Baseball | Skills Training
WYBS is committed to player development at all ages. On these pages coaches, parents and players will find instructional videos for all skill levels.
Hitting Drills
Setting up the Drill
• Player stands in batters box in hitting position.
• Tee is place on the hitters front hip about waist high so they are making contact out in front of home page.
• Player should swing through and drive ball off tee into netting.
• Move the tee to the inside and outside part of the plate or adjust height of the ball (low & high)
• Keep it moving; 3-5 swings for each player.
Coaching Points
• Swing should be level through the strike zone
• For players with a weaker swing; encourage choking up on the bat.
• Stay balanced
• Keep head still; chin moves from front shoulder to back shoulder)
• Trying to be short and quick to the ball.
Setting up the Drill
• Player stands in batters box in hitting position.
• Coach is positioned opposite player and slightly in front on one knee.
• Coach under hands ball towards players front hip.
• Player swings and drives ball forward into netting.
Coaching Points
• Player should stand in the batter's box with toes pointed toward home plate and looking toward the pitcher.
• Feet should be spread apart and well balanced. Slightly more weight on back foot.
• Hands together on the bat.
Setting up the Drill
• Player stands in batters box in hitting position.
• Can be soft toss or batting tee.
• Player rocks back shifting weight to back foot and then transfers weight forward to front foot with the swing.
Coaching Points
• Go back to go forward.
• Shift some weight to back foot and then transfer weight to front foot on the swing.
Setting up the Drill
• Player stands in batters box in hitting position.
• Can be soft toss or batting tee.
• Before each swing - remind player to reset his/her grip on the bat.
Coaching Points
• Grip bat in your fingers not your hands.
• Align your 'door knockin' nuckles.
• Loose Hands and Quick Bat and Balanced
Setting up the Drill
• Player stands in batters box in hitting position.
• Coach under hands pitches from in front (behind screen); keep balls low and away for most success.
• Swing 2-3 times with both hands and then remove top hand.
• Use bottom hand for swing
• Choke up on bat for more control or use smaller bat.
Coaching Points
• Try to be short and quick to the ball.
• Swing and miss is OK
• Backhand motion; don't loop the swing and pull shoulder out.
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Base Running Drills
Setting up the Drill
• Players line up at home plate in the batters box.
• Players take a swing (no bat) and run to first base at full speed.
• After crossing first base - players jog back to home plate.
Coaching Points
• Full speed past first base and then decelerate; look over right shoulder for possible over throw.
• When rounding a base foot should land on the inside corner of the bag.
Setting up the Drill
• 2 players at home plate; 1st player runs through 1st base bag and breaks down; 2nd player rounds first to 2nd base.
• 1 player at 1st base; runs to 3rd base
• 1 player at 3rd base; tags up to score on fly ball
• Coaches yells "Go" to start each player in motion
Coaching Points
• Full speed past first base and then decelerate; look over right shoulder for possible over throw.
• When rounding a base foot should land on the inside corner of the bag.
Throwing / Catching Drills
Setting up the Drill
• 3-5 players in a line on both knees, no gloves.
• Player puts throwing hand behind their back.
• Coach tosses a ball to each player to catch with glove hand.
• Coach moves tosses from side to side to force player to catch the ball in multiple locations.
Coaching Points
• Fingers up to catch the ball.
• Move had across body (like a windshield wiper) to catch the ball.
• Watch ball into hand.
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Player should hold the ball with 2 fingers on top of the ball across the seams.
• Player should first use their wrist to "flick" the ball to the other player.
• Ready, Break, Throw
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Thumbs down on the break.
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Deflect ball from glove hand to throwing hand.
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Deflect ball from glove hand to throwing hand.
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Infield Drills
Setting up the Drill
• Separate team into groups of 3-5 players each in a line.
• Coach is out in front and rolls grounders to the first player in each line.
• Player fields ball and moves feet into throwing position.
• Player throws ball back to coach and moves to the end of the line.
Coaching Points
• Feet apart - bum down - hands in front.
• Maintain good balance
• Watch ball into glove
• Move feet and front shoulder into throwing position..
Setting up the Drill
• Separate team into groups of 3-5 players each in a line.
• Coach is out in front and rolls grounders to the first player in each line.
