws t the shrtstp cvering 2 nd base, shrtstp thrws t 3 rd base, and 3rd baseman thrws hme. Run the drill in the ppsite directin. When running the drill in the ppsite directin the 2 nd baseman cvers 2 nd base. Shuffle Tss Drill Set up a ball 1 ft in frnt f the player. Have player bend their knee t pick up and tss the ball under hand t anther player. The player shuld nt stand up when tssing the ball under hand. Hitting Prper technique -Hld bat with fingers, line up knuckles, feet shulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Psitin bat as if talking n the telephne. When swinging the hands mve directly t the ball. Rtate back hip twards pitcher. The eyes shuld track the ball frm the pitcher s hip t the plate. See the ball, hit the ball. Always hit ball in frnt f plate. Bunting technique Feet remain n grund and feet and hips turn t face pitcher;
Frnt hand remains n bat while backhand slides up bat. Backhand makes C with thumb and index finger and is places behind the barrel f the bat. Ball is cntacted sftly. Player is trying t catch ball with bat. Frnt ft shuld be slightly in frnt f hme plate. Sft tss Tssing the ball up and having the player hit int a net. Befre tss the ball, have the player extend their hands t the cntact pint (arms extended ut in frnt f them). Line yurself up s that yu can thrw the ball straight up at the cntact pint. D nt thrw the ball int the player. D nt hit hard balls int the fence. Yu may hit wiffle balls int the fence. Hitting stick Hld the stick at the cntact pint. When thrwing batting practice with wiffle balls and pitching in games try t thrw balls at a speed fast enugh fr the ball crsses the plate level with the grund. Tee Drills Have player hld bat behind their back with bth arms. Set up tee in line with the layer s belly buttn. The player rtates their hip and back ft hitting the ball ff the tee. The purpse f this drill is fr the player t practice rtating their back ft and hip. The player is n ne knee and hlds the bat with the frnt hand. The player practices hitting the ball with the knb f the barrel. Then having the player use their backhand and finally have the player use tw hands and hit the ball with the barrel f the bat. The purpse f this drill is t teach the player t mve their hands directly t the ball and t wait t extend their arms until their hands are in frnt f them. Running Bases Run thrugh 1st base and hme plate When running t 1st base the player must run in the running lane and tuch range base. Once stepping n 1 st base turn twards ful territry except when advancing t the next base. If there is n running lane the player shuld run n the utside the ful line. Stp n 2 nd and 3 rd base When running frm 1 st base t 2 nd base, 2 nd base t 3 rd base and 3 rd base t hme the player must run in the base path. Lead ff nce the ball leaves the pitcher s hand taking 3 t 4 large steps. Once ball is returned t pitcher return t base. Runner(s) must return t bag r try t advance nce the pitcher has cntrl f the ball. (Circle vilatin) Stealing Runners may steal 2 nd r 3 rd, nly 1 base at a time, must stp n the base.
