AA and AAA DEVELOPMENTAL Leagues – 2007
“SKILLS and DRILLS”
Contact Numbers
1. Bill Cervenak, Chairman VLL cell phone 703-966-9566
2. Nottoway Park field ops 703-938-7532
3. Glyndon Park field ops 703-255-6360
4. VLL Voice Mail 703-573-3339
5. Yeonas Snack Bar 703-573-4285
6. AAA Director see www.vll.org
7. AA Director see www.vll.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 6
2. Instructional Information Resources/Bibliography 6
Books 7
Websites 7
3. Coaching a AA or AAA Team 8
3.1 Philosophy 8
3.2 Environment 8
3.3 Practices/Games 8
3.4 Communicating with Umpires 9
4. Practice Management and Organization 9
90-minute Practice example: 10
Team Meeting Discussions 11
Situational Infield and Outfield Drills: 11
Pitchers and Catchers Positional Drills: 12
5. Basics of Catching a Baseball 12
Skills/Behaviors to teach and/or reinforce regularly 12
Basics of Catching/Receiving the ball: 12
Catching Drills: 13
1. Quick Hands Cover Drill: 13
2. Square Drill (variations): 13
3. Short Catch drill: 13
4. “Coach Catch”: 14
6. Basics of Throwing 14
Skills/Behaviors to teach and/or reinforce regularly. 14
Basics of Throwing the ball: 14
Throwing Drills: 15
1. ‘Flip’ drill: 15
2. ‘Form Throw or one knee drill’ drill: 16
3. Form Throw Standing (a little more difficult): 16
4. ‘Throw’ Drill: 16
5. Long Toss Drill: 16
6. Short Accuracy Drill: 16
7. Target Practice Drill: 16
8. Rocket Relay Drill: 17
9. Around the Horn Drill: 17
10. Quick Throw Drill: 17
7. Fielding Ground Balls 18
Skills/Behaviors to teach and/or reinforce regularly. 18
Ground Ball Drills 18
1. Bare Hands Drill: 18
2. Dive Ball Drill: 19
3. Backhand Drill: 19
4. Short Hop Drill: 19
5. Basic Grounder Practice: 19
6. “Get an out” Infield Practice: 20
7. Water Balloon Soft Hands Drill: 20
8. Fielding Pop-Ups and Fly Balls 20
Fundamental Skills/Behaviors to teach and/or reinforce regularly 20
Suggested simple drills to teach/reinforce these skills/behaviors 21
1. Scissors Crossover Running Drill: 21
2. Header Drill: 22
3. Pop-ups Without Gloves: 22
4. Pop-ups With Gloves: 22
5. Drop Step and Run Drill: 22
6. Fly ball Practice: 22
7. “Ball” drill: 23
8. “Over the shoulder” drill: 23
9. Outfield Fly Ball in Positions drill: 23
10. Infield Pop-up in Positions drill: 23
9. Base Running 24
Basics of Running the Bases 24
Fundamental Skills/Behaviors to teach and practice 24
1. Home to First drill: 25
2. Cone Drill (or Home to Second): 25
3. Lap Drill: 25
4. First to Third Drill: 25
5. Tag Team Race Drill: 26
6. Tag Up Drill: 26
Sliding 26
Basics of sliding: 26
Suggested Sliding drills: 27
1. ‘Slippery Slide’ drill: 27
2. ‘Base’ Drill: 27
3. “Tag Out” Drill: 27
4. Incorporate sliding into some of the base running drills: 27
5. Incorporate runners sliding into bases with some of the infield and outfield situational drills 28
Stealing a Base 28
Key points to Emphasize: 28
Basic Stealing Drills 28
1. “First to Second Steal” Drill: 28
2. “Second to Third Steal” Drill: 29
3. ‘Hot Box’ Drill: 29
Base Running - Situational 30
Infield Fly Rule: 30
From 1st base: 30
From second base with a runner on first: 30
From Second base, with no one on base: 30
From Third base 31
Drills to Teaching these situations: 32
10. Hitting 32
Basics of Hitting 32
Hitting Drills 34
1. Rotation drill, with or without balls 35
2. Soft Toss drill (one ball or two balls or numbered tennis balls) 35
3. Tee drill 36
4. Swing Stick / Hitting Stick 36
5. Wild Pitch drill 36
6. Plastic golf ball/waffle ball practice 36
7. One handed swing drill (bottom and/or top hand) 36
8. Swing from one knee drill 36
Bunting 36
Bunting Drills 37
1. Up Down drill: 37
2. Short Toss Bunt drill: 38
3. “Between the Cones” drill: 38
11. Pitching 38
Pitching Fundamentals 39
Pitching Drills 40
1. Knee Lift/Balance drill 41
2. Towel drill 41
3. One Knee drill 41
4. Flex ‘T’ drill 41
5. Mirror drill: 41
12. Catching 41
Basics of the Catcher position: 42
A. Stance: 42
B. Body Position: 42
C. Glove Position: 42
D. Bare hand: 42
E. Receiving (catching with the glove) the ball 43
F. “Blocking the ball” 43
G. Game Awareness and Communication: 43
H. Throwing to a base: 44
I. Tag Plays at the Plate: 44
J. Blocking the Plate: 44
Catching Drills 44
1. Up / Down Drill: 44
2. Line Up Drill: 44
3. Throw to Second Drill: 44
4. Wild Pitch Slide drill: 45
13. Baseball Situations 45
Baseball Situations - Infield 45
Infield Situation Drills 45
1. Bunt Defense Drills: 45
2. Force Outs Situation Drills: 46
3. “Get an Out” drill: 46
4. Pitcher Cover First base: 46
5. Cover Home drill: 46
6. Hot Box or Delayed Steal Defense: 46
Baseball Situations - Outfield 47
Three main rules to teach outfielders: 47
Cut-offs: 47
Outfield Situational Drills: 48
Two Bases in Front Runner Drill: 48
14. Fun Scrimmages or Quick Games 48
Examples of fun scrimmages/games: 48
AA and AAA Manager’s “Skills and Drills” Handbook Page 3 of 49
1. Introduction
The intent of the following information is to summarize the fundamental baseball skills, which should be learned by all minor league players before they reach the “Majors”. Also, included in this information are several sample drills, which will help teach or reinforce these fundamental skills. Thus, this information is called “Skills and Drills”.
