Up-tempo Practice Ideas

quote:

Originally posted by kdog:
I got this drill from the ABCA Coaching Digest many years ago. Best team practice I have. Every phase of the game is worked: Defense - Offense - Baserunning.

The practice is set up like BP and there will be a coach or other player throwing BP using a small screen (using this small screen allows more balls to get up the middle versus the regular "L" screen. You can work on any situation you desire.

Now break your players into four groups: group 1 and 2 will be the 1B, 2B, SS and 3B players and group 3 and 4 will be LF, CF, RF and C players. You will need a player at each positon (if you are from a small school get your best JV players to help you out).

The rotation is as follows:

RD Hit Baserun Defense Defense
1 1 3 2 4
2 2 4 1 3
3 3 1 4 2
4 4 2 3 1

You can see there are four rounds - a group hitting, a group base running and an entire team on defense minus a live pitcher. Create what ever situation you want and work it. I usually rotate the groups every 12 minutes and have 1 out the entire practice (this keeps the coach from always yelling). Now the first 3 min. there is a runner on 1B, the second 3 min. there is a runner on 2B only, the third 3 min. there is a runner on 3B only and the fourth 3 min. there is a runner on 1B and 2B. Again, 1 out the entire practice. After twelve min. the groups rotate as seen in preceeding chart. When the groups rotate they have 20 seconds to get where they need to be and off we go again.

To speed up BP I give each hitter one swing. Either make contact or lose your turn. Now they only swing at strikes.

If you want further info let me know and I will email a power point I have when I presented this at a local clinic.

N Collins, I will e-mail it to you.

This is a great thread! I've used many of these ideas since it started with great results.

We've recently started doing a defensive drill with three tees (inspired after watching Marc Rardin's Championship Drills DVD) that is up-tempo and very effective.  Two tees are set up at home on each side of home plate.  Like double fungo type drills, the tee on the third base side hits to short and first, the tee on right to third and second.  An additional tee is set up on the left/right field foul line and is hit toward center field.  Full buckets of baseballs at each tee.

The players are divided into 4 groups:  two groups of infielders and two groups that include outfielders and catchers. One group of infielders fields ground balls hit off the tees by one of the catcher/outfielder groups, while the other group of outfielders fields ground balls hit by the other group of infielders.  Then the groups switch.

We have our infielders do this routine: 2 min of box, 2 min of throwing to first, and 2 min of double plays.

Our outfielders/catchers: 2 min of one-knee fielding, 2 min of break down fielding, and 2 min of do or die w/ crow hop.

Hitter hit one ball and move to the end of the line of hitters, then rotate back up to the tee.

Can someone e-mail me the power point that KDog has talked about? I would like to master it before I try it. I don't understand all of the angles so I can't use it until I do. My email is rwhitlock@mpsb.us thanks guys!

Could I get the power point that kdog had?

nolanryan34@att.net

thanks!

Equipment – empty ball bucket at first, full ball bucket at home, Coach who can handle a Fungo Bat hitting

Players – 4 infielders (all positions), 5 pitchers, 1 catcher

1. (Pitcher 1)Ground ball to 1^st base 3-1 play.  Pitcher 1 goes to the back of the pitcher line
2. Ground ball to 3^rd base 5-4-3 double play.  Pitcher 2 runs out to the mound
3. Ground ball to pitcher 1-6-3 double play.  Pitcher 2 goes to the back of the pitcher line
4. Ground ball to 2^nd base 4-6-3 double play.  Pitcher 3 runs out to the mound
5. Bunt to pitcher throws to third tag play.  Pitcher 3 goes to the back of the pitcher line
6. Ground ball to Shortstop 6-4-3 double play. 
7. Bunt to Catcher throws to first.  Pitcher 4 runs out to the mound
8. Ground ball to 1^st base 3-6-1 double play.  Pitcher 4 goes in back of line.  Pitcher 5 to mound
9. Infield in, ground ball randomly infielder throws home catcher throws to first double play

Restart sequence with pitcher 5 starting number 1

Restart sequence with pitcher 4 starting number 1

Restart sequence with pitcher 3 starting number 1

Restart sequence with pitcher 2 starting number 1

20 Minute Drill

Great for inside a large gym.  Usually takes longer for the JV/9th teams. 

20 Minute Drill

Stage 1:

C→3B  Steals          Outfielders  in middle of field rolling DP

P→1B  Pickoffs          balls to SS and at a short pitcher in

SS→2B  Dbl. play feeds          front of plate throwing to catcher for steals. All pitchers have their own ball.

Stage 2:

C→SS  Steals at 2^nd base          Outfielders rolling bunts to 1^st baseman

P→3B  Pickoffs          and at short pitcher throwing to catcher

1B→2B  Bunts to first w/2^nd baseman covering          for steals. The pitchers must move their

line to the 3^rd base side of mound.

Stage 3:

C→1B  Pickoffs back door from plate          Outfielders rolling DP balls to 2^nd , at

2B→SS  Dbl. play feeds          short pitcher for catcher to 1^st pickoffs,

P→3B  Bunts w/pitcher covering left side          and rolling bunts to 3^rd base side for pitchers.

