End of practice conditioning

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Jan 3, 2019
85
18
Florida
Looking for what, if any, kind of conditioning drills you all are using at the end of your practices. I've been coaching a 12u team and this spring we're getting them ready to make the transition to 14's. We've had them running M-drills after practice, but we're looking to incorporate some more drills. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
 
Feb 26, 2018
328
28
Our coach has the girls line up, simulate a leadoff and then dive back to the line on a "pickoff" attempt, then a sprint to another line "2nd". It does a pretty good job getting them moving and also works on their baserunning.
 

NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
We pull out the first row of the bleachers (gym practices) and the players line up facing them height is about 16" from the floor. They then do step ups. Right leg up onto step, left leg up onto step, right leg down to floor, left leg down to floor. Rest for a minute and repeat 3 sets of 10.

This is followed by some sprints. Since we are in the gym there are numerous lines on the floor to use as length of sprint and back. Divide the players into even teams of 4 or more (please try and make them equal in overall team speed) and have them run to the designated lines and back slapping hands with the next teammate to duplicate the run. 3 progressively longer distances are run with a 1 minute break between them and the winners each get a sport drink and the other teams do 10 pushups.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I don't really do anything that's just straight conditioning. IMO, that's work for the off-season, and if they're not doing it themselves, it's on them.

We usually end practices with different games/competitions that involve a lot of sprinting. They're getting the conditioning in, but it's more fun (for me, especially!) and some of the games actually have them working on softball skills. Some of the games are just variations on different kinds of relay races where even teams with slower players can win if they strategize properly.
 
Jul 17, 2012
175
28
Kenmore, WA
We have never done end of practice conditioning. If we do anything really physically taxing we do it at the beginning of practice so the girls have the feeling of fatigue all practice. We don't do conditioning for the sake getting in better cardiovascular shape, we do speed and agility, and strength work to improve those areas.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
We have never done end of practice conditioning. If we do anything really physically taxing we do it at the beginning of practice so the girls have the feeling of fatigue all practice. We don't do conditioning for the sake getting in better cardiovascular shape, we do speed and agility, and strength work to improve those areas.

Curious to know the rationale behind this.

This is typically not a sport where you have to persevere when tired (I realize this is the case for some travel teams that play a thousand games in terrible heat all weekend long). So I do understand from that standpoint, but otherwise, it just seems like making fatigued players try skills that require precision is going to lead to sloppy mechanics and potentially injury.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
Having the body under duress helps get them ready for game time stress. Having them somewhat fatigued is a proven positive to being able to succeed under pressure. I can’t recall where I’ve read this or when I’ve heard it but it is pretty common. I’d much rather have my players sweating before doing drills than cold. Not only for the muscle benefit but also for the mental benefit.


I also feel like some cardio or whatever during and after practice is good for them. And mainly to be able to push themselves mentally when it gets hard. Only anecdotal evidence but I’ve seen it more than a few times.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
"Have my players sweating" can mean a lot of things, but when I hear "fatigue" I think of a baseball pitcher who has just thrown 120 pitches or a defensive lineman in the 4th quarter after playing the entire game in 90-degree heat. There's a difference between warming up and actually being fatigued, so maybe this is more of a semantic argument than a philosophical one. I see nothing wrong with working them hard, especially to get players to push themselves. I just don't want to encourage sloppy technique because their bodies are too tired to do things properly.

I also don't see much connection between your body being worn out and having a difficult mental situation, though I'd be interested in reading studies on that. I think this could be one of those things that works for some but not others (I'm someone who can easily focus, even in a stressful situation, but adding in fatigue would ultimately be more of a distraction than anything). Others, maybe those who get tight/nervous/excited, maybe could benefit from being a little less than 100%.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I also don't see much connection between your body being worn out and having a difficult mental situation, though I'd be interested in reading studies on that. I think this could be one of those things that works for some but not others (I'm someone who can easily focus, even in a stressful situation, but adding in fatigue would ultimately be more of a distraction than anything). Others, maybe those who get tight/nervous/excited, maybe could benefit from being a little less than 100%.

7th inning, 2 runners on, 1 run lead, 2 outs, 2-2 count. Your pitcher and the opposing team's batter both have elevated heart rates, sweating a little more, physically she feels tighter... The one who has practiced under these conditions has an advantage. Its hard to simulate mental pressure in practice, but you can simulate the physical side afffects.

One of the drills I did with my dd was at the end of her pitching practice we played "pitch and fetch" She had to pitch and then sprint to me to get the ball, sprint back to the pitchers plate and pitch another, run get it... 10-15 pitches and she had to be above 50% strikes. Doesn't sound as hard as it is. By the time she was done she was sweating, her heart was beating faster...

A guy I know once gave me a tip about hunting with a bow, he said to practice by runnng around the barn and then take a shot, do that regularly and then you will learn how to make a shot when your hands are shaking. Same sort of idea.
 
Jan 3, 2019
85
18
Florida
One of the drills I did with my dd was at the end of her pitching practice we played "pitch and fetch" She had to pitch and then sprint to me to get the ball, sprint back to the pitchers plate and pitch another, run get it... 10-15 pitches and she had to be above 50% strikes. Doesn't sound as hard as it is. By the time she was done she was sweating, her heart was beating faster...

That's a great idea, I'll start implenting this with my DD.
 

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