We do a box drill where we take all the IF and put then in a square about 10 - 15 feet apart. Start in a corner and have the player take the ball from the ground and work on a back hand double play flip. As he flips the ball he follows it and goes to the next corner. The guy receiving the flip will call "FLIP" and catch the ball (we shoot for chest high). In one motion after the catch he takes the ball and taps the ground to simulate catching a GB and then proceeds to flip to the next corner and follows it. Then you turn around and go the next direction to work on an underhand flip. Once again follow the flip. Following the flip helps them understand to create momentum for the ball by using their body and not arm. We teach them to not take the arm higher than the shoulder - if you go higher then it will probably be a high 2X feed. I justify using my 1B and 3B in this drill because they may have to flip a bunted ball to someplace or the 1B flipping the ball to the pitcher covering. It's a real quick drill that should take about 5 minutes or so.
Another favorite of mine is the 3 man relay drill (which I saw another coach on here uses from the coach info exchange we had - glad to see that). Get all your IF in groups of three and put them in a line. The two on the outside are the throwers and the one in the middle is working on the relay. First throw to work on is standard good throw chest high. Have them open the front side to start pointing the front shoulder at the target. Catch the ball head / chest high and relay to the other outside man. They need to keep their glove hand around the middle of their body but closer to reaching back towards their throwing shoulder. This helps keep from wasting time / movement in transferring the ball. The next throw is a short hop. Have them see the hop coming and start shuffling towards the target (away from the hop) to help them turn a bad hop into a good hop and relay on. If they are going to get a good hop then pause and create momentum as they catch it. Next throw to work on is the offline throw in front of them. They are opened up and see the throw is out in front of them. Work on them stepping with their back foot forward. Then catch and step towards the target for the throw. The last throw to work on is the offline throw behind them. Start opened again and they see the throw is offline behind them. They step hard with back foot to catch the ball and then throw ball. In this we try not to have them turn against their body because it wastes time but if one hard step won't get them to the ball then they turn against their body to complete the play. They go yell at the OF for a terrible throw.
Another thing we do is a block sesseion.
First block - all this going on at same time SS, 2B, 1B work on 2X - moving towards bag, away from bag and communicate on taking bag ownself 3B work on pop ups in foul territory C work on blocking
Second block - all same time 3B, 2B 1B work on 2X - hard shot, towards second, backhand down line, slow roller SS work on pop up behind third and second C work on framing
Third block - same time SS, 1B work on 2X - 1B bounce off bag and work on hard shot, routine and recover, towards second (we don't use the pitcher on these because we do it as it's own drill), down the line with tag. 2B work on pop ups behind 2B / 1B C work on throwing out to 3B
Fourth block - same time C and 2B work on throw outs 1B, SS and 3B work on shorthop picks - SS, 3B work at same time on 3B to tag and 1B are scooping
Fifth block - same time C work on bunts / blocked third strike behind them in circle with entire IF (plus can throw in some pickoffs from pitcher) C gets bunt in front of plate - up 1B line, middle and 3B line with plant and turn - to 1B. Once 1B gets throw he pops to SS to 2B to 3B back to coach Then go to 2B, 3B
This whole thing should take around 20 - 35 minutes depending on numbers and skill level. When you get good at it then it's beautiful to watch.
When life hands you gators - make Gatorade
Posts: 1992 | Location: Started in WV - then to KY - now in NC | Registered: May 12, 2006
Here's a drill I like. Only 1 fungo required and every position involved on every other ground ball.
Set Up Place a throw-down base 15’ down the first base line (towards the right field corner). Place empty buckets at the original first base, the throw-down first base, and at third base. At home plate, the coach will have a fungo and a full bucket of baseballs. One first baseman should play at each of the two first bases (both will be involved in the drill). Infielders should be at their respective positions.
The Drill In this drill, the coach fungoes ground balls rapidly, one after another, to the fielders. Upon receiving the throws, the first and third basemen will place the balls into the empty buckets. If the coach runs out of baseballs, he will call for the buckets and the first and third basemen will sprint their buckets to home plate, empty them, and sprint back to their positions. There are five rounds, and we usually spend three minutes per round. If you want to get more reps, simply increase the time of the rounds. For explanation purposes, we shall refer to first base as 3A and the throw-down base as 3B. We also have our first basemen rotate after every few repetitions to handle both plays.