• Player fields ball and moves feet into throwing position.
• Player throws ball back to coach and moves to the end of the line.
Coaching Points
• Feet apart - bum down - hands in front.
• Maintain good balance
• Watch ball into glove
• Move feet and front shoulder into throwing position..
Setting up the Drill
• Divide team into groups of 3-5 players each in a line
• Coach is positioned across from players.
• Player balances on right leg (lefties on left leg)
• Coach rolls ball to left leg side.
• Player fields ball as left leg/toe hits ground and moves into throwing position.
Coaching Points
• Right - Left - Field
• Field ball at the same time that left toe hits ground.
• Right - Left - Throw
Setting up the Drill
• Groups of 3-5 players
• 3 cones in a triangle in front of the fielder.
• Coach out in front rolls grounder to first player in line.
• Player moves around cone to the right and fields ball in front of cone to the left and gets into a throwing positions.
Coaching Points
• Feet apart - bum down - hands in front.
• Maintain good balance
• Watch ball into glove
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Setting up the Drill
• Separate team into groups of 3-5 players each in a line.
• Coach is out in front and rolls grounders to the first player in each line.
Coaching Points
• Balanced, bum down, one knee down (glove side) and one bent (throwing side).
• Chest down towards knee (throwing side)• Field ball out in front of the throwing side foot.
Setting up the Drill
• Separate team into groups of 3-5 players each in a line.
• Set up three cones (or gloves/hats) in a line; the first 2 about 5 ft apart and the 3rd one about 10 ft apart.
• Starting at first cone, player fields ground ball, moves into throwing position and throws at 2nd cone, then follows the throw to the 3rd cone.
Coaching Points
• Move your feet (shuffle) to gain momentum towards the target.
• Get body into throwing position (front shoulder towards target).
• Stay balanced.
• Make the throw and then continue momentum to follow the throw.
Setting up the Drill
• Player standing at first base.
• Coaching or other players throwing to first base.
• Have 1st baseman take easy throws focusing on footwork and body positioning.
Coaching Points
• Heel up against the edge of the base.
• Glove and glove side foot step towards throw.
• Step and catch ball at same time.
• Keep glove inside your body.
Setting up the Drill
• Separate team into 2 groups of 3-5 players each in a line.
Coaching Points
• Field the ball first.
Setting up the Drill
• Set up bases ~10 yards apart in a square; 2-3 players at each base.
• Players catch and throw the ball around the square box, alternating turns
• To start, players stay at their cone. After a few throws, have the players follow their throw and sprint to next cone.
• Switch directions (clockwise vs. counter-clockwise)
Coaching Points
• Move your feet, bend your knees, be athletic
• Throwing – throw to glove side at shoulder level
• Catching - move feet to catch the ball on glove side
• Work on handling the ball and accuracy, not velocity
Setting up the Drill
• Group players into groups of 4/5 players; one baserunner with helmet in each group.
• Set up one group between 1st and 2nd bases and the other group between 3rd base and home plate.
• Two fielders on each base with base runner in the middle
• Encourage players to make only one throw to get the runner out.
Coaching Points
• Pick a lane (inside or outside of base runner)
• Ball out of the glove (no pump fakes!!)
• Run full speed
• Catch towards the ball (close the distance)
• Tag with 2 hands
Outfield Drills
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Drop Step
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Communication
• Catch the ball over your head and in front of your body.
• Keep eye on the balll.
• Secure the ball with 2 hands.
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Stay behind the ball.
• Attack the ball on the catch
• Set feet and make strong throw to infield.
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Drop step, cross over, and then run to ball.
• Keep glove above the head to track ball into glove.
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Setting up the Drill
• Group of 4-5 players
• One coach with bucket of balls.
• Coach throws a fly ball, then a ground ball to each fielder.
• Player fields each ball and throws to target.
• After fielding, player moves to catch throws (target)
• Target player moves to end of fielding line.
Coaching Points
• Drop step, cross over, then run to the ball.
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Pitching
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Balance
• Power
• Finish
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Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Setting up the Drill
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Catching
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
• Cover the 5-hole with glove
• Chest down over the ball.
Setting up the Drill
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Coaching Points
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Fun Games
Setting up the Game
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Coaching Points
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