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We do what I call "Routines" every day. They consist of 8 five-minute quick stations and the kids rotate through each with a partner. It takes about 45 minutes to do, but I think it incorporates a lot of the drill work we want to instill in our players. Partners are determined by me and usually are based on players of similar defensive positioning.
Here are the routines (we number each one):
1- quick toss
*We call it quick toss instead of soft toss because I want the players to snap the ball into the zone to develop quick hands. They do this into a drop net.
2- tee work
*Each player takes as many swings as they can in the 5 minutes, working on driving the ball on a line into the net. They also work on inside/outside pitches, depending on their needs.
3- Cage hitting (fastballs)
*Regular hitting - high speed, working on driving the ball gap-to-gap.
4 - Cage hitting (curveballs)
*We are fortunate to have two machines and two cages, so this one is set with curveballs. Players work on staying balanced and driving the ball to the opposite field with power.
5- Glove work
*In the outfield/infield (depending on the position of the partners), players get a lightning round of grounders/flyballs hit by one of our coaches. We emphasize attacking the ball, proper footwork, and agility - players are pretty tired when this one ends.
6 & 7 (combined station) - Plyos
*1/2 of the station is using jump ropes and/or the ladders to improve quickness. The other 1/2 is working with medicine balls to improve core strength. Each group of 2 goes through each 1/2 of this routine...so they will be in this area for a total of 10 minutes.
8 - Bunting
*Players work on SAC, suicide, and bunt for hit to all sides of the field. We also try to make sure they get their tubing in during this station.
*******Coach - hope this helps. I really like these routines because it gives the players a regular "routine", if you will, to follow and also allows the coaches to have some time to talk over the daily agenda. My practices are very structured and organized, and I incorporate all my coaches in some capacity in everything that we do.
I use to coach at a small school without the facilities I have now, so if you are interested in what adjustments I had to make to these routines back then, I'd be happy to help.
