Baseball: Dynamic Drills

Baseball requires quick decision-making as well as basic physical strength and agility. Even slower players can excel however, since a lot depends on where the ball is hit, how far it goes and when the player chooses to run. Learning how to make solid judgment calls throughout the game transforms a good player into a great one. Dynamic drills that focus on these types of split-second decisions will help develop those skills.

  1. Sliding

    • Set up a player on first base and have him sprint to second base. Just before he gets to the base, toss the ball to the second baseman, forcing the runner to slide. Coach the runner to sprint with his head down and dive in for the slide with both hands outstretched. The objective is for him to touch the base with his hands before the second baseman catches the ball.

    Calling it in the Air

    • When a fly ball is hit into the outfield, players must communicate to decide who is going to catch it. It is natural for players to look up and follow the ball when it is hit high, but this means they are not paying attention to each other. Communication will help them avoid a collision, while making sure the ball gets caught. Pick an imaginary line between the players. Each player is responsible for balls on his side of the line. If the ball is right down the middle, the first one to call it makes the catch.

    Throw to the Cutoff Man

    • When a ball is hit far into the outfield, the player who fields the ball will need to utilize the cutoff man, an infielder who positions himself between the outfielder and the base where the ball needs to go. Practice using the cutoff man dynamically by positioning players in the infield and outfield. Start with a long ball to right field and position the cutoff man between the outfield and first base. Use a runner and see how quickly the players can get the ball to first. Repeat this drill for second base, third base and home.

    Dynamic Base Run

    • Practice running bases as quickly and efficiently as possible. Use a ball machine to launch the ball into the outfield, as if the hitter just hit an inside-the-park home run. Use a stopwatch to time the runner, and position players in the outfield to field the ball and put pressure on the runner as he rounds the bases. Make sure the runner starts with a bat in his hand so that he can practice dropping the bat before he starts to run.