Banana Turn Drill Set up cne r have cach stand 4 t 5 feet in frnt f 1 st base and 1 t 2 feet utside the ful line. Instruct player t run dwn the running lane and arund the cne r cach. Sliding Drills Circling the wagn Girls frm large circle walk arund in circle then the cach yell dwn, the players put ut ne leg and drp t grund. The drill is repeated with the girls speeding up each time until they are jgging. Under the bat Have 2 peple hld a bat at waste level. Have the player slide under the bat. While the player is sliding under the bat they reach up and grab the bat. Running Drill Have half the team line up at hme and half the team line up at 2 nd base. The 1 st girl in each line sprints rund the bases until they reach the base they started at the next girl starts running nce the girl 1 st girl tags her hand. Cntinue until each girl has run. The team that finishes first in the winner. Fielding Shrtstp, 1st and 3rd basemen straddle base when taking a thrw frm the catcher and n tag plays. When the ball is thrwn frm the catcher, the player receiving the thrw shuld let the ball cme t them and nly leave the bag t get the ball if the thrw is ff line. Infield fly rule is in effect fr divisin 10. Triangle Drill - With the player s feet shulder width apart draw a triangle with the pint 1 ft in frnt f the player and have player with the pcket pen place glve dwn n grund. Rll balls t player, having player practice field ball in frnt f them and starting with their glve n the grund and mving it up when the ball bunces up. After the player fields the ball the player brings the bth hands up t their waste and then back int thrwing psitin. Start rlling balls straight t player and then nce they understand the prper technique rll balls side t side. Using either the crss ver step r sliding t the slide. Practice having the player turn ver their glve fr balls crsses their bdy. Make sure that the player brings bth hands tgether and t their waste befre getting int thrwing psitin. Crss Fire Drill Have half the players line n the 3 rd base ful line half way between 3 rd and hme. Have the half f the players line up half way between 2nd and secnd. Have a cach next t each line. Have the caches hit a ball the player in the frnt f the line ppsite them. After fielding the ball the player hands the ball t the cach next t them. Mre
advanced players can thrw the ball t a catcher lcated next t the cach n the ppsite side. 3,2,1, Run Drill Set up 3 balls alng the 3 rd base line abut 10 feet frm 3 rd base and 3 t 4 feet apart. Have half the players at 3 rd base and half at hme plate. When the cach says G, the player at hme starts running t first and cntinues t secnd base. The first player in line at third base runs t the first ball and thrws the ball t 2 nd base, then cntinues t the next ball and thrws it t 2 nd base and then des the same with the 3 rd ball. The bject f the drill is fr the player t field and thrw all 3 balls befre the player running reaches 2 nd base. Grund Ball, Pp up, Grund Ball Drill Players starting at 3 rd base. Hit the first player in line a grund ball t their left. The player fields the ball and thrws it hme. Once the ball is thrwn, the player runs twards 2 nd base and yu thrw a pp up near 2 nd base. The player catches the ball and thrws it hme. Then the player runs twards shrtstp and a grund ball is a grund ball t shrtstp. Range Drill 2 cnes are set up abut 5 feet apart. The cach stands in the middle 5 feet frm the cnes. The player is standing next t the cach. The cach rlls a ball t the utside f ne f the cnes. The player runs arund the cne and tries t field the ball. Quick Hands Drill The player and cach stand 3 t fr 4 away frm each ther. The cach thrws the ball t the side f the player. The player tries t tuch the ball with their hand. The cach shuld begin thrwing the ball within easy arms reach f the player and prgressively thrw the ball further and further away until the player is diving t tuch the ball. Fly balls T catch a fly ball, the player shuld psitin the glve accrding t the flight f the ball. If the ball is belw the waist, the fingers and the palm f the glve hand shuld be pinted dwn with the mitt fully pen. If the ball is chest high, the fingers and the palm f the glve shuld be pinting ut, with the thumbs pinting t the sky. If the ball is abve the chest, the fingers pint tward the sky. In all catching attempts, a player shuld: Keep eyes n the ball Have bth hands ready, with arms relaxed and extended twards the ball Bend the elbws t absrb the frce f the thrw Watch the ball int the glve and squeeze it. After the catch, the player shuld immediately grip the ball with the thrwing hand in the crrect verhand thrwing technique. Wide Receiver Drill Each player has a ball. The players line up abut 10 ft frm the cach. The player at the frnt f the line thrws their ball t
the cach and starts running diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws the ball in the directin the player is running. Over the Head Drill Have the player face their back t the cach. The player begins running. Once the player has taken 5 t 8 steps, the cach tsses a pp up and tells the player when t turn arund. The player turns arund, lcates the ball and attempts t catch it. Drp Step Drill The player lines up facing the cach. When the cach says, G, the player turns t their left and runs diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws a ball in the directin the player is running 1 t 2 steps beynd them. The player attempt t catch the ball and thrw it back t the cach. Then the player turns t their right and runs diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws a ball in the directin the player is running 1 t 2 steps beynd them. The player attempt t catch the ball and thrw it back t the cach. Repeat each directin ne mre time.
