7 Tips for Effective Team Defensive Work in Practice
A Strategic Approach and Plan to Improve Your Baseball or Softball Team’s Defensive Game
Need help with some practice plans to improve your baseball or softball team’s defense? Here are some tips and ideas…
By Ty Jacobs, HitStreak
As far as defensive consistency goes in baseball and softball, it's something players need to do A LOT until it becomes second nature! Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes permanent so good, effective defensive reps matter. So, how can you optimize your practice plans to build in some good routines and high reps in a relatively short amount of time?
A lot of times when a team struggles defensively, it usually comes down to details and them being focused and in the right mindset. Here are some ideas and drills to do throughout the season to help avoid defensive struggles and start making plays around the diamond:
1. For Outfielders
Lots of fly balls and ground balls. Focus on them getting good jumps, hustling to get behind the ball and have their momentum coming forward as they catch and field the ball. A lot of times, outfielders will "drift" to a ball or not get there as quickly as they can. Make sure to stay on top of them about getting behind the ball as quickly as possible, chopping their feet and staying in motion as they wait, and then work through the ball with momentum as they make the play.
There are also drills you can do without hitting fungos. For example, you can have them chop your feet and roll a ball to them and have them step through the ball as they field and get into a good throwing position. You can also have them start on one leg (in a stork/flamingo position) and stand just to the side of them. Hold a ball high up in one hand, and drop the ball, forcing them to time up their step with fielding and working through the ball as it hits the ground! You can also have them chop their feet, throw a ball in the air, and have them time up working through the ball with their momentum and catching it high, and work on transfers and getting to a good throwing position. A fun one to try is have them start facing with their back turned to you, throw a ball in the air and – when it gets to its highest point – yell "BALL" and then they have to turn around and find it and react to catching it!
2. Infielders: 4 Corners Throws
You can start some days with catchers and infielders just throwing. We'll have a coach throwing short "pitches" to the catcher, and have the catcher throw it to first. The 1B then spins and throws it to the SS at second, he'll put a tag down, flip it to the second baseman, who throws it to third. He'll put a tag down then spin and throw home, and we'll go again with our second catcher or again with the same catcher. We'll do a few rounds to first, then we'll switch and throw to 2B with the catchers. The 2B will receive and put a tag down, then flip it to SS who throws to 1B, who then throws it across to third and back in. Then we throw to 3B after a few rounds to second, and then he throws to second and they turn a normal double play to first and back in. We do this a few times a week and – in just 10-15 minutes – each kid gets a bunch of game-like "position throws" in. We put emphasis on making good throws and getting their feet moving before the ball gets to them so they can be quick!
3. Short Work
You can spend 10-15 minutes having a coach roll balls to SS/2B and have them work feeds to 2B (flips if closer to the bag, throws if further away, working on footwork, feeds, receiving, transfers). The 3B can field slow rollers, back hands, forehands with another coach/parent, and 1B can work on picks and footwork during this time. No throws.
4. Two-Bat Infield
You can do a two-bat infield some days. One coach hitting to 3B throwing to a 1B 10 feet up the line or so (between 1B and home), and then the middle guys (SS and 2B) turning double plays, throwing to the normal bag (ALL at the same time as 3B is working). Then after a few rounds, the SS's can throw to 1B up the line, and 3B can turn double plays with 2B throwing to the normal base. Then you can hit to 1B and have them turn double plays with the SS's at the end. This keeps everyone busy and maximizes reps in a short amount of time.
5. Flat gloves/Pancake Gloves
Although there is an expense involved here, these are a big gamechanger! Working in some flat/pancake gloves seems to get the kids to go back to the fundamentals. We like to use the KK ones or the pancakes from Valle (link here to purchase), but any "flat/pancake" glove will work. These force players to field with two hands, move to the ball on feeds and flips, and clean up actions defensively for infielders because they can't get away with reaching for the ball or fielding it one handed, which slows us down on the infield. More: 3 Benefits of Practicing with Flat Gloves
6. IOU Mindset/Pre-Pitch Planning
Have players think "I-O-U" before each pitch when on defense.
What do I do in my position if it's hit to the INFIELD (I)?
What do I do in my position if its hit to the OUTFIELD (O)?
What do I do if it's hit to YOU (U)?
The last one can be broken down a little more if they're advanced (if it's hit to my right, left, short, deep, on the ground, in the air, etc.) This will help them stay engaged between pitches as well and not having to "think" as the play goes on. They'll already be prepared and know where they're going once the ball is hit!
7. 21 Outs
Some days we'll do "21 Outs" and have the full team on defense in their positions, and a coach hitting random balls just like a game. The coach calls out the situation before each time they hit, and the team progresses through fielding balls and making plays for 21 outs (the equivalent to a 7-inning game). Each time the team gets 3 outs, they reset at nobody on base, nobody out, and continue with the next inning until all 7 innings are complete. To up the stakes a bit, each time they make an error, you can restart back at 0 outs in the first inning until they can go a whole "game" clean. For younger teams, you can revert back just one inning (or do push-ups, etc.) each error rather than restarting. This gets them to lock in each pitch and expect the ball to be hit to them and be ready to make the play!
A lot of defense comes from you as coaches/parents holding the players accountable with their little actions, Good footwork, using two hands, making good throws are essential to continued defensive success. The more reps the better and these drills, tips and practice plans will help players of all ages and ability levels stay engaged.
No matter the age or skill level, you can have your team ready for game action by preparing them in practice.
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