Stage 4:

P→2B/SS pickoffs at 2^nd base          Outfielders rolling bunts to 3^rd baseman

3B→1B Bunt plays to first          and throwing to catchers. Catchers take

C→ Blocking balls/Foul balls/Framing          stage off from throwing.

Stage 5:

1^st and 3^rd defense with C,3B,SS,2B          Outfielders at short pitcher throwing to

Pitchers covering first base on ground ball          C  for 1^st and 3^rd defense, rolling balls to

1^st baseman w/ P covering, and as base runners at 3^rd base. Pitcher line must be on  1^st base side of mound.

Note: All but the feeds for Dbl. plays begin on the pitchers movement. Pitchers should always have a ball

in their hand. Pitcher should always work off the stretch. Outfielders should always have a ball in their

hand.

I apologize for the brutal layout....I'll work on that.

20 Minute Drill

Stage 1:

C→3B  Steals         

P→1B  Pickoffs         

SS→2B  Dbl. play feeds

Outfielders  in middle of field rolling DP balls to SS and at a short pitcher in         

front of plate throwing to catcher for steals. All pitchers have their own ball.

Stage 2:

C→SS  Steals at 2^nd base         

P→3B  Pickoffs         

1B→2B  Bunts to first w/2^nd baseman covering line to the 3^rd base side of mound.

(Outfielders rolling bunts to 1st baseman and at short pitcher throwing to catcher

for steals. The pitchers must move their line.)

Stage 3:

C→1B  Pickoffs back door from plate         

2B→SS  Dbl. play feeds         

P→3B  Bunts w/pitcher covering left side

(Outfielders rolling DP balls to 2nd , at short pitcher for catcher to 1st pickoffs,  

and rolling bunts to 3^rd base side for pitchers.)

Stage 4:

P→2B/SS pickoffs at 2^nd base         

3B→1B Bunt plays to first         

C→ Blocking balls/Foul balls/Framing          .

(Outfielders rolling bunts to 3rd baseman and throwing to catchers. Catchers take

stage off from throwing.)

Stage 5:

1^st and 3^rd defense with C,3B,SS,2B         

Pitchers covering first base on ground ball

(C  for 1st and 3rd defense, rolling balls to

1st baseman w/ P covering, and as base runners at 3rd base. Pitcher line on 1st base side of mound.)

Note: All but the feeds for Dbl. plays begin on the pitchers movement. Pitchers should always have a ball

in their hand. Pitcher should always work off the stretch. Outfielders should always have a ball in their

hand.

Suggestions:

Stage 6:   Bunt coverage to all bases with outfielders rolling bunts and running bases.

Stage 7:   Pitcher PFP to all bases with outfielders running bases.

Stage 8:   Pop ups on infield. Communication.

Depending on gym size, these can be somewhat chaotic.  Make sure you emphasize being alert and paying attention!

KDog...if you are still around I would like a copy of the PP you mentioned...much appreciated!

rpwhales11@hotmail.com

I wanted to revive this gem! So many great ideas in here that I've been using for a couple of years. 

Let's add on any new ideas we may have come up with.

Great idea, ironhorse.  Our program has used many of these drills since this thread originated (as a matter of fact validation BP is on the practice plan today) and I've love to see it take off again.

One of my favorite up tempo/competitive BP's is called "Six Outs BP".  It is detailed in Andy Lopez's book Coaching Baseball Successfully and goes like this:

Set Up:  Players should be divided up fairly equally into 3-4 hitting groups.  They will compete against the other groups so in order for the drill to be competitive the groups need to be as equal as possible.  Players not hitting should be at their defensive position and the defense should be two deep at each position (excluding pitchers and catchers).  Coaches throw BP.

The Routine:  

1) Each group's goal is to hit for as long as possible.  The timer/stopwatch will start when the first pitch is thrown and continue until the group makes six consecutive outs.  We don't make our players run the ball out (but you certainly can) - but we do use a "play" stopwatch and infielders must have the ball to first under the minimum time or the ball is considered an infield hit. 

2) The outs build up until a player gets a hit and the outs reset at zero.  If the group makes 6 consecutive outs the watch stops and the groups total time is recorded. The next  group will then take their turn and this continues until all groups have hit.

3) We give each group an equal number of rounds to hit (usually three).

4) After 5 minutes the coach throwing BP will mix his pitches up to make it more challenging on the group hitting.

5) Any ball that hits the L screen on a line or one hop is considered a hit.

6) Some days we play the highest single round wins and on other days the winners will have the highest cumulative total.

7) Winning team gets a prize (sports drinks, gum/candy, etc.)

This BP is extremely competitive and fun for the players.  You will see great effort from your defense because they want to get the hitting group out of the cage ASAP.  You'll have to keep an eye on the defense to make sure the "appropriate" player makes the player (if we don't watch ours there will be six "live" outfielders!).

Awesome. We scrimmage today, but I'll be using that one tomorrow. 4-man scrimmage has become a staple, so that will be a good way to mix it up.  I can use basically my same groups and roll with 6-outs.

Thanks, man. Keep em comin.

Same here...rappstarsbaseball@gmail.com

If KDog is not here anyone else who may have got a copy from him I would greatly appreciate.

Same for me, if anybody has KDogs e-mail info please send it to me.

nolanryan34@att.net