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Rapid Fire Equipment
Needed: 2 baseballs/softballs and 8 players with gloves. DRILL SET UP: Put 7 players in a straight line approximately 3 to 4 feet apart with the player at the far right holding a baseball. Put 1 player facing the line of 7 approximately 15 feet away from the center player in the line of 7. The player facing the line of 7 also has a baseball.
X8 X7 X6 X5 X4 X3 X2
X1
Coach will say, "Go." Player 1 throws his ball to player 3. At the same time player 2 throws his ball to player 1. As soon as player 3 catches the ball he throws it back to player 1. As soon as player 1 catches the ball from player 2 he throws it to player 4, and so on down the line. Player 1 works his way down the line to player 8 and then back up the line to player 2. At this point player 1 flips his ball to player 3, player 2 replaces player 1 ( player 1 then goes to the end of the line ) and everyone rotates up one spot and the drill starts over again.
X1 X8 X7 X6 X5 X4 X3
X2
This is an excellent drill for developing quick hands and quick feet. It forces the players to catch the ball with two hands. If he/she catches it with one hand he/she can't get rid of it in time before the next ball is coming at him. It also teaches players the importance of stepping at your target because you have to shift your feet in a different direction before throwing to the next person in line. A player who is lax or sloppy with his glove or feet is easily spotted in this drill.
Box Throwing
Players are positioned at respective bases. Throws are made in the following order: catcher to 1B; 1B to 3B; 3B to 2B with second baseman covering. Second baseman throws to catcher who throws back to 2B with shortstop covering. Shortstop throws to 1B; 1B to 3B; 3B to catcher. Each player applies a tag to "runner" before throwing to next player.
Throwing on the Run
Form two lines at opposite ends of workout area. First player from one line, with ball held up, runs toward first player in opposite line. At midpoint between lines, she throws the ball to the receiver and runs to the end of the receiver's line. The player receiving the ball puts a tag on "runner" and then runs toward first player in opposite line. At midpoint between lines, she throws the ball to the receiver and runs to the end of the line. Continue until everyone has performed at least four throws. Helps players overcome tendency to throw high in this situation.
Around the Horn
Players are positioned at their bases with both shortstop and second baseman at 2B. Catcher throws to third baseman who throws to second baseman covering 2B; second baseman throws to first baseman who throws to catcher. Then repeat in opposite direction with first baseman throwing to shortstop covering 2B. Each player applies a tag to "runner" before throwing to next player.
No-Stride Throws
Players pair up and stand sideways facing each other at a 90° angle and 10 yards apart. Players throw to each other using only shoulder and hip turn -- no stride. Players throw to each other for desired period, then move another 5 yards apart. Continue moving apart and throwing for desired period of time and distance apart.
Relay
Three or more players are spaced up to 50 feet apart from each other. Players make relay throws to each other being sure to turn towards the glove side as they throw to the next player in line. Turn this into a game by awarding prizes to the team that performs the fastest.
Quick Toss
Players pair up and throw to each other. Players must be moving forward and through the ball when they catch it and must be in position to throw quickly to partner. Emphasis should be on catching the ball with stride foot forward so a quick throw can be made. Players must back up quickly after each throw so that proper distance can be maintained between them. Players should move apart in 10 foot increments after an appropriate number of throws are made. Players can also throw grounders to each other.
"8-Ball Drill"
Coach Brabant
It is divided into eight steps: 1) Player stands shoulder width apart, puts throwing arm up at 90 degree angle, holds elbow with glove, throws ball to partner just using his wrist action. 2) Player sits with legs spread and has arm in same position only this time he can use from his elbow up and throws the ball to his partner. 3) Player remains sitting, only now he can rotate his hips and turn his upper torso to throw the ball. Follow through is not necessary yet. There is an emphasis on using the glove arm or elbow to direct throw. 4) Player now goes to one knee. He rotates his hips and upper torso and throws the ball, only now he puts the emphasis on following through across his knee which is raised. 5) Player now stands with glove arm closest to partner, and feet shoulder width apart. Using all of the above steps, he throws the ball concentrating on follow through, only he cannot move his feet. 6) Player now goes to the post position as in pitching, and throws the ball using the above steps. Emphasis in this step is balance at the post position. 7) Player now uses all the steps above and crow hops and throws the ball to his partner. Emphasis in this step is proper technique of the crow hop. 8) Finally, the last step is long toss. And we also have added to the last step, playing quick toss, which is for the infielders. They stand about 10 feet apart and toss the ball to each other as quickly as they can for one minute and they keep track for a contest. Emphasis here is on a quick release and concentrating on the ball entering and leaving the glove (transferring).
Stationary Throwing
Ron Bing, Puritas League, Cleveland, Ohio
This is a quick paced drill which gives the players many repetitions in a short period of time, while emphasizing correct fundamentals. Two players face each other from approximately 20', feet a little less than shoulders width. The players do not move their feet during this drill. They catch, break, than throw without moving their feet. The purpose of this drill is two fold: catching and breaking out front, and good upper body rotation when throwing. The object here is not to see who can throw harder, rather it is to give each other good, accurate throws at their teammates chest. Points to emphasize: catch out front with two hands; keep the glove out front when breaking (don't let the player bring the glove over to his side before he breaks); good, quick rotation of the upper body (glove side shoulder and arm pointed at the target, good extension straight back of the throwing arm); accurate throw. When I said to catch out front, that isn't quite accurate. What you want the player to do is actually redirect the throw into his throwing hand. If the player "catches" the ball, then reaches in to throw it, he will waste valuable time. The ball should be stopped by the glove, and his throwing hand right there to take it.
