Baseball players perform skills such as fielding, hitting and throwing repeatedly during games. According to Richard Magill, author of “Motor Learning and Control,” baseball players should practice these skills frequently to achieve mastery, but for short periods of time during each practice session. And coaches should conduct drills during each practice session that give players multiple repetitions for each skill.
Square Drill
The square drill gives players multiple ground ball repetitions in a relatively short period of time. Divide your players evenly into four groups and send each group to a different infield position—first base, second base, third base and shortstop. Assign a coach to each group and have them set up directly opposite the group, about 30 yards away on the other side of the infield. One player from each group will stand by his coach to catch the balls. Have the coaches repeatedly hit ground balls to the players in their line. Instruct the players to field the ball, throw it to the catcher and then move to the back of the line. Cycle through the lines as many times as possible for 15 minutes.
Angled Fly Ball Drill
Both infielders and outfielders have to catch fly balls during games. Most of these fly balls are hit to one side or the other so your players have to run at an angle to get under the ball. Use the angled fly ball drill to teach them how to do this. Using the same groups as the square drill, have the coaches move to within 10 yards of the group. Direct the coaches to throw fly balls to the right or left of the players, one at a time. Tell the players to run to where they anticipate the ball will descend, catch the ball above their chin, toss it back to the coach–and go to the back of the line. Allow each player field at least 10 fly balls.
Hard In-Soft Away Drill
Pitchers often follow an inside fastball with an outside change-up, or other off-speed pitch, to try to fool the batter. The hard in-soft away drill teaches batters how to react when pitchers use this strategy. Position a screen about 20 feet in front of home plate. Toss balls underhanded to one batter at a time from behind the screen, either hard and inside or soft and outside. Teach batters to expect the inside fastball, and adjust by waiting longer for the outside change-up. Give each player at least 10 swings.
Relay Drill
The relay drill gets your players to practice throwing and catching in a game-like situation. Have four players form a line in the outfield with 20 to 30 yards between each player. Start the ball with the first player in line on either side. Tell him to throw to the second player, the second player to throw to third, the third to the fourth, the fourth back the third, and so on until each player has made several throws. Alternatively, have two groups of four players race to see which group can go through the line three times first.
References
- “Motor Learning and Control”; Richard A. Magill; 2007
- "The Baseball Coaching Bible"; Jerry Kindall and John Winkin; 1999
- "The Baseball Drill Book"; Bob Bennett; 2004
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