BASEBALL PRACTICE PLAN FOR AGE 13-14 YEARS WEEK 2

THIS WEEK’S OBJECTIVES

PRACTICE SCHEDULE (TOTAL TIME: 110 MINUTES)

Duration Activities Video References
5 minutes Pre-Practice Discussions – Review last practice session/games/homework with coaches and team.
15 minutes Pre-Practice Warm-Ups – It is important to start all practices with a warm-up and set routine:

• Stretching (arm circles, rotational twists, hamstring & Quad stretches, and rocking side lunges)
• Jog/sprint running
• Warm-up throwing, including long-toss program
Arm Circles
Lunge with a Trunk Twist
Heel Scoops
Rocking Side Lunges
Ankle Mobility
15 minutes Team Relay Drill –Session Reference #505

Coaches will create 2-3 lines of 4-5 players in each line. Position cones approximately 40’ apart, and line up players at cones
Team Relay Drill
30 minutes Individual position Work (4 stations) — Session Reference #503

• Station 1: Outfield Fundamentals (down right field/left field foul line)

• Station 2: First baseman footwork/receiving throws & balls in dirt (at 1st base)

• Station 3: Second baseman, 3rd baseman and shortstop (at SS and 3rd base area)

• Station 4: Catchers receiving, throwing to 2nd & blocking drills (at home plate)
Individual Position Work - Outfield
15 minutes Infield/Outfield Session—Session Reference #501 -Two full rounds of infield/outfield pregame session with players in their primary positions, then another 2 full rounds of I/O with players in their secondary positions.
Infield Outfield Session
30 minutes Live Hitting – divide players into 3 or 4 hitting groups of no more that 3-4 players per group. Each hitter will get 3 round of 7-10 swings each round (based on time and number of players at practice)• Round 1: Balls hit up the middle or to right side of 2nd base• Round 2: Hit & Run scenarios, advance the runner to 2nd or 3rd base• Round 3: Getting runner in from 3rd base with less than 2 outs

• Round 4: Free round (Get ‘em on, Get ‘em over & Get ’em in)

• Pitchers and Catchers not hitting will go to bullpen for 25-30 pitch bullpen

• All players not hitting should be in outfield or infield shagging BP balls

PARENTS EDUCATION / PLAYER HOMEWORK

Activity Video References
Base Running Skills – learn keys to stealing
"No-No" Keying on Back Heel
Base Stealing Basic Keys
Reading Balls in the Dirt
How to Steal 2nd Base off a Righty
How to Steal 2nd Base off a Lefty
Education on Infielder Communication
Middle Infielders Communication
Pop-Up Communication and Priorities
Communication between the SS and 3rd Baseman
Infield Communications

DRILL REFERENCES

Drill Name Description
501 Infield/Outfield Session   1. Coaches will place players (except pitchers) in their primary game infield/outfield positions. The coach will then hit ground balls/fly balls to the outfielders, starting at LF. The outfielders will then make throws to 2nd base.After all of the outfielders have made the plays and throws to 2nd  base, then repeat this process until the outfielders have made throws to 3rd base and Home Plate. Once all of the plays and throws have been completed, the outfielders will then run to the dugout.2. Once the outfield session is completed, the catcher will then begin the “Around the Horn” throws (home to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd, 2nd to SS, SS to 1st, and 1st to home, repeat 2-3 times.3. The coach will then begin hitting ground balls to the infielders, starting at 3rd base. The players will make throws first to home, then to 1st and then to 2nd for double plays (Turning 2). Repeat this for every infield position. 2-3 rounds.4. The final round of infield starts with the coach hitting one ball to the infielders, in a deep position at back of infield making a long throw to 1st base, then drops a slow roller where the infielder charges and makes play to 1st base. The 1st baseman will make his throws to the catcher at home plate. 

After each round the coach should roll a ball in front of home plate and the catcher should make throws to 1st base.

If not a pre-game I/O session, repeat this session with the players in their secondary positions.
503 Individual Position Work (4 stations)
    • Station 1: Outfield Work (down right field or left field line)

1. With a bucket of balls, outfielders will line up on the foul line in their ready positions each receiving shallow pop flys thrown by the coach to their glove side, throwing side and balls hit directly behind them. This drill is to be worked in a rapid rotation, with each player receiving 10-15 balls in each of the 3 angles.
2. The second part of the outfield position work has the coach standing on right/left field foul line with outfielders standing approximately 50’ away. Coach will then roll or hit fungo ground balls with the outfielders charging hard to catch and set up in a crow-hop throwing position, then returning to the end of the line. This drill is to be done in a rapid rotation. During this time, each player should receive approximately 25-50 repetitions.

    • Station 2: First Baseman Footwork and Receiving Throws in the Dirt (at 1st base)

With a bucket of balls and coach standing approximately 25’ away from the bag, from the 2nd base, 3rd base and shortstop angles. The first baseman will start in the ready position approximately 8-10’ from the bag. On the coach’s command, the first baseman will break towards the bag, the coach will throw balls simulating receiving good throws as well as bad throws and throws in the dirt from the 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and shortstop. First baseman should focus on proper footwork setup and receiving the ball with the proper foot (non-glove side foot) on the bag. This drill should be worked in a rapid rotation with each player receiving 10-15 balls from each of the 3 routine infield angles. During this time, each player should receive 50-70 throws.

    • Station 3: 2nd Baseman, 3rd Baseman & Shortstop Infield Work

1. Players will pair up with one another about 10’-15’ apart in a stationary athletic position, and roll balls back and forth to their partner, simulating receiving routine ground balls, back-hand ground balls, and glove side ground balls focusing on proper glove hand and throwing hand placement.
2. Players will repeat drills similarly to first drill set, but will now add proper footwork into different ground ball fielding position. During this time, each player should receive approximately 50-75 fielding repetitions.

    • Station 4: Catchers Receiving and Blocking Drills (at home plate)

1. With a bucket of balls and a coach standing approximately 15’-20’ away, between the pitching mound and home plate, each catcher will set-up in a proper receiving position. Coach will then throw 10-15 balls to each catcher.
2. In this round, the catcher will practice receiving and framing balls thrown to the inside and outside corners, down the middle, and balls thrown below the knee.
3. The third round will have the catcher incorporate blocking balls in the dirt to each of the positions listed in round 2.
These drills should be done in a rapid rotation. During this time, each player should receive approximately 75 fielding repetitions.
505 Team Relay Drills (this can be a timed competition drill) • Coaches will create 2-3 lines of 4-5 players in each line.
• Position 2 or 3 rows of cones approximately 40’ apart, and line up players at cones
• The object of this drill is to set up as a cutoff, receive the throw with the glove hand closest to the next throwing position, moving towards that position, and making a throw to the other players in your line as quickly and accurate as possible. One the throws reach the end of the line, return the throws back in the other direction and repeat 5 total repetitions for each round. If a player drops the ball, or if a bad throw is made, the players must start over from the beginning.
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