This is what I use for 10u on up and adjust the number of throws depending on what we need to work on or how much time we have before the game.
With Partners after dynamic warm up (done as a team together, straight lines--takes longer at first, but with 10U team towards the end of the year about 10 minutes).
Wrist Snaps 10 each (up and down line check each player)
Knee Throws 10 each –work on rotation and follow through - Thumb from hip
Knee Throws 10 each –work on rotation and follow through - Thumb from chest
Throwing – step, step, throw (Think about form) 10 each Thumb from hip
Throwing – step, step, throw (Think about form) 10 each Thumb from chest
Long throw – take two steps back after each throw. Follow through should be lower and lower, when they are far enough, take two steps closer until face to face.
Ball Away – Team throwing, 1 player from each line on their turn says BALL AWAY, THROW; another player counts throws; another player counts drops -- work on getting the ball in the away position, receiving ball in front, step up to get throw at a quick pace. Down and back is 1; 10 throws total, push ups for drops (5 for each drop) if team has 0, coach does push ups.
Then pick one of the following: I rotate them in the practice plans. Earlier in the year, I pick one to do at each tournament before the first game. I have a few others, such as around the horn and star drills that I also use. Add 5-10 minutes to above.
Corners (call names out)– three groups of four each. Each group in a square about 30ft apart, work on receiving ball two hands in heel of glove and shifting body weight to throw (clockwise) done very quickly (10 x). Reverse direction (counter clockwise), work on turning to glove side. Move in closer and work on tosses, underhand, reverse to work on backhand toss.
Relay (contest)- Three or more players are spaced up to 50 feet apart from each other. Players make relay throws to each other being sure to turn towards the glove side as they throw to the next player in line. Last person turns glove side all the way around and throws back to the player she received the ball from and then runs all the to the beginning of the line, everyone moves back one place and the throws continues until back to the beginning, players sit when ball comes back to the beginning. First team to sit down wins. Winner picks game to do at the end of practice.
Roll and go. Form a Square with 4 players: Player with ball rolls grounder to glove side calling their name: "Fielder throws ball to player diagonally across and calls name. Keep going.
Quick hands and feet (contest) – Partner about 20ft apart, make a quick-short toss to partner who works on shuffling feet and at the same time catching ball on the outside of glove with both hands 10 throws (each throw counts) counting out loud, first team to sit down wins. Winner picks game to do at the end of practice.
Throw and go. Works best with uneven number. Partners across. To begin, extra player is at the end of the line (with no partner). Players throw in RHYTHM (should only hear the sound of one ball hitting gloves) after the throw players in the line with extra player rotate to next partner (to right) player at the end races to front of line (behind the line of throwers) in time to catch throw from line that doesn’t move. Go until back to the beginning.
With Partners after dynamic warm up (done as a team together, straight lines--takes longer at first, but with 10U team towards the end of the year about 10 minutes).
Wrist Snaps 10 each (up and down line check each player)
Knee Throws 10 each –work on rotation and follow through - Thumb from hip
Knee Throws 10 each –work on rotation and follow through - Thumb from chest
Throwing – step, step, throw (Think about form) 10 each Thumb from hip
Throwing – step, step, throw (Think about form) 10 each Thumb from chest
Long throw – take two steps back after each throw. Follow through should be lower and lower, when they are far enough, take two steps closer until face to face.
Ball Away – Team throwing, 1 player from each line on their turn says BALL AWAY, THROW; another player counts throws; another player counts drops -- work on getting the ball in the away position, receiving ball in front, step up to get throw at a quick pace. Down and back is 1; 10 throws total, push ups for drops (5 for each drop) if team has 0, coach does push ups.
Then pick one of the following: I rotate them in the practice plans. Earlier in the year, I pick one to do at each tournament before the first game. I have a few others, such as around the horn and star drills that I also use. Add 5-10 minutes to above.
Corners (call names out)– three groups of four each. Each group in a square about 30ft apart, work on receiving ball two hands in heel of glove and shifting body weight to throw (clockwise) done very quickly (10 x). Reverse direction (counter clockwise), work on turning to glove side. Move in closer and work on tosses, underhand, reverse to work on backhand toss.
Relay (contest)- Three or more players are spaced up to 50 feet apart from each other. Players make relay throws to each other being sure to turn towards the glove side as they throw to the next player in line. Last person turns glove side all the way around and throws back to the player she received the ball from and then runs all the to the beginning of the line, everyone moves back one place and the throws continues until back to the beginning, players sit when ball comes back to the beginning. First team to sit down wins. Winner picks game to do at the end of practice.
Roll and go. Form a Square with 4 players: Player with ball rolls grounder to glove side calling their name: "Fielder throws ball to player diagonally across and calls name. Keep going.
Quick hands and feet (contest) – Partner about 20ft apart, make a quick-short toss to partner who works on shuffling feet and at the same time catching ball on the outside of glove with both hands 10 throws (each throw counts) counting out loud, first team to sit down wins. Winner picks game to do at the end of practice.
Throw and go. Works best with uneven number. Partners across. To begin, extra player is at the end of the line (with no partner). Players throw in RHYTHM (should only hear the sound of one ball hitting gloves) after the throw players in the line with extra player rotate to next partner (to right) player at the end races to front of line (behind the line of throwers) in time to catch throw from line that doesn’t move. Go until back to the beginning.