Divisin 12 and 14 Psitining 1 st base - 1 t 2 feet away frm 1 st base 2 nd base Half way between 1 st and 2 nd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path Shrtstp - Half way between 2 nd and 3rd base, 2 t 3 feet in frnt f the base path 3 rd - 1 t 2 feet away frm 3rd base Left field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line Left center field - n the grass behind 2 nd base between shrtstp and 2 nd base Right Center - n the grass behind 2 nd base between 2 nd baseman and 2nd base Right field n the grass behind infield between n the grass ff ful line. Every play every player has a jb t d. The 3 B s f sftball are ball, base and backup. The player s first pririty is t field the ball. Secnd pririty is backup the ball hit in there directin. The infielders third pririty is t cver the base, while the utfield s third pririty is t backup the thrw. Backing up Right fielder backups balls hit t 1 st and 2 nd and thrws t 1 st base and frm left field t 2 nd base Left fielder backups balls hit t 3 rd and shrtstp and thrws t 3 rd base and frm right field t 2 nd base Left center backs up balls hit t 3 rd and shrtstp and thrws t 2 nd frm 1 st and 2 nd baseman. Right center backs up balls hit t 1 st and 2 nd and thrw t 2 nd base frm 3 rd and shrtstp. Pitcher backs up thrws frm center field t 2 nd base 2 nd baseman takes cut-ff frm right field and right center; shrtstp takes cut-ff frm left field and left center Bunt cverage 1 st and 3 rd basemen charge 2 nd baseman cvers 1 st base Shrtstp cvers 2 nd base Left fielder cvers 3 rd base Stealing Shrtstp cvers 2nd when base runner is stealing 2nd base 3rd baseman cvers 3rd when base runner is stealing 3rd base except n a bunt. Shrtstp cvers 3 rd fr steal n bunt if there is a runner at 2 nd ; centerfielder cvers 2 nd.
If there is a runner at 3 rd base the pitcher cvers hme plate n pass ball r wild pitch Thrwing Prper thrwing technique Scarecrw, Arnld (muscle), Jackknife (rtate hip) and snap. Practice as drill. Scarecrw After fielding a ball, the player must first turn her bdy perpendicular t the target. During this transitin, the thrwing hand retrieves the ball frm the glve and grips the ball with the index and middle finger acrss the seams f the ball. The thumb will be under the ball directly n the stitching. The wrist is ccked back. Arnld (muscle) The arm cmes back as the weight f the player shifts t their back ft. The thrwing arm is flexed at the elbw. The player s frnt arm shuld be pinted at the target and the player shuld be lking at the target. Jackknife (rtate hip) The player rtates their hip the shulders turn t be parallel t the target. As the hip is rtated the player takes a step transferring their weight frm the back ft t the frnt ft. Snap The player snaps their wrist as they release the ball and fllw thrugh by bringing the back ft frward and landing in ready psitin. The player s bdy shuld finish rughly parallel t the target. Instruct players t always make sure the player they are thrwing t is lking at them befre they thrw the ball. All thrws frm the utfield are thrwn t secnd base Crw hp when thrwing frm utfield Keep thrws frm utfield lw r 1 hp t base. Snap Drill - Warm up n ne knee, tw partners facing ne anther, elbw bent with ther hand supprting thrwing hand, using just the wrist snap the ball t yur partner Relay Drill 3 r 4 man relay Line up girls in line 15 t 20 feet apart. 1 st girl has ball and thrws the ball the 2 nd girl, 2 nd girl pivts and thrws ball the 3 rd girl, etc. The girl receiving the ball has bth hands up and calls fr the ball. The girl thrwing the ball shuld aim shulder high and fr the girl s thrwing hand. Bucket Drill - At the end f practice is the best time t d this drill. Place a large cntainer n its side (a 30-galln trash can is perfect but a ball bucket will wrk) at hme plate with the pen end facing centerfield. Have fielders line up in centerfield (age f players are a factr in hw deep yu
