- Your Personalized Practice Plan
Thanks for joining Baseball Tutorials! Below you'll find a step by step practice plan designed for your team's age and experience level. If you'd like the printable version of this plan (along with the complete set of 71 drills and 11 practice plans in PDF format) check out the Youth Baseball Success System.
Recommended Time
60-90 Minutes
Equipment
Baseballs, bats, helmets, gloves, batting tees, bases
People
Two coaches or parent helpers. Eight to 15 players.
Baserunning Warmup (5-10 minutes)
- Players line up at home plate. One coach or parent helper stands at each base to provide assistance.
- Coaches will send players through a baserunning circuit one at a time, allowing a 4-5 seconds of space between each player.
- 1st CIRCUIT: On the coach’s signal, the runner sprints to first, touching the bag and running through it. He then takes a crossover step and runs first to third, then jogs to home plate to join the back of the line.
- 2nd CIRCUIT: On the coach’s signal, the runner sprints to second for a double. He will pause briefly at the bag, then sprint from second to home.
- 3rd CIRCUIT: The runner will sprint around all four bases for a home run
- Get more variations and coaching tips here
Fielding Stations (20-30 minutes)
Set up two drill stations managed by a coach. Split your team into two groups and place one group at each station. Run both drills simultaneously for 10-15 minutes, then rotate stations.
Station #1: Back of the Glove Drill
- Group your players into pairs and set them up, facing each other, around 10-15 feet apart.
- Both players are wearing their gloves. One player in each pair has the ball.
- Each pair will toss the ball back and forth, catching it by trapping the ball between the back of the glove and the throwing hand.
- Use the back of the glove to cushion the impact, while securing the ball with the throwing hand at the same time.
- Try to trap the ball out in front of the body, which will allow you space to bring the hands toward the midsection to cushion the ball's impact
Station #2: Barehand Catch Drill
- Group your players into pairs and set them up, facing each other, around 10-15 feet apart.
- One player in each pair has the ball. You do not need gloves for this drill.
- Each pair will toss the ball back and forth, catching it barehanded using the hand the glove is normally on.
- The object is to catch the ball without actually closing the fingers around it. Instead, practice cradling the ball and cushion its impact with the hand and fingers, but avoid the urge to squeeze the fingers to secure it.
- After 5 consecutive catches each player should take a step back. Continue moving back until a ball is missed, then take one step forward and begin the count again.
- Once they master this drill, you can move to a more advanced fielding progression, including the Read the Hop Drill, Fielder Agility Drill and Scolinas Drill.
Hitting Stations (20-30 minutes)
Set up two drill stations managed by a coach. Split your team into two groups and place one group at each station. Run both drills simultaneously for 10-15 minutes, then rotate stations.
Station #1: Tee Drill
- You'll need a bucket of whiffle balls, a home plate, and a tee, and an open space or net to hit into. The hitter will set up over the plate in his normal stance. The other players will shag balls.
- Take 5-10 swings with the ball in the middle of the plate, trying to hit the ball up the middle
- Take 5-10 swings with the ball in the front-inside of the plate, trying to pull the ball
- Take 5-10 swings with the ball in the back-outside of the plate, trying to go opposite field
- Make sure the hitter separates the stride and swing. This will allow them to sit back on off-speed pitches without committing early.
- The batting tee is one of the best tools for developing swing mechanics and is great for hitters of all ages. For more batting tee drills, click here.
Station #2: Pepper Drill
- With a group of 4 players, set up one hitter approximately 20 feet away from 3 fielders in ready position. One of the fielders has the ball, while the batter assumes his normal stance
- The fielders form a line facing the batter with around 5 feet of space between them. One end of the line is the "front" and the other end is the "back."
- One of the fielders throws the ball to the batter, who attempts to hit grounders to the fielders standing in the line.
- When a fielder cleanly plays the ball, he throws it back to the batter, who tries to hit the ball again to the fielders.
- Players earn points based on the type of hit and type of fielding play. For a more detailed explanation, download Youth Baseball Success System
Live Situations (15-20 minutes)
- If you have time remaining, use it to review live game situations.
- Have a player at each defensive position, and one or more baserunners. Coach is at the plate with the bat.
- Before each hit, explain the situation - score, inning, number of outs. Remind fielders where to play the ball
- Hit the ball to different locations, with the players reacting and playing like a live game
- After each hit, review what was done correctly or incorrectly
- Rotate fielders into the baserunning positions to give everyone a chance
All these drills and dozens more are included inside the Youth Baseball Success System. You can download the entire collection today... complete with step by step instructions, diagrams, coaching tips and variations for teams at every level.
Click here to get instant access to everything and start using these drills today!
- 71 game-tested drills to rapidly improve your youth baseball team
- Engage your players in practice. Develop their skills. Win more games - starting today!
- Includes fundamental drills for hitting, baserunning, pitching, position drills, game situation defense, infield and outfield
- Plus, 11 pre-designed baseball practice plans
- Designed for ages 6-14 (recreational or competitive)