So, for clarifications purposes, if in Round One (listed below) the team’s infielders are working on 5-4-3B double plays and 6-3A put outs the routine will go like this: the coach will fungo a ground ball to the third baseman (5), who throws to the second baseman (4), and he throws to the first baseman at the throw-down base (3B). He will then quickly get another baseball out of his bucket and fungo a ground ball to the shortstop (6), who throws to the “real” first base (3A) for the put out. The drill continues like this for all five rounds.
Round One: 5-4-3B double play 6-3A put out
Round Two: 5-3A put out 6-4-3B double play
Round Three: 4-6-3B double play 3A-5 put out
Round Four: 4-3B put out (or put 5’s & 4’s together for pop ups) 3A-6-3A double play
Round Five: *Have catchers join drill. A. Infielders “in” for tag plays B. Infielders “in” for home to first double plays. (In round five the coach fungoes only one ball and waits for the play to be completed before fungoeing to the next player in line).
Posts: 118 | Location: Horatio, AR, USA | Registered: November 08, 2003
1st Drill -This is a great drill to help focus on Pitcher's fielding -All infielders (including pitchers) -1 Fungo -Bucket of balls / Empty bucket at 1B -Alternating groundballs each round -You can use a dummy bag (like in Ryno's drill) for all DPs if you would like
Rd 1 a)P/3B bunt w/ throws to 1B b)4-6-3 DP
Rd 2 a)1-6-3 and 1-4-3 DPs b)3B slow roller w/ throws to 1B
Rd 3 a)GB to 1B w/ pitcher covering b)5-4-3 and 6-4-3 DPs
2nd Drill
-This drill works almost all throws made by infielders -All infielders (w/o pitchers) -1 or 2 fungos -High tempo drill -Bucket of balls / empty bucket at all bases -Alternating groundballs each round Rd 1 a)5-3 b)6-4 (DP footwork w/o throw to 1B)
Rd 2 a)3-5 b)4-6 (DP footwork w/o throw to 1B)
Rd 3 a)6-3 b)5-4 (DP footwork w/o throw to 1B)
Rd 4 a)4-5 b)3-6 (DP footwork w/o throw to 1B)
Rd 5 a)6-5 b)4-3
Coach Rudy
Posts: 22 | Location: Oregon | Registered: February 18, 2008
I like the drills and have put them in our practice folder. But, call me ignorant. I have always used 1-6 DPs. Then there is no confusion at 2B when ball is hit to 1 as to who covers, and we have our strongest arm, with momentum towards 1B. I figure even if 6 is playing deep in the hole, he would be moving/reacting on the hit to 1 which puts him in motion towards 2B. Please enlighten me on the benefits of 1-4 DPs.
Posts: 258 | Location: Baraboo, WI | Registered: February 26, 2003
Series 1 (there are 2 series. We go about 5 minutes a station. Kids ge tgreat reps and are gassed when finished.)
Polk Defensive Drill Series- from "Baseball Playbook"
#1 Infielders and catchers: Force/tags at home Pitchers: ground ball footwork in LF Outfielders: Fence Communication and going back on ball in RF
#2 Catchers and 1st basemen: C fielding bunt throwing to 1B SS/2B: communicating groundballs around 2nd base 3B: Fly balls foul around dugouts OF: Working on mechanics of going back on balls Pitchers: Mechanics
#3 Pitchers and 1B: GB right side, pitcher covers 1st C and 3B: C fielding bunts throwing to 3rd. OF/SS/2B: Fly ball communication
#4. P/1B/2B/C: ball hit to right side. GB communication, C/P working to backup SS/3B: balls hit on left side with force at 3rd. If only play would be to 1B, fake throw. If it would be DP ball, fake DP throw. OF: In deep CF, possible plays at 3rd or home. Do or die balls.
