Once your team has gotten used to being outdoors, it’s now time to focus on getting them game ready, that means going over game situations and scenarios. Depending on the age of your team will determine the different types of scenarios that you will want to practice. The older the team, the more intricate you can get.
Different types of game situations are:
- Bunt defense
- 1st and 3rd defense
- 1st and 3rd offense
- Pickoffs
- Cut-offs and relays
- Tagging up
- Runners on base
- Backing up the play
More often than not, one set play for each situation is easiest for kids to comprehend. If they can master one play in each situation, you have done your job. The one thing you need to have the players understand, is the situation before the play occurs. That is the hardest part.
For instance, your team on offense, man on 3rd, fly ball to any field. The runner at 3rd needs to know one thing, tag up.
Man on 1st and 3rd, your team on defense, runner on 1st steals. Catcher holds the ball, throws back to pitcher and holds runner at 3rd.
Man on 2nd, your team on defense, base hit to left field. 3rd baseman (or pitcher) is cutoff and left fielder throws ball to cut off man.
Try and keep it as simple as possible. But you have to practice it and let the players get themselves into position and help them learn the game.
Baseball Zone’s Memberships [1] give parents and coaches access to more information on the fundamentals of hitting, pitching and defense as well as a lot of material on practicing, training and equipment.
Baseball Zone’s Practice Planner [2] makes creating practice plans quick and easy. With over a 150 different drills to choose from, creating a well thought out plan is only a few clicks away.