g t centerfield). Players shuld be lined up t receive a hit ball. The first player fields an utfield hit frm the cach and attempts t thrw the ball n target and ne-hp it int the bucket. After her 1st attempt she ges t the end f the line and next player tries. Star Drill The catcher thrws the ball t the shrtstp, the shrtstp thrws the ball t 1 st base, the 1 st baseman thrws the ball t 3 rd, the 3 rd baseman thrws the ball t the 2 nd baseman, the 2 nd baseman thrws the ball hme. Extended Star Drill The catcher thrws the ball t the left field, the left fielder thrws the ball t 1 st base, the 1 st baseman thrws the ball t 3 rd, the 3 rd baseman thrws the ball t the 2 nd baseman, the 2 nd baseman thrws the ball hme. ball t 2 nd base. Once each player has fielded the ball and thrwn it t 2 nd base they rtate t the psitin t their left. The right fielder mves t left field. Try t keep them mving by hitting the next ball as the ther player is making the thrw. Outfield Thrwing Drill Line players acrss the utfield. Hit ball t player in right field. The player fields the ball and thrws 2 nd base. Hit the next ball t right center, then left center and then left field. Each time the player thrws the Arund the Hrn Drill The catcher thrws the ball t 1 st base, 1 st baseman thrws t the shrtstp cvering 2 nd base, shrtstp thrws t 3 rd base, 3 rd baseman thrws hme. Run the drill in the ppsite directin. When running the drill in the ppsite directin the 2 nd baseman cvers 2 nd base. Shuffle Tss Drill Set up a ball 1 ft in frnt f the player. Have player bend their knee t pick up and tss the ball under hand t anther player. The player shuld nt stand up when tssing the ball under hand. Speed Thrwing Drill Have half the players line up at 2 nd base and the ther half f the players line up n 1 st base. The player at the frnt f the line at 1 st thrws the ball t the player in the frnt f the line at 2nd base and then fllws their thrw t 2 nd base. The player at 2 nd thrws the ball back t 1 st base and fllws their thrw t 1 st base. The drill cntinues until at least each player has caught the ball and thrwn the ball at each base. Shuffle Tss, Flips and Feed Drill Cach rlls the ball t the left f the 2 nd baseman. The 2 nd baseman plants and thrws the ball t the shrtstp cvering 2 nd base. The cach rlls the ball t the 2 nd baseman. The 2 nd baseman thrws the ball t shrtstp cvering 2 nd base using a ¾ thrw (turning and thrwing the ball withut taking a step r straightening cmpletely). The cach rlls the ball the right f the 2 nd baseman. The 2 nd baseman thrws the ball shrtstp cvering 2 nd base using a backhand flip r shuffle tss. Have the shrtstp return t their psitin each time s they can wrks n cvering 2 nd base and ftwrk fr the duble play. Switch and rll ball t Shrtstp with 2 nd baseman cvering 2 nd base.
Hitting Prper technique -Hld bat with fingers, line up knuckles, feet shulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Psitin bat as if talking n the telephne. When swinging the hands mve directly t the ball. Rtate back hip twards pitcher. The eyes shuld track the ball frm the pitcher s hip t the plate. See the ball, hit the ball. Always hit ball in frnt f plate. Bunting technique Feet remain n grund and feet and hips turn t face pitcher; Frnt hand remains n bat while backhand slides up bat. Backhand makes C with thumb and index finger and is places behind the barrel f the bat. Ball is cntacted sftly. Player is trying t catch ball with bat. Frnt ft shuld be slightly in frnt f hme plate. Sft tss Tssing the ball up and having the player hit int a net. Befre tss the ball, have the player extend their hands t the cntact pint (arms extended ut in frnt f them). Line yurself up s that yu can thrw the ball straight up at the cntact pint. D nt thrw the ball int the player. D nt hit hard balls int the fence. Yu may hit wiffle balls int the fence. Hitting stick Hld the stick at the cntact pint. When thrwing batting practice with wiffle balls and pitching in games try t thrw balls at a speed fast enugh fr the ball crsses the plate level with the grund. Drag bunting technique - Batter starts mving tward the pitcher as the pitch is delivered by crssing the rear ft in frnt f the frnt ft. Hips and shulder pen tward the pitcher. As the bat is drpped int the strike zne, the backhand slides up the bat. Cntact is made deep in the strike zne. Slap hitting technique Batter starts mving tward the pitcher as the pitch is delivered by crssing the rear ft in frnt f the frnt ft. Hips pen tward the pitcher and the shulder remains clsed. The hands are held high and clse t the bdy. The hands cme frward with the crssver step. Thrw knb f bat inside path f the ball (inside ut swing). The head f the bat remains back tward the catcher. Cntact is made deep in the strike zne. A slw, easy swing, slightly dwnward. Runner may run n drp third strike when 1 st base is unccupied r there are 2 uts. Tee Drills
