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Pre-Game Warm Up
Pre-Game warm up is essential in player development. At the high school level, it is common for teams to go through their throwing progression and work to a short long-toss, then take infield-outfield (I/O). Some leagues allow batting practice (BP) before the games others do not have time. At the youth level, teams are often not permitted to take I/O because there is not enough time to prepare the field and get started on time before the sun sets. Also, in order to keep tournaments going, there is often only 15 minutes for pitchers to warm up.
There are so many different coaches from rec ball to travel ball and every team is in a different situation. Ideally, players should get to the field, ready to play at least 60 minutes before their first game. One weeknights, when parents are coming from work, can be very difficult. However, pre-game warm up is essentially another practice. This allows for more development by progressively developing gross motor skills. Too many parents and coaches think that just playing games will get players better and that simply is not true. Games are one of the least effective ways in developing players. Oftentimes during a game, one pitcher either strikes out or walks most hitters for the inning. This means all of the fielders are not getting any reps for the duration of the inning and the same is true for the hitters that did not come up that inning.
That is not to say that games are not essential for player development. Live situation is key, but try to maximize reps for ALL players before you get to live components in practice. During games, starting with a good pre-game warm up will allow that development to continue even on game days. It can be difficult to get a field for your team to practice on once the season starts. Pre-game warm up is not a substitute for practice, but it can further develop players and make a huge difference in your teams success. I would venture to say that teams with the best warm up often go the furthest in playoffs. Teams with the most regular season wins may have had the best initial talent, but teams that develop the most players and the most ability have the best chance at winning games at the end of the season.
To start warm ups I have players briefly go through dynamic stretching (not static, I will go over this more in a future post). If we only have a set amount of time in the batting cage, I split the team in half. Half go to hit and the other half go through their throwing progression (a future post). After one group hits then rotate the throwers with the hitters. After everyone has hit and warmed up, one group does infield drills and the other does outfield. The pitcher and catcher will split off with a coach 15-20 minutes before game time to get warmed up.
If there is no cage time provided, I have the entire team go through throwing progressions together. Then I like to split my group of 12 players into three groups. I have 1 coach run through infield, 1 does outfield, and 1 does hitting. The fourth coach will pull the starting pitcher and catcher about 15-20 minutes before the game to get warmed up. The catcher and pitcher get to hit first.
A team drill that I like to do if there is time is relays. I put the players in three groups; OF, INF, and Catcher. I hit a ball to whoever is up for OF. The INF has to come from the side and get lined up by the catcher, catch the ball, turn glove side, and throw to the catcher. The catcher has to catch and tag something on the ground. Then I rotate the groups so all players do all three roles.
Here are the drills we do for the three groups; hitting, infield, and outfield. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. At first, you won’t get through most of these, but as the players learn the routine and improve, you don’t have to spend as much time at the beginning steps and you can progress to the more complex. Routines will help speed up team improvement.
Hitting:
PVP Pipe (see previous Coach’s Corner Post)
High Tee (Have the Tee set at the players arm pits), Alanso’s, or Happy Gilmore Tee (Shuffle-Back-Shuffle Forward-be sure to land back foot first)
Side Toss (for 11-12 year olds)
On Deck Hitter: The next hitter should be behind the cage practicing timing up the pitcher just like they should be doing in the on deck circle.
Infield:
2 Knee barehand
2 knee barehand backhand (10 y/o +)
2 Knee forehand (11 y/o +)
2 Knee Glove
2 Knee Glove backhand (10 y/o +)
2 Knee Glove Forehand (11 y/o +)
2 Knee Short Fungo
Roll Throughs: Put three baseballs to go around. Start at one, make players charge to the right and go around the 2nd ball. Then come forward and across to field the ball and present to throw.
Fungo with Throws
Outfield
2 Knee Barehand Catch Above Head
2 Knee Glove Catch Above Head
2 Knee Dive forward with glove
2 Knee Dive sideways with glove
Drop Steps (run backwards at a 45 degree angle)
Drop Steps Opposite side
Defensive Back Drill (Swing hips open and keep eye on the ball, coach hold the ball over his head and sways left to right and the player adjusts. Then the coach throws the ball up for the player to get behind and catch)
Oh-Shoot-Drill (11+) Player runs back at a 45, then takes his eyes off the ball and speed turns 45 degrees back toward the middle and the coach throws the ball when the players back is turned.
Fungos