Looking for a way to improve your team in all phases of the game? Here's an easy practice drill perfect for maximizing your team's overall skill level.
The Aim of the Drill
This drill works on every aspect of the game--hitting, fielding, throwing, baserunning and requires two teams of five players. (It can be played with six players or more but each player scores for herself.)
One team takes the field at 1b,2b,ss,3b, and c. The other team is at bat.
How the Drill Works
The batter hits a ground ball (from a tee, soft toss, or just toss the ball up and hit it). Fly balls are outs.
An infielder catches the ball and throws to 1b. 1b then throws to one of the other infielders. That fielder throws back to 1b. 1b then throws to the other infielder (who hasn't touched the ball) who throws back to 1b. The ball then goes around the horn (1b to ss to 2b to 3b) and then to the catcher.
Rules of the Drill
Each fielder must touch her base before throwing except for around the horn and home. If the batter-runner can run all the way home before the ball gets home, one run scores.
If the ball gets home first, one putout is made. Fielders rotate one position clockwise and next batter hits; each fielder has caught three balls and made three throws.
Every catch and throw must be accurate or a run scores. Bat until three outs are made and change sides. Batters need to wear helmets. Play 3-7 innings. With more than 10 players - Fielders can rotate in at 3b.
Here's a simple checklist for how this drill operates:
- Ball hit to 3rd
- 3b catches batted ball, steps on 3rd, throws to 1b
- 1b catches ball, steps on 1st, throws to ss
- ss catches ball, steps on 2nd, throws to 1b
- 1b catches ball, steps on 1st, throws to 2b
- 2b throws to 1b (now around the horn)
- 1b throws to ss
- ss throws to 2b
- 2b throws to 3b
- 3b throws to c and c steps on home plate