Scrimmage Ideas in practice
- Thread starter lynx
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Assuming you have a coach that is capable of simulating high school pitching... Split the 12 players into 3 groups of 4. One group is up to bat. This always gives you someone to bat even if the bases are loaded. Have the other two groups in the field. Along with the coach/pitcher, that gives you 9 players to cover the positions. Play to 3 outs, empty the bases, and play to 3 outs a second time. Once the second simulated inning ends, move the hitting group to the field and replace with one of the other two groups. Rinse and repeat... Each of the coaches can help instruct the fielders and runners regarding situations. Where do I throw the ball? Who is responsible for backing up? When can i take an extra base? Etc., etc. I have used a similar process with my travel teams for years and it seems to help prepare them for game situations. Much better then them standing there and me hitting ground balls to them. Good luck in playoffs!
We do the above. But I cannot simulate good high school pitching...so I pitch from about 25-feet and behind a protective screen. If a batted ball hits the screen, we just play it.
We use the above scenario, and timed sessions. The hitting group hits for 7-9 minutes. Clear the bases each time the defense gets 3 outs. The group who scores the most runs wins. You can choose a reward for the winner/consequences for the losers. It's also a sneaky conditioning exercise because they will pack in quite a bit of base running. We use a coach to pitch so don't allow bunts and use coach's judgement on a ball that hits the screen.
- Jun 1, 2015
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I try to end some of my practices with something I call "The Hitting Game". It's every girl for herself BUT the defense acts like a unit.
Scenario: Every girl at a defensive position (minus catcher, unless there's enough girls), 1 batter. Coach does side-toss pitching.
Girl gets 5 fair ball hits - infield hits go to 1B, outfield hits go to 2B (defense simulates start of an inning).
- Ground ball outs to 1B = 0 points
- Ground ball into the outfield (past dirt/grass line) = 1 point.
- Ground ball past closest outfielder = 2 points.
Total the points after 5 fair ball hits. 6th hit is LIVE (batter runs).
- Each base the batter safely makes multiplies the total by that amount (e.g. 6 points + a double = 12 points).
- If the runner is out at any point on their live hit, they lose everything. Gives the girls incentive to identify where the ball is AND safely reach a base.
My girls LOVE this drill - winner either chooses a prize for herself (doesn't have to pick up gear, etc) OR a punishment for the others (running, pushups, etc.)
Scenario: Every girl at a defensive position (minus catcher, unless there's enough girls), 1 batter. Coach does side-toss pitching.
Girl gets 5 fair ball hits - infield hits go to 1B, outfield hits go to 2B (defense simulates start of an inning).
- Ground ball outs to 1B = 0 points
- Ground ball into the outfield (past dirt/grass line) = 1 point.
- Ground ball past closest outfielder = 2 points.
Total the points after 5 fair ball hits. 6th hit is LIVE (batter runs).
- Each base the batter safely makes multiplies the total by that amount (e.g. 6 points + a double = 12 points).
- If the runner is out at any point on their live hit, they lose everything. Gives the girls incentive to identify where the ball is AND safely reach a base.
My girls LOVE this drill - winner either chooses a prize for herself (doesn't have to pick up gear, etc) OR a punishment for the others (running, pushups, etc.)
