This drill is used to help condition players and to increase their running speed.
How it Works:
All players line-up at home plate. The coach will blow the whistle to signal the first player in line should begin. Once the first player gets a third of the way to first then the whistle should be blown and the next player should begin. This should continue until all the players are running around the bases.
The players should change their running style at each base.
From home to first the players should be kicking their butt. They should be kicking up their heels and kicking their butts with their heels. The goal isn’t to go fast from home to first. The goal is to kick their butt as many times as possible.
From first to home the players should be running with high knees. They should be kicking their knees up so that their knees come up above their waist. Again, the goal isn’t to go fast from first to second; the goal is to kick up the knees as many times as possible.
From second to third the players should use the “hop/skip.” Players should skip and kick up their knees one leg at a time. As they kick-up their knee they should also bring-up their arm on the same side. For example, as they kick-up their right knee they should be bringing up their right arm.
From third to home the player should sprint as fast as possible.
This drill takes a lot of energy if it is run correctly.
Coaching Points:
The coach should make sure that each player is performing each part of the drill correctly. Again, the only part of the drill that should be fast is from third to home. The coach should tell the players to keep the same space at all times. Then the coach can make sure that the first player is going the proper speed and this will ensure that all the other players are doing it correctly too.
Here’s a great new drill we’ve been using in practice called “Hit the Cutoff.” The main purpose of this drill is to work on getting the ball from the outfield into the infield.
How it Works:
This drill requires a fielder at second, at third, a catcher, a cutoff man, and outfielders.
The coach will begin the drill by hitting the ball (in the air or on the ground) to the outfielder. The outfielder will field the ball and throw the ball on a line to the cutoff man (the ball should be aimed at the cutoff’s head). The cutoff should go out to the outfield grass and line-up between home and the outfielder.
Once the ball is hit, the coach should tell the catcher where the ball should be thrown. First base is 1, second is 2, third is 3, and home is 4. As the outfielder throws the ball to the cutoff, the catcher recognizes if the cutoff man needs to catch the throw or not. If the throw doesn’t need to be caught then the catcher doesn’t yell anything. If the ball needs to be caught or “cut” then the catcher needs to be yell “cut” and then the number of the base.
For example, if the coach wants the ball thrown to third (because that’s where the runner might be thrown out) then the catcher should yell “cut 3!”
If the cutoff doesn’t hear anything then he should just let the ball go. If the catcher does yell “cut” and then a number then the cutoff needs to catch the ball and then throw to the correct base.
Coaching Points:
Too often outfielders try to throw the ball all the way home or to a base and the ball takes too long to get there. Outfielders should always aim to hit the cutoff man. In fact, the outfield should throw right at the cutoff man’s head. The ball should be on a line.
Coaches should look to make sure the outfielder is receiving the ball with two hands. Then the outfielder should use a crow-hop to throw to the cutoff man. The cutoff should line-up directly between the ball and home (or the base where the leading runner will be going for). The coach should make sure the cutoff man catches with two hands. Preferably the cutoff should already be turning as he catches the ball. Then the cutoff should use the crow-hop and throw to the base that the catcher called. The catcher needs to make the call loudly and in plenty of time so the cutoff man knows.
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In this video, 10 Time State Championship Coach Steve Cramblitt explains how to teach rotational hitting mechanics.
I personally prefer the rotational approach because it allows young hitters to recruit power from the strongest muscles in their bodies: the legs.
What do you think about the rotational vs. linear debate? Post a comment and let me know.
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I love this drill because it improves a hitter’s ball-tracking ability, teaches him to “go with the pitch” and makes him a more well-rounded threat at the plate.
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Once you’re done watching, make sure to leave me a comment below. This is a new blog I’ve just started and I need your feedback?
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STEP 1 - Watch The Video
Watch this video to discover the 8 most common hitting mistakes… and the exact drills and coaching techniques you can use to correct them!
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What is YOUR favorite drill to correct hitting mistakes?
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