#5: P/3B/SS/C: Bunt Communication: Gold, White 1B/2B: Getting balls to left/right/ If 1B comes off bag, fake flip to P. OF: Working on balls hit in gaps. Footwork and communication
#6. SS/2B/P: Pickoff plays to 2 nd C/1B/3B: Working on C pickoffs to 1st and 3rd OF: In RC, working on ground balls to their left and right.
#7 P/1B: Pickoffs OF/2B/SS: Working on throwing behind runner rounding at 2nd. Can use cutoff to 3rd or OF fake throw then throw behind. C/3B: Work on pop ups, fair and foul, in problem areas.
#8 C/SS/2B: C picking off runner at 2B 1B/3B: Fielding bunts and throwing opposite (1st to 3rd, 3rd to 1st) OF: In RF working on picking up stopped ball at fence and throwing to cutoff man P: In LF, working on inside move to 2nd
#9 RF/2B/1B: Fly ball communication to RF down line in problem areas P/SS/2B: Working mechanics/timing of inside pickoff move to 2nd 3B/C: Rundowns between 3rd and home LF/CF: Runners at 3rd for rundown
Posts: 226 | Location: central texas | Registered: August 31, 2006
we do something very similar, but we add the dp throws to a 2nd firstbaseman about 5 feet behind the regular firstbaseman. i know the angle will be a little different but getting them to throw is more important imo.
"take care of the little things and the big things will take care of itself." "Remembering Erik Walker"
Posts: 223 | Location: the sticks, north carolina, usa | Registered: November 18, 2003
This is a Multi-Purpose IF drill I got from Western Kentucky's coach at a clinic. We use it about once a week. We like to change things up too and do a 1st & 3rd read by the 2b (runner breaks we cut, he stays, ball goes thru) in the first one. Gets a lot of involvement out of everyone, plus we can have runners if we need by using the OF or they can go hit.
P - THROW PITCH/COVER 1B/ KEEP BALL C - RECEIVE PITCH & THROW TO 2B/READY TO RECEIVE BALL FROM 2B/GIVE BALL TO COACH 1B - FIELD FUNGO/FEED P COVERING 1B/COVER BAG FOR THROW FROM 3B 2B/SS - RECEIVE THROW FROM C/MAKE TAG/ THROW TO C FOR TAG PLAY 3B - MAKE SLOW ROLLER PLAY ON FEED FROM COACH COACH - FUNGO TO 1B/RECEIVE BALL FROM C/FEED 3B SLOW ROLLER
P - THROW CHANGEUP/FIELD FUNGO & FEED 2B BAG TO START DOUBLE PLAY C - RECEIVE THROW FROM P/THROW TO 3B LIKE STEAL 1B - RECEIVE DP THROW FROM SS/2B 2B/SS - RECEIVE THROW FROM P/TURN DP 3B - MAKE TAG PLAY AT 3B COACH - FUNGO TO P
P - THROW PITCH/COVER 1B ON 3-6-1 DP/BREAKDOWN AND THROW HOME C - RECEIVE & THROW TO 3B/COVER THROW HOME FROM P AND TAG 1B - FIELD FUNGO AND MAKE DP FEED TO 2B/GET BACK TO BAG IF COMFORTABLE 2B/SS - RECEIVE BALL FROM 1B TURN DP 3B - MAKE TAG PLAY/RETURN BALL TO P COACH - FUNGO TO 1B
P - EXECUTE PICK AT 2B C - EXECUTE PICK AT 2B/RECEIVE THROW FROM 3B/TAG 1B - FIELD BUNT/THROW RUNNER OUT AT 3B 2B/SS -RECEIVE PICK THROW FROM PITCH 3B - COVER 3B/TAG/SPIN AND THROW TO PLATE FOR TAG COACH - BUNT TO 1B
Forgot this one... P1 - PICK @ 1B/FOLLOW PICK IN CASE OF RUNDOWN P2 - WILD PITCH/COVER HOME AND V-TAG/KEEP FEET CLEAR C - RETRIEVE WP & THROW TO P COVERING HOME 1B - CLOSE PICK THROW & THROW TO SS/2B LIKE RUNNER LEFT EARLY 2B/SS - RECEIVE BALL FROM 1B
Posts: 5 | Location: IL | Registered: December 17, 2008
