Drills for indoor workouts

goMO,

My IFs start every practice with their Roll Drill Series. We get into correct fielding position for each situation prior to catching any balls.
1) Front roll -
2) Forehandroll
3) Declared backhand roll (or V Cut)
4) Crossover backhand roll

After that is completed, we then do shorthops on each situation.

We also take a lot of GBs indoors without a glove.

...30X40 feet? that is small. My classroom is larger than that. I guess you can down size your drills to fit the space.

We have found that you can do almost every drill that you do outside, in the gym or indoor facility. Except live fly balls to the outfield, but they can still get drill work on fly balls.

Have tried several things, varied spaces...
1. Throw long, roll short/ roll long throw short. Go around gym one way, then reverse. Divide kids into each corner. Works fielding, throwing, footwork. Pace can also work up a lather! Players follow ball to keep lines even/condition.
2. Roll long, throw across or X if that makes sense. Again reinforce footwork, lengthen throw.
3. Work all short hops, forehands, backhands.
4. Bunt coverages/bunt scrimmage.
5. 1st & 3rd situation
6. Baserunning leads and reads. Can work reading low knees on catcher, steals/pickoffs, going 1st to 3rd on ball hit (often thrown) to right side, tagging on fly balls.
7. Hitting a ball on a rope. Drill hole in through baseball. Put rope through, knot end. Have about 10-15 ft of rope. Player spins in, other hits it.

***Think of all the things that are hard at times to fit into practice, and do them on inside days!

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:
goMO,

My IFs start every practice with their Roll Drill Series. We get into correct fielding position for each situation prior to catching any balls.
1) Front roll -
2) Forehandroll
3) Declared backhand roll (or V Cut)
4) Crossover backhand roll

After that is completed, we then do shorthops on each situation.

We also take a lot of GBs indoors without a glove.

redbird,

Just to clarify a point, when you say you have them in correct position to field prior to catching any balls, do you mean that they're not moving as they field the grounders the coach is rolling to them? I don't think that's what you mean, but I want to be sure. Also, if they are moving, do you have them go through their entire fielding routine including pre pitch movement, attack/approach, field/funnel, and a simulated throw? In other words, can you give a little more detail about you Roll Drill Series?

I am frequently asked about what to do if you have a limited area to practice. My daughter's team practices year around and so, we have very limited space but have developed a routine that seems to work. A part of that routine is listed below. I hope it makes sense. Also, what do others do? I appreciate the fact that the Coach's Forum has really taken off these last few months.

Create 2 areas that face opposite directions. They must be spaced approximately 25 feet apart. In area #1 put a yard stick (young players) or a bat (older players) on the ground 90+ feet from a screen that has markings on it for a target. Have each player in this line have a ball but one. The one that doesn't have a ball goes up and stands beside but at a safe distance from, the screen. Place a ball on the ground about 2 feet in front of the yardstick/bat. The players in this line step forward one at a time as if they are stepping forward into fielding position as the pitcher throws the ball. Then, they charge the ball on the ground. They must step over the yardstick/bat with one foot to "gather the ball in." They don’t actually touch the ball on the ground and, in fact, have a ball already in their gloves. They work on their staggered footwork on fielding the ball, then, they work on their footwork on the throw by now stepping over that yardstick/bat with their back foot, point their lead elbow at their target and throw. The thrower now sprints to the position next to the screen but to the side where they are safe. The person that was standing there picks up that ball and begins to sprint to Area #2. In doing so, the pause, after they are clear of Area #1 and throw a fly ball to the fielder leaving Area #2 to go to Area #1. Over the head catch! Wow is this getting confusing.

Area #2. This is a ground ball station. The player that has entered Area #2 is at the end of the line after they throw a fly ball to the fielder leaving Area #2 to go to Area #1. The first person in line now steps up for a live ground ball. They are expected to field the ball using the technique they worked on in Area #1, set their feet, and throw to a coach who if “shagging” for the coach hitting fungos. We expect every throw to hit the coach with the glove in the chest. After the fielder makes the throw to the coach, they sprint in the direction of Area #1 and look for the fly ball being thrown to them. After they catch the ball, they get into the end of the line for Area #1.

