* BEST DRILL FOR FIELDING PRACTICE *INFIELD FUNDYS [ fundamentals ]

This drill is used every single day at the High School Level for players to get maximum repetitions in a short amount of time with a focus on correct technique. Its even better for younger players. Each ball is rolled by coach in order to control speed and direction of ball. Players are told to field ball and make a fake throw towards 1st base. [Reason never in a game does a player field a ball and throw it back to a coach] It is important to practice bringing ball out of glove and lining feet and body towards 1st or any other base.

3 basic types of groundballs:

1. Ball directly at them 2. Ball to glove side 3. Ball to backhand

Two additional types of groundballs can be added as they progress:

4. Soft charge - Meaning they have to charge ball, field it with glove & make fake throw to 1st base 5. Hard charge - Player must charge ball and field with bare hand and make fake throw to 1st base Pop Ups can be added while at each position. 1. PopUp in front of them 2. PopUp to right 3. PopUp to left So, in all, players could potentially receive 5 types of ground balls rolled to them, plus pop ups if desired. If each player gets even 3 of each type of groundball [total of 15] at each position then rotates.he will receive 60 ground balls in about 10 minutes. ** Players should never be just all lined up in 1 spot waiting for 1 player to get a ground ball and throw to coach or base. This is tremendous waste of time and kids will lose focus when asked to wait in a long line. See set up below. It is based on 2 players at each position, but it could be just 1 or even 3 if need be. After players take turns every ball getting 2-5 balls rolled directly to them, 2-5 to right, 2-5 to left, they rotate to next position

- T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Minors = players should rotate to each position. - Majors and above = players may be more position specific and not need to rotate. - Another group of players can be w/another coach in outfield doing outfield pop ups [tennis balls work great]

FIELDING DRILL W/ 4 COACHES FIELDING DRILL W/ 2 COACHES

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INFIELD FUNDYS [ 2ND PHASE ]

After Phase 1 of Fundys are complete, move to Phase 2 if desired. Coach #1 will work with middle infielders on covering bag, double play pivots, flipsetc. Coach #2 will throw or hit balls to 3rd baseman. Focus on charging balls/bunts throwing to 1st . First baseman get ground balls hit or thrown to them as well. You can spend 5-10 minutes in this Phase. ** If you have a catcher who needs some individual practice time, this is when to do it.** Catchers can work on popping out and fielding bunts and throw to 1st or 3rd.

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After Phase 2 of Fundys are complete, move to Phase 3 [ whole team infield/outfield with outfielders throwing to 2nd, then 3rd, then home, using infielders as cutoffs. After outfielders have thrown to all bases, move to infielders, starting at 3rd , have each one field a ground ball & throw to 1st. After one round, have fielders throw to 2nd, then 1st, trying to turn double play. x

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BATTING PRACTICE PLAN #1 [ can be used for 10 12 players ]

Coach Pitching BP 4 players at infield positions (1 each position) 3 player at outfield positions (1 each position)

Can use a 4th outfielder if needed [make sure only 3 play on live at-bats during BP]Remember, theres never 4 outfielders during a game.

1 catcher 1 player deep bucket [if needed] 2 players hitting [they hit as partners] * This setup allows defense to make plays in game situations Round 1 = Player A bunts 2 [1 down 1st, other down 3rd] then takes 8-10 swings - last swing live [defense makes play & batter runs] After player he returns to On Deck Spot. Player B repeats same. Round 2 = Player A Gets 8-10 swings lasts swing live [defense makes play & batter runs] Player B repeats ** Rotate hitters in together as pairs=============================================================================

BATTING PRACTICE PLAN #2 [ can be used for 10 12 players ]

Coach Pitching BP 4 players at infield positions (1 each position) 3 player at outfield positions (1 each position)

Can use a 4th outfielder if needed [make sure only 3 play on live at-bats during BP]Remember, theres never 4 outfielders during a game.

1 player geared up catching BP [optional]1 player deep bucket [optional]1 hitter1 on deck batter (practice swings or working with coach on improving swing)1 runner on 1st base , lead, steal, 1st to 3rd 1 runner on 2nd base - practice lead, secondary lead, tag, rounding 3rd 1 runner on 3rd (if needed) - practice lead, squeeze, break on contact, ball thru infield Players rotate in following order:On deck hit run on 1st run on 2nd run on 3rd - field position deep bucket - back to on deck

BATTING PRACTICE PLAN #3 [ can be used for 8 17 players ]** This is good plan if you have extra coaches who can help with P.I.T StationCoach Pitching BP4 players at infield positions (1 each position) 3 players at outfield positions (1 each position)

Can use a 4th outfielder if needed [make sure only 3 play on live at-bats during BP]Remember, theres never 4 outfielders during a game.

1 player geared up catching BP [optional]1 player deep bucket [optional]1 hitter1 on deck batter (practice swings)1 runner on 1st base - practicing lead [if teeners or above], steal, 1st to 3rd 1 runner on 2nd base - practicing lead [if teeners or above], secondary lead, tag, rounding 3rd 1 runner on 3rd (if needed) - practice lead [if teeners], squeeze, break on contact, ball thru infield2-4 players w/ other coach in P.I.T. (Player Improvement Training)Use this PIT Station for extra work with players Drills that can be done in P.I.T.- use time for pitchers to throw - bunting- ground balls - Flyballs or popups- soft toss - extra swings in cage or simply practice swingsPlayer Groups or Pairs rotate in following order:Field Position Pit - Hit Baserunning Back to Field Position==============================================================================

BATTING PRACTICE PLAN #4 [ can be used for 10 17 players ]Coach Pitching BP4 players at infield positions (1 each position)3 players at outfield positions (1 each position)1 catcher (if minors or above) 2-4 players in HittingEach player takes turns getting live at-bat or Tee hit [players runs on hit & defense plays it to get out] Runner stays on base and next hitter in group comes up to bat and again runs on hit. Repeat for 3-4 at bats each then rotate another group in to be hitting group.

- You can make it a competition to see which group of hitters can score the most runs in their at-bats. Players obviously are rotated to different positions as needed. This is great Plan to get live at bats in game situations and allows defense to practice game situations.