Break the window for three points
Ron Bing, Puritas Little League, Cleveland, Ohio
This is a fun drill which emphasizes throwing accuracy and good competition between players. I use a simple three point system, but you set it up any way you like. A throw from the head region around the side and down to the waist is worth three points (break the player's window). A throw that is easy to catch, but requires the player to fully extend his arms is worth two points. A throw which requires the player to step to make the catch is worth one. A uncacheable throw is worth zero. The points are scored based on throwing accuracy, although you could incorporate negative points for dropped throws (I don't use negatives). The boy who throws second gets his last turn in order to ensure equal number of throws. I run this with two players going head-to-head, although you can use more than that if you want. Set a point total (I use 15), and let them go for it! This is fun, but it also requires the players to play under pressure. If you are down 15 to 12, you have to come in with a perfect throw. This helps the boy who is throwing to focus on the chest area of the target he is throwing at. Too often a fielder throws to a too general area, and doesn't pick out a specific target. In this drill, the emphasis is on "breaking the player's window".
Bucket Drill
Joe Zander, Home State Bank
A fun throwing drill is simply called the "Bucket Drill."
Setup: On its side, place a large garbage pale (33 gallons or larger size) atop home plate so that the opening faces the diamond. Place a ball bag with several baseballs behind 2nd base. Divide your team into two groups. Instruct one group to line up at medium depth in left-center field and the other at the same depth in right-center field.
Execution: Have the first two players in each line break away from their groups and assume a normal ready fielding position. Throw a soft pop fly into the air for the fielders to catch. After the catch, they crow hop and throw the ball at cutoff-height to home plate. Instruct them to throw the ball into the bucket with the ball bouncing once or twice prior to home plate. After each throw the players rotate. Have the fielder run to the end of the line, and the next player at the front of the line run to the start position. Keep track of the number of throws that make it into the bucket. If you don't, the kids will.
Fielding Skills: Fly ball catching skills include: move quickly to the ball; run on the balls of the feet (running on the heels will absorb ground shock and make the ball seem to jump around in mid air); set up beneath the ball with momentum going forward toward plate as the catch is made; catch the ball above the bill of the cap slightly off-center toward the throwing shoulder; glove fingers are pointed to the sky (not turned toward the horizon). Throwing skills include aggressively squaring the body to the target, the crow hop; correct arm extension with fingers atop the ball and pointed straight back; grip the ball across the seams; hip roll and follow through.
Coaches: One coach can operate this drill by alternating throws between each group. With two coaches, one coach can work with each group. With three coaches, one coach can gather balls around the home plate area and refill the ball bag.
Comments: Kids love to practice this drill, and they always want to take another round. When a throw bounces into the bucket, you'll hear excited cheers and the kids high-five each other. When the ball ricochets off the bucket or narrowly misses, you'll hear "ooooohhs" and "aaaaahhs." The competition between the two groups also creates a lot of excitement. The pace of the drill moves fast, and it provides lots of opportunities for observation, instruction, and progressive development.
Circle Drill Drill
used to practice backhand and underhand throws. Players form a circle around a single player in the middle. Player on circle throws underhand to player in the middle and follows her throw to the center of circle. Player in the middle throws backhand to next player (clockwise) on the circle and follows throw. Player receiving the ball throws underhand to new player in the middle who throws backhand to the next player on the circle. Try using two balls at opposite ends of the circle and two players in the middle.
5 Star Throwing Drill
Place players in five separate groups that form an upside down pentagon. X2 X5 X4 X3 X1 X1 has the baseball, throws it to X2 and follows his throw. X2 throws the ball to X3 and follows his throw. X3 throws the ball to X4 and follows his throw. X4 throws the ball to X5 and follows his throw. X5 throws the ball to X1 line and follows his throw. This drill can be run inside or out and at any distance. We shorten the distance to work on quick hands and lengthen the distance to provide long throwing for our players. I like this drill because it forces the players to follow their throw. By doing this we have found the players are more likely to make a correct throwing motion and step directly at their target. We have noticed that in drills which require a player to return to the end of their line after making a throw the player tends to be in a hurry to go in an opposite direction of their throw which screws up extension and follow through. ( Thanks for the great info from other coaches and to Coach Brabant for putting this page together!) When we shorten the throwing I have the players about 10 feet apart. We extend it as far as 200 feet outside. This also serves as a good conditioner. One important detail about the drill after a player throws the ball to another line he should follow his throw to the outside to avoid getting hit by the next thrown ball.
Lengthen
Kurt Murdock
We use This throwing drill to strengthen the players arms during the season. This is a long toss drill that tries to lengthen out all throws made.
We split the outfielders into two groups, one in left, the other in right. Every one else is in their positions. Each group of outfielders start with one ball each. The left fielder throws through his cut off man (a third baseman,Optional) to a catcher just off the plate. As that ball comes in, a coach in front on the plate will short toss a ball to a catcher that is in the catching position. Upon receiving the ball he throws down to second base(like throwing out a runner), where a second baseman awaits the throw and makes a tag. He then throws a backhander to the next second baseman, who fields the backhand and throws to one of two first basemen. This first baseman is on the outfield side of first base and about 3 to 4 feet away from the bag. He then returns the ball to the next left fielder in line. Who starts the process over again. The right fielder makes a throw to third base through a cut-off man (a shortstop,Optional). The third baseman throws a backhand to the shortstop who turns and throws to the first baseman that is on the bag. (We usually put up a screen to keep the other first baseman from getting hit). The first baseman tosses the ball to a third first basemen who strings it out to the right fielder.
Every player should rotate to get a turn. The third basemen rotate with the shortstops to get in their throws. Every throw should be on a line, either one or two hopping it. The first basemen who throw to the outfielders should throw it on a line as if it was across the infield. Please email me if you have any questions.
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