If done properly, this is a good warm up drill.

We then go from this drill into what we call “Double Infield” and then to “Multiple Infield.” I don’t believe in hitting the typical infield where one player fields while the others stand and watch.

Wow, I hope all of this makes sense!

quote:

Originally posted by Emanski's Heroes:
redbird,

Just to clarify a point, when you say you have them in correct position to field prior to catching any balls, do you mean that they're not moving as they field the grounders the coach is rolling to them? I don't think that's what you mean, but I want to be sure. Also, if they are moving, do you have them go through their entire fielding routine including pre pitch movement, attack/approach, field/funnel, and a simulated throw? In other words, can you give a little more detail about you Roll Drill Series?

Sorry for the confusion. The RDS is merely for hands and form. We don't use any footwork here.

You have 2 players partner up about 12'-15' apart and they do 10,20,30 reps each. (Start off at 10 each until they "get it" and can work faster). BUT...before they start each part of the RDS, they must demonstrate proper fielding form/technique to a coach. i.e. - everyone gets into proper fielding form for the ball hit right at them (feet shoulder width apart, butt down, hands out, glove fingers down, top hand fingers up, etc...). We make them stay there for a couple of minutes to feel the burn until everyone is perfect. Then, they can do their drill. After that, they pull a coach aside for forehand, V cut backhand, and crossover backhand so we can check their form before they take any rolled balls.

We have other footwork drills, like bucket drills, etc. This is simply for hands and form.

I have the same problems.

We basically have a basketball court to workout on.

I have a lot of success with this one.

Have 4 or 5 players line up - each player will get 3 balls each turn.

1. I hit 1 "normal" ground ball - the player fields and returns ball to my catcher.

2. My catcher will roll a slow grounder that the fielder charges - fields and returns to catcher.

3. After this, I'll throw a popup behind the fielder and they catch it. I like to alternate which sholder I throw it over or sometimes I'll mix in one directly over their head.

Just make sure that between each ball they assume their proper fielding stances. I also will make them do 10 push ups for each bad throw.

This drill has a good rhythm and the players really get into it because it moves fast and keeps them busy. Sometimes we do an elmination round at the end of practice where the if the player misses the ball or throws it away they are out of the game, and we end up with a few kids battling to be champ.

Jon

Believe it or not I have a decent outfielder drill for inside the gym. I arrange 8 small cones in a large square. (basically 3 rows of 3 but without a middle cone). The cones create a large square shape. Use as much space as you have available. Leave room for the player in the square to make a fairly long throw to a cutoff man.

1 2 3
4 5
6 7 8

Player starts at cone 2 in proper ready position. Coach rolls him a ground ball and he must charge and field using the "nobody on" technique (knee down/keep in front etc). Player fields and throws to a teammate acting as a cutoff man. The player assumes his ready position near cone 7. The coach will lob a fly ball over the players right shoulder towards cone 1. The player works on crossover step and tries to run down ball. If he doesnt catch the ball on the fly he runs it down and returns to cone 1. If he makes the catch, he sets feet and makes a strong throw to cutoff man. Players assumes ready pos. near cone 1. Coach rolls a ground ball towards cone 3 and the player must circle behind it and make a strong crow hop throw toward the cutoff man. Player jogs to cone 6 and Assumes fielding position. Coach lobs ball towards cone 3. Player works on crossover step similar to before, runs down ball, sets feet and makes throw. Player Jogs to cone 2, assumes position. Coach rolls a slow ground ball and player charges in do or die fashion and makes a strong crow hop throw to cutoff man. Player assumes position near cone 7. Coach lobs a ball directly over the players head. Player works on his drop step and attempst to run the ball down with a "willie mays style catch". The drill is over.

This drill is great conditioning and the OF'ers love it because its fun. We arrange competitions once they get the hang of it. The players should know the "order" and "routine" of the drill because that best enables them to properly practice their footwork. It works best with a group of 4-6 players so each boy can go a few times in 10-15 minutes.

For the competition we time them and penalize an extra second for a "drop" or a bad throw. Players are not penalized if a ball is out of reach (as long as the effort is there).