“Skills and Drills” starts out rather basic and fundamental; and progresses into some more difficult/complicated aspects. But, the emphasis is on establishing very strong fundamentals at the AA and AAA level. Based on past experience, these years in AA and AAA are the most critical in terms of developing good, strong fundamentals. And good habits at this age will make baseball much more enjoyable down the road. Once bad habits set in, they are difficult to change. Also, boys at this age are now old enough, with longer attention spans, to learn in a normal practice environment and longer duration.
Lastly, there are a couple very important points to highlight when it comes to teaching baseball skills at this age level:
Practices should be organized; so come with a plan and maintain control.
Practices can be and should be enjoyable learning experiences.
Practices should be action oriented
Practices should be efficient:
Meaning maximize parental involvement to coach various ‘stations’ to get more done in any given period of time. This means more ‘reps’ for each player at each practice, and more reps usually results in better performance and more enthusiastic players. Part of the ‘fun’ comes from being successful, which takes lots of ‘touches/reps’.
2. Instructional Information Resources/Bibliography
This “Skills and Drills” information is, by design, a brief summarization of baseball instructional information. Thus, this is not intended to cover each and all topics as thoroughly as possible. So, for more detailed information on any of these topics or for different drills, it is suggested you refer to various baseball instructional resources.
There are many, many, books and websites which contain excellent baseball instructional information. Here are the resources referenced to gather and compile this “Skills and Drills” information.
Books
Virginia Baseball Club, Inc. Youth Coaching Guide: with Teaching points, common problems, skill level objectives. This book can be purchased from VBC in Merrifield and is usually available at VBC’s Positive Coaching Clinic during the preseason.
Coaching the Little League Pitcher. Randy Voorhees. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2003.
Making Little League Baseball More fun for Kids: Featuring 30 Games and Drills Guaranteed to Improve Skills and Attitudes. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2002.
Little League Drills and Strategies: Imaginative Practice Drills. Ned McIntosh and Rich Cropper. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2002.
Youth Baseball Drills. Marty Schupak. Champaign Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2005.
The Hitting Edge. Tom Robson. Champaign Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2003.
Play Baseball the Ripken Way. Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken.. New York: Ballantine Books, 2004.
Websites
http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/instruction/tips/tip.cfm/
http://www.juniorbaseball.com
http://www.HumanKinetics.com
http://homestead.com/youthbaseball_e_zine/
http://www.skylarbaseball.com
http://www.baseballtips.com/
http://www.davislittleleague.org/
http://www.littleleague.org/coachsbox/06jan/smith_grip.htm
http://www.littleleague.org/coachsbox/06jan/groundball.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/nb2/hitting/h-skills.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/brookside/careforglove.htm#buyglove
3. Coaching a AA or AAA Team
3.1 Philosophy
Coaching a AA or AAA team is about player development. It should be done in a constructive, supportive environment, with minimal negativity. Try to build confidence and self-esteem in your players. Maintain control of your emotions. The focus should be on continuous improvement in skills and learning the game. Nevertheless, expect the players to pay attention and to “strive for success” (i.e. try their best)- all the time! Practices can be fun; but they also need to be focused, controlled and training oriented.
3.2 Environment
The boys will learn the most in a controlled, enjoyable, positive environment. Granted, not everything can, nor needs to always be ‘fun’. But the message is that the more enjoyable the experience, the more they will learn and the more likely they will want to come to practices to learn more. Also, there is no need to over emphasize when a player does something wrong or incorrect, unless the player does not understand. If the player does not understand, then calmly explain the proper mechanics, or proper behavior expected. The vast majority of the boys want to do well; and usually know when they have not done well- so yelling at them or “rubbing it in” in some fashion is needless criticism. So, teach them in a positive environment (not criticism), to help them be more successful. And, the team will be more successful too.