Have player hld bat behind their back with bth arms. Set up tee in line with the layer s belly buttn. The player rtates their hip and back ft hitting the ball ff the tee. The purpse f this drill is fr the player t practice rtating their back ft and hip. The player is n ne knee and hlds the bat with the frnt hand. The player practices hitting the ball with the knb f the barrel. Then having the player use their backhand and finally have the player use tw hands and hit the ball with the barrel f the bat. The purpse f this drill is t teach the player t mve their hands directly t the ball and t wait t extend their arms until their hands are in frnt f them. Running Bases Run thrugh 1st base and hme plate When running t 1st base the player must run in the running lane and tuch range base. Once stepping n 1 st base turn twards ful territry except when advancing t the next base. If there is n running lane the player shuld run n the utside the ful line. Stp n 2 nd and 3 rd base When running frm 1 st base t 2 nd base, 2 nd base t 3 rd base and 3 rd base t hme the player must run in the base path. Lead ff nce the ball leaves the pitcher s hand taking 3 t 4 large steps. Once ball is returned t pitcher return t base. Runner(s) must return t bag r try t advance nce the pitcher has cntrl f the ball. (Circle vilatin) Stealing Runners may steal 2 nd r 3 rd, nly 1 base at a time, must stp n the base. When a batter walks with a runner at 3 rd base have the batter cntinue t 2 nd base. The batter must nt stp at 1 st base. Runners shuld be prepared t take additinal base n verthrws Teach players t head first dive back t the bag when they are leading ff and a thrw is made t attempt t pick them ff. Picking up cach at third base cach nce the player has btained 1 st base. Five types f slides Straight slide the base runner tuck ne ft under their ther leg, drps their bdy t the grund and skids t int the base Pp up slide - a slide in which a base runner rises t his feet immediately after tuching the base; used in situatins when a runner may try t advance anther base. Slide by slide - a slide made by skidding past a base and tuching the base with the hand r arm.
Hk slide - a slide made by bending ne leg under the bdy, sliding past the base and tuching it with the ft f the bent leg Head first slide - the base runner plunges frward with arms stretched ut and skid twards a base in rder t avid a tag Sliding Drills Circling the wagn Girls frm large circle walk arund in circle then the cach yell dwn, the players put ut ne leg and drp t grund. The drill is repeated with the girls speeding up each time until they are jgging. Under the bat Have 2 peple hld a bat at waste level. Have the player slide under the bat. While the player is sliding under the bat they reach up and grab the bat. Banana Turn Drill Set up cne r have cach stand 4 t 5 feet in frnt f 1 st base and 1 t 2 feet utside the ful line. Instruct player t run dwn the running lane and arund the cne r cach. Running Drill Have half the team line up at hme and half the team line up at 2 nd base. The 1 st girl in each line sprints rund the bases until they reach the base they started at the next girl starts running nce the girl 1 st girl tags her hand. Cntinue until each girl has run. The team that finishes first in the winner. Fielding Shrtstp, 1st and 3rd basemen straddle base when taking a thrw frm the catcher and n tag plays. When the ball is thrwn frm the catcher, the player receiving the thrw shuld let the ball cme t them and nly leave the bag t get the ball if the thrw is ff line. Infield fly rule is in effect fr divisin 12 and 14. Teach catcher and pitcher t psitin themselves 1 ft up the base path when cvering hme plate Wrk with catcher blcking balls and balls ff the backstp. On a pas Passed Ball Drill Pitcher thrws ball past the catcher. The catcher hustles t the ball and thrws back t the pitcher cvering hme. Triangle Drill - With the player s feet shulder width apart draw a triangle with the pint 1ft in frnt f the player and have player with the pcket pen place glve dwn n grund. Rll balls t player, having player practice field ball in frnt f them and starting with their glve n the grund and mving it up when the ball bunces up. After the player fields the ball the player brings the bth hands up t their waste and then back
