I know I am constantly searching for drills and practice plans, so I thought I would share a few of mine from the last few weeks. I have a group of 10 kids, ages 5-8. We only practice for about 20 minutes, and then play a game for the last 35-40 minutes.
Practice 1
6:30 Warm up game—Shark and Octopus: Everyone begins the game as an octopus and stands on one side of the playing field. One person is chosen to be a shark and they will stand in the middle of the playing field. Play begins when the shark calls out, "Octopus, Octopus, swim in my ocean!" All players must run across the playing field trying to get to the other side without getting tagged by the shark. Anyone who is tagged must sit down where they are tagged. They now become the shark's helpers. When the shark calls out, "Octopus, Octopus, swim in my ocean!" again, the players will try to run back to the other side. Anyone who runs within arms reach of the sitting players and gets tagged must sit down. The game continues until there is only one person left.
6:40 Stretching—Coach to lead players through stretching head to toe.
6:45 Catch with partner—just let them do what they feel is right.
6:50 Teach throwing technique—2-3 finger grip
Step 1: on knee (non throwing knee up) use glove to hold forearm, and just use wrist to throw to partner 3 feet away. Use the key phrase, “honking geese”. The wrist and hand should look like a goose’s head after snapping wrist and throwing ball. I get the players to honk and they love it!!!!
Step 2: place baseball behind head, elbow up and throw to partner. Glove hand points at partner. Move about 6 feet back.
Step 3: stand up, turn sideways to partner, with glove hand closest to partner. Ball and glove at chest, point glove and glove toe to partner, bring ball behind head, and then throw, twisting hips towards partner
7:00 Alligator Catch—Scoop ball up off ground. Glove hand is bottom jaw of alligator, non-gloved hand is the top jaw. Bring hands together to scoop ball up off ground, and keep in glove. Coach has players line up, and rolls a grounder to each player. Using the above technique, scoop ball and throw ball to coach.
Practice 2
6:30 Warm up Game—Relay with glove
At start line, do 3 jumping jacks, run to next pylon
Do 3 tuck jumps, run to end line
Throw ball up to self and catch it 5 times, run back to start
6:35 Catch with partner—make sure to turn sideways, point at partner with glove hand, and snap the wrist on follow through
6:40 Batting Practice—using tee, in two groups, have the children choke up high on the bat, and swing down and through, to aim at the pyramid of balls in front. This will work on the chopping, downward action of the swing. Have each take about 5 swings, and then rotate. Each time through, lower their hands on the bat, until we are at a “normal” position.
Reminder that what ever foot is closest to the pitcher, that hand is the on closest to the bottom of the bat.
6:50—Game!!!!
Practice 3
6:45 Warm up Game—Freeze Tag
6:50 Catch with partner—make sure to turn sideways, point at partner with glove hand, and snap the wrist on follow through
6:55 Fielding –in 2 lines, coach will roll ball out to player, who will use the “alligator scoop technique” to field ball. Also remind players that they need to be behind the ball—if they were to miss the ball with their glove, it should roll right between their legs.
7:05 Base Game—starting at pitchers mound, players will run to whatever base is called out, just to get a better understanding of which base is which.
7:10 Batting—using tee, in two groups, have the children choke up high on the bat, and swing down and through, to aim at the pyramid of balls in front. This will work on the chopping, downward action of the swing. Have each take about 5 swings, and then rotate. Each time through, lower their hands on the bat, until we are at a “normal” position. Reminder that what ever foot is closest to the pitcher, that hand is the on closest to the bottom of the bat.
The most important thing to remember, is to have fun!!!!!
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