4/24 Practice
Team Name
4/24 Practice
Location
Hunt Valley Elementary
Date
04/24/2023
Start Time
5:00
End Time
6:30
EARLY ACTIVITY DRILL STARTS AT 4:45 (BELOW GOLD)
Feet in Concrete is a throwing drill typically done as part of the Throwing Progression (a routine to follow while warming the arm up). Depending on...Read More
Notes:
PRACTICE STARTS AT 5:00 (BELOW BLACK)
~ SEE "EXECUTION KEYS" BELOW FOR AGE-SPECIFIC SUGGESTION LIST ~ The Dynamic Warm Up is today's warm up routine. Gone are the days of standing in a...Read More
Notes:
EXECUTION – DC uses a Warm Up Box, which is comprised of three red cones, three white cones, and three blue cones. Lines are two big steps apart, and red/white/blue cones are five-seven yards apart. In preparation for Warm Up, any equipment is placed at individual dugouts or lined up along a fence, and the athletes form three lines behind the red cones. Kids move freely from foul line to outfield (and back), working through various warm up movements. Emphasize quality of movement, quantity of repetitions, and keep movements varied. Finish with sprint work to ensure all athletes enter practice at 100%. This sprint work can involve a baserunning fundamental, thus falling under the DC practice absolute Early Baserunning.
A Base Hit Turn is the action taken by a baserunner while rounding first after a base hit. The ball has reached the outfield safely, which means the...Read More
Notes:
EXECUTION – DC uses small disc cones to map out the curving route of a base hit turn. Baserunners are taught to “kick out” in what is often referred to as a banana curve to most efficiently round first base and direct the running angle towards second. Place cones down to guide this path, starting as early as the midpoint (50%) of the first base line. Place two additional cones on the ground (25% of the way towards second base) that can serve as visual goals for an aggressive distance covered on the turn itself. Run hard and put the pressure on the defense. DC KEYS Inside Corner, Either Foot – Hit the inside corner of the bag, almost leaning into the turn towards second base. Use either foot, trying NOT to break stride. Penguin Stance – Coach can stand on top of the first base bag, with feet exposing only the inside corner of the base. That coach can also protect against collisions. Fence-Line Cone – Place a cone near the fence, directly in line with the cones marking an aggressive turn distance. Athletes can return to the line by staying around that fence line cone. This stops athletes from crossing into one another and avoiding collisions (especially around the base).
Notes:
Mini-Field, everyone has a job on every play.
WATER BREAK (5min)
Stations (Groups rotate halfway through block)
Wiffle Circle
5:40-5:55 
15 Minutes
5:40-5:55 15 Minutes
Kids go in a circle and stand at cones, coach in middle throws whiffle balls to them
BP Reps: Front Toss
5:55-6:10 15 Minutes
5:55-6:10 15 Minutes
EXECUTION – Front Toss is defined as standing in front of an athlete, and underhand-tossing the ball into the strike zone. Coach uses a slow and predictable arm swing, stepping into the toss, to put the baseball into a desired location for the hitter. This brings anticipation into a hitter’s technique, as the athlete must now time the arm swing to stride, load, and swing. Coach needs to stand behind an L-screen, with the tall part protecting the body. Strikes are virtually guaranteed, which means the athletes can quickly get swings and the drill can move along. There are three main execution variables: Format – Drill can be run in a cage, bullpen, open grass area… virtually anywhere. Location – Soft Toss allows for ball to be thrown inside, outside, up or down. Material – Straight forward, freezes (take arm back and fake a toss), change-up toss (higher ball flight, unexpected to the batter) DC KEYS Instruction – Soft toss is appropriate for all hitters. On-deck batter can stride & load in rhythm with coach’s toss. Coaching Opportunity for Success – Don’t need to be hitting coach to keep athletes busy and get swings! Move quickly, involve a couple different rounds of exeuction. Broken Movements – Take the hand back, wait for a stride and load, then continue with toss for athlete swing. Later, when going full speed, mix in a fake toss and freeze! See if the athlete stays “loaded” or lunges forward with the hands and body.
WATER BREAK (5min)
Wiffle Dodgeball is a wacky-fun drill. There's some speed/agility value, but beyond that... we're having fun here. With a keen eye placed on athlete-safety,...Read More
Notes:
EXECUTION – Wiffle Dodgeball uses the existing Warm-Up Box (red, white, and blue cones), although the distances between the cones may be extended. One team competes on each side of the white cones (essentially the “half-court” line) and must stay in their box as the game plays out. Coaches can stand outside of the box (at half-court or on either end) to officiate and supervise the action. Use wiffle balls for safety purposes and establish your own detailed rules. If you have any questions, ask the kids! They are the experts at games like these, and they can decide what is most fun for THEM. Losing team does certain amount of pushups and play again. Suggestion, set the number of pushups as a multiple of how many players are still “alive” on the winning team. DC KEYS Need Loose Arms – This drill involves lots of throwing, often times at high intensity. Make sure athletes are all loose. Watch the Face – Penalties can be issued for high throws. Whatever it takes to keep the kids safe. Balance Teams – Work to balance the teams so competition is relatively fair.