3.3 Practices/Games
There is a distinct difference between practices and games. Practices are for teaching and learning; and games are for allowing the boys to demonstrate what they have learned. So, use practices to work on and teach subjects needing attention; and then let the boys play the games with minimal teaching/preaching during the game.
You should develop multiple players at every infield position. And, everyone should get a chance to play in the infield. This is not the age nor the level when there are designated players who only play in the outfield (RF or LF). So, it is recommended that everyone should play in the infield, preferably a minimum of two innings each game. And, if they will be playing in the infield during games, they need to work on these positions during practice.
Also, in terms of who “warms the bench” in a game and who plays, there are VLL rules on playing time. So, be aware of this. It is strongly recommended that this is done as fairly and equitably as possible, over the course of the season- meaning everyone should ‘warm the bench’ the same number of innings over the course of the season – even the best players.
It is recommended that after each game, there be a brief team discussion, no matter if the team won or lost. And, no matter if the team won or lost, make sure to recognize some positive aspects of the game. There is no need, nor benefit, to go over or reinforce “what went wrong”. Just remember these thoughts about what can be improved for the next practice; and then constructively work on it then.
A comment about “winning”: it is obvious that winning is more ‘fun’ than losing. But at the AA and AAA level, most parents want THEIR child to be given a fair chance to stretch themselves, to increase their skills, to improve their confidence and self-esteem, and to have an enjoyable team experience. This is very important to the average little league parent, whether they say so or not. So, please do not over emphasize “winning or losing” in how you manage the team or treat the boys. The emphasis should be on development and continuous improvement.
3.4 Communicating with Umpires
One of the team goals for the season should be to “respect the game”. This phrase can mean different things to different folks, at different times. One of the things this clearly should mean throughout the season is to respect the umpires- no matter what. So, please make it very clear to every player and parent that they are to treat umpires with respect and to never question an umpire’s call. If this message is not clear, then repeat it until it is clear. The only people who should communicate with the umpires are the manager (and possibly coaches). And even with the manager, he should never question or comment on a ‘judgment’ call.
4. Practice Management and Organization
Please design practices so that boys are engaged in a variety of activities and getting the maximum number of “touches” per hour. To do this, you will need to have a plan (script your practice—it only takes a few minutes up front). Every practice should have a specific focus or emphasis. Mix-up the various drills so that they are not doing the same drills at every practice. And, try to turn ‘drills’ into fun, mini-competitions.
Because practice time is precious, avoid “wait time” for your players by enlisting the support of several parents/coaches. Twelve players and four adults fit nicely into 4 stations with 3 players apiece. Change activities every few minutes. Set up a variety of stations to emphasize catching, throwing, fielding grounders, fielding fly balls, hitting, pitching and base running. Practices can take place on almost any patch of green grass. In the absence of a backstop, you might be able to hang a plastic tarp and hit into it and/or a portable net can be very useful as well.
With the availability of ‘batting cage’ time, field practices can and should be more focused on defense. Nevertheless, every practice can include some batting practice, with batting stations being the most efficient use of the designated time.
For practice planning purposes, request the parents to always let you know when their son cannot make it; and, start practices on-time, even if everyone is not there yet.
90-minute Practice example:
A 90-minute Practice example might possibly look something like this:
0-15 min: / Warm-up:Slow run around the field when they arrive;
then a base running drill;
then progressive throwing drills
15- 20 min: / Team Meeting discussion, goals for the practice, etc.
20- 30 min: / Introduce new subject and use a drill to reinforce it
30- 45 min: / Station drills:
Assign boys to coaches at “stations”; rotate everyone through all the stations. Early in the season, the stations might be focused on the ‘basics of catching’ and ‘fielding grounder’ drills. The next practices could be stations for pop-up/fly ball drills; or they could be mixed together, etc., etc.
45 to 50 min: / Water Break
50 to 70 min: / Batting Practice consisting of various ‘stations’ again:
Don’t have 11 of your 12 boys standing around watching 1 kid hit. If you are throwing live BP, realize that this is very time intensive, especially if kids don’t hit the ball well. So, along with live BP have some other stations running simultaneously. These other possible stations could include: Bunting station, soft toss or Tee practice into a net/fence, wild pitch drill, plastic golf ball drill with hit stick, etc., etc. Make sure everyone rotates though all the batting stations
70 to 75 min: / “Target Competition” with two groups, or some other fun competition to determine which group bats first in the scrimmage/fun game
75 to 85 min: / Quick Scrimmage/fun game
85 to 90 min: / Relay Race around the bases; and Closing Team Meeting- closing comments and lastly finish with a ‘team cheer’
Team Meeting Discussions
Suggest that you “book end” your practice with very short “team talks”. To begin with, make sure “all eyes are on the speaker”. Encouraging them to be attentive for just a few minutes before and after practice will help them in all of their team sports.