I guess that just goes to show how the game of Baseball is today. The Hitter and The Pitcher will always overshadow The Fielder I guess...
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Kind of makes me mad...feilding is my favorite aspect of the game and no one ever makes topics about it 
Okay then I'll bite: Here is a game we play that I think is good for our overall defense. We call it BASH. We put a dead arm coach (that's me) on the platform about 35 feet from home and I throw meat... the hitters bash the ball and run the bases out like a game. Baserunners are all live... you get one point for a run and two points for a stolen base so there is lots of pressure on the catchers.
We play that there is always nobody out so the double play is always in order. you go thru the lineup 2 or 3 times and then let the other team bat. It puts pressure on our fielders to play balls that are hit hard (because of all that meat I throw).
Okay now... somebody else put up a drill or game you use for defense...
We play that there is always nobody out so the double play is always in order. you go thru the lineup 2 or 3 times and then let the other team bat. It puts pressure on our fielders to play balls that are hit hard (because of all that meat I throw).
Okay now... somebody else put up a drill or game you use for defense...
Nice Post Trojan-skipper!
At the end of each infield routine, I have my infielders make 20 defensive plays in a row without committing an error or a bad throw. This was difficult for them at first, but they caught on quick. It's a great drill because when you get into the teens, no one wants to be the one to send us back to the start, so you have guys diving all over the place and making plays, just as they would in a real game. I'll usually give them points for hustle.
Another drill that my infielders like is the bucket drill. I set a chair and a bucket at first base and our infielders go through our infield progression drills. I have all the infielders line up at third and they take slow rollers without a ball, then with a ball in their glove, then rolled by a coach, then fungoed. Anytime they throw, they have to try to hit the bucket. We then go to short, then second, all with slow rollers, working on our footwork and accuracy. We do the same things for medium hit ground balls and back hand in the same progression. The kids really enjoy trying to hit the bucket and it makes the drill work not as tedious.
What other defensive drills do you guys have?
At the end of each infield routine, I have my infielders make 20 defensive plays in a row without committing an error or a bad throw. This was difficult for them at first, but they caught on quick. It's a great drill because when you get into the teens, no one wants to be the one to send us back to the start, so you have guys diving all over the place and making plays, just as they would in a real game. I'll usually give them points for hustle.
Another drill that my infielders like is the bucket drill. I set a chair and a bucket at first base and our infielders go through our infield progression drills. I have all the infielders line up at third and they take slow rollers without a ball, then with a ball in their glove, then rolled by a coach, then fungoed. Anytime they throw, they have to try to hit the bucket. We then go to short, then second, all with slow rollers, working on our footwork and accuracy. We do the same things for medium hit ground balls and back hand in the same progression. The kids really enjoy trying to hit the bucket and it makes the drill work not as tedious.
What other defensive drills do you guys have?
Trojan-skipper, great drill the variation I use is a T, saves my dead arm. Some twists I use are the batter has to hit on the ground behind the runner, any line drive that reaches the out field grass is an out. Then I switch it up, and hit ball not reaching the outfield grass is an out.
I slow the players down, roll the ball to them, to get the foot work right around a bag, MIF, then speed things up to game speed once they get the hang of it.
For 1B I have the IF through the ball in the dirt forcing 1st to dig the ball. I tell them to anticipate a bad through.
For ground balls 3 coaches hit, 1 for 3B 1 for SS, 1 for 2B. 2B throws to 1B, 3B throws home and SS throws home to another catcher. Then I change who throws where after 2 minutes.
Last one, 1B throws grounders to IF and they turn double plays, need at least 2 1st basemen for this. 1B throws to 3B then covers the bag, the second 1B stands 10 feet up the line throws home, once the ball is thrown to the initial 1B he throws a grounder to SS and covers as the initial 1B moves toward home and readies to thorough a grounder to 2B, 2 players at each position is ideal. Pretty fast paced once they get the hang of it. I have had parents say it looks like I am running a circus.
I slow the players down, roll the ball to them, to get the foot work right around a bag, MIF, then speed things up to game speed once they get the hang of it.
For 1B I have the IF through the ball in the dirt forcing 1st to dig the ball. I tell them to anticipate a bad through.
For ground balls 3 coaches hit, 1 for 3B 1 for SS, 1 for 2B. 2B throws to 1B, 3B throws home and SS throws home to another catcher. Then I change who throws where after 2 minutes.
Last one, 1B throws grounders to IF and they turn double plays, need at least 2 1st basemen for this. 1B throws to 3B then covers the bag, the second 1B stands 10 feet up the line throws home, once the ball is thrown to the initial 1B he throws a grounder to SS and covers as the initial 1B moves toward home and readies to thorough a grounder to 2B, 2 players at each position is ideal. Pretty fast paced once they get the hang of it. I have had parents say it looks like I am running a circus.
YK, I am disgusted by the number of college players I see who lack decent defensive fundamentals. E.g., can't execute a turn & sprint, poor grounder fielding fundamentals, catchers who don't block, fielders not doing their assignments and backups, etc.
The stick will always win over the glove. But that is no excuse, IMHO, for not teaching those who swing the big bats sound defensive fundamentals. It isn't rocket science, after all...
The stick will always win over the glove. But that is no excuse, IMHO, for not teaching those who swing the big bats sound defensive fundamentals. It isn't rocket science, after all...
This is one reason why the Japanese continue to excel at every level of play. Their fundementals are flawless and their fielding skills are incredible.
I believe that defense is the most important aspect of the game. If you cant stop someone, you wont win. I spend alot of time, especially pre-season working on fielding fundamentals. Besides everyone loves a web gem.