int thrwing psitin. Start rlling balls straight t player and then nce they understand the prper technique rll balls side t side. Using either the crss ver step r sliding t the slide. Practice having the players turn ver their glves fr balls crsses their bdy. Make sure that the player brings bth hands tgether and t their waste befre getting int thrwing psitin. Crss Fire Drill Have half the players line n the 3 rd base ful line half way between 3 rd and hme. Have the half f the players line up half way between 2nd and secnd. Have a cach next t each line. Have the caches hit a ball the player in the frnt f the line ppsite them. After fielding the ball the player hands the ball t the cach next t them. Mre advanced players can thrw the ball t a catcher lcated next t the cach n the ppsite side. 3,2,1, Run Drill Set up 3 balls alng the 3 rd base line abut 10 feet frm 3 rd base and 3 t 4 feet apart. Have half the players at 3 rd base and half at hme plate. When the cach says G, the player at hme starts running t first and cntinues t secnd base. The first player in line at third base runs t the first ball and thrws the ball t 2 nd base, then cntinues t the next ball and thrws it t 2 nd base and then des the same with the 3 rd ball. The bject f the drill is fr the player t field and thrw all 3 balls befre the player running reaches 2 nd base. Grund Ball, Pp up, Grund Ball Drill Players starting at 3 rd base. Hit the first player in line a grund ball t their left. The player fields the ball and thrws it hme. Once the ball is thrwn, the player runs twards 2 nd base and yu thrw a pp up near 2 nd base. The player catches the ball and thrws it hme. Then the player runs twards shrtstp and a grund ball is a grund ball t shrtstp. Range Drill 2 cnes are set up abut 5 feet apart. The cach stands in the middle 5 feet frm the cnes. The player is standing next t the cach. The cach rlls a ball t the utside f ne f the cnes. The player runs arund the cne and tries t field the ball. Quick Hands Drill The player and cach stand 3 t fr 4 away frm each ther. The cach thrws the ball t the side f the player. The player tries t tuch the ball with their hand. The cach shuld begin thrwing the ball within easy arms reach f the player and prgressively thrw the ball further and further away until the player is diving t tuch the ball. Fly balls T catch a fly ball, the player shuld psitin the glve accrding t the flight f the ball. If the ball is belw the waist, the fingers and the palm f the glve hand shuld be pinted dwn with the mitt fully pen. If the ball is chest high, the fingers and the palm f the glve shuld be pinting ut,
with the thumbs pinting t the sky. If the ball is abve the chest, the fingers pint tward the sky. In all catching attempts, a player shuld : Keep eyes n the ball Have bth hands ready, with arms relaxed and extended twards the ball Bend the elbws t absrb the frce f the thrw Watch the ball int the glve and squeeze it. After the catch, the player shuld immediately grip the ball with the thrwing hand in the crrect verhand thrwing technique. Ging back n balls turn feet away frm plate keeping upper trs and eyes facing plate. Wide Receiver Drill Each player has a ball. The players line up abut 10 ft frm the cach. The player at the frnt f the line thrws their ball t the cach and starts running diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws the ball in the directin the player is running. Over the Head Drill Have the player face their back t the cach. The player begins running. Once the player has taken 5 t 8 steps, the cach tsses a pp up and tells the player when t turn arund. The player turns arund, lcates the ball and attempts t catch it. Drp Step Drill The player lines up facing the cach. When the cach says, G, the player turns t their left and runs diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws a ball in the directin the player is running 1 t 2 steps beynd them. The player attempt t catch the ball and thrw it back t the cach. Then the player turns t their right and runs diagnally away frm the cach. The cach thrws a ball in the directin the player is running 1 t 2 steps beynd them. The player attempt t catch the ball and thrw it back t the cach. Repeat each directin ne mre time. Over the Shulder Drill - start with player facing cach; have player start running away frm cach keeping eyes and trs facing cach. Cach thrws ball directly ver the player s head 2 t 4 feet past the player