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This drill
helps improve fielding, throwing and base running. It also helps
the fielder become aware of base runners and base runners aware of
what to do when heading to a base where the ball is being thrown.
Please remember to have the base runners ALWAYS wear their helmets
when running the bases.
Note:
We play this drill between second and third, but you could play
this between two bases anywhere on the field. Also, with younger
players, we start this drill on grass so they get comfortable with
sliding.
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1.
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Divide
the team into two groups (this could also be done with a
smaller number of players as another group is working with
a coach on a different skill) and form two parallel lines
to the right of second base toward right field, one for
fielders and one for base runners. |
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2.
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Select
two fielders, one to play at SS and one to play at 3B, and
position them appropriately. |
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3.
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Place
a runner at 2B (wearing a helmet) and have the coach
hitting or throwing the ball stand between home and the
pitching rubber. Depending upon the league you play in,
start the runner on the base or with a lead off. |
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4.
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Either
on the coaches command or when the ball is hit, the runner
takes off toward 3B and the ball is hit on the ground to
the fielder at SS. |
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5.
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The
SS fields the ball and throws to 3B. The fielder at 3B
catches the ball and applies a tag as the runner comes in. |
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The object
for the runner is to get safely to the bag (either by sliding or
stopping on the bag - not over running it), and the object for the
fielder is to get the runner out.
The coach
should time the hitting or throwing of the ball so that the play
at third is close. After the runner gets to third and the ball is
thrown, the runner resets back to second and the drill goes again.
Each runner
and fielder gets two chances, then the fielders and runners
rotate: SS to 3B, 3B to the back of the runner line, the runner to
back of the fielding line. The first in line of the fielders moves
to SS and the first in line of the runners puts on a helmet and
moves to 2B. Depending on time, we would run the players two or
three times through this drill. As they got better, we added a
wrinkle or two by either hitting the ball to the fielder at 3B and
have them throw to the SS covering 2B making the runner go back to
2B, or occasionally hitting the ball in the air to either the SS
or 3B, sending the runner back to 2B. If the ball gets past the
fielder, then the runner advances so the girls get used to
advancing on a mis-played ball. The wrinkle helped both the runner
and the fielder become more aware of where the ball was and what
to do in a given situation.
This was one
of our best drills and the players really started to improve when
they figured out what they were doing. This was also a good
"spirit" drill as we had the girls cheer on either the
fielder or the runner, depending upon the line they were in.
Good luck
and have fun!
This tip was
contributed by Evan Kirschner
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