Drill library

For kids

How to explain it: Five swings off the tee. Each round you only think about ONE thing — load, see contact, or finish — then we score how many are hard-hit.

What good looks like: Hit at least 3 out of 5 on the barrel. Loud sound, ball jumps off the tee, you finish balanced.

Why it matters: Your body learns one cue at a time. In a game your brain only has time for one thought before the pitch — this is how we practice that.

For kids

How to explain it: I’ll yell ‘swing’ or ‘take’ right when I let the ball go. Your job: do what I called, and only swing at strikes.

What good looks like: Get the call right 4 out of 5 times. When you swing, hit it hard.

Why it matters: Hitters who chase pitches make outs. This trains your eyes to read the pitch BEFORE your hands decide. That’s how you walk more and crush mistakes.

For kids

How to explain it: From the batter’s box, take your swing, drop the bat in the box, and SPRINT through first base. We time both runs.

What good looks like: Run THROUGH the bag — don’t slow down at first. Try to beat your own time on the second rep.

Why it matters: In a real game, beating out a ground ball is the difference between an out and a hit. The fastest 30 feet of your life happens after contact.

For kids

How to explain it: Catch the pitch, no extra steps, fire it to second base. We time from when it hits your mitt to when it hits the middle infielder’s glove.

What good looks like: Catch-to-throw in one smooth motion. Stop a runner stealing — that’s the test.

Why it matters: Pop time is how scouts measure catchers. Every tenth of a second you save is a runner you can throw out.

For kids

How to explain it: This ball bounces crazy on purpose. Bounce it to your partner — they have to catch it however it comes off the floor. Count how many you catch in a minute.

What good looks like: Beat your last score. Stay low, soft hands, eyes on the ball the whole way.

Why it matters: Ground balls and short hops never come the same way twice. Training your eyes and hands to react fast is what turns errors into outs.

For kids

How to explain it: Eight minutes of movement before we throw or sprint. Light jog, skips, leg swings, arm circles — wake everything up.

What good looks like: Break a light sweat. Feel loose, not tired. Nobody throws or runs full speed until this is done.

Why it matters: Cold muscles get hurt. This is how we protect your arm and legs so you can train at full speed for years, not just one season.

For kids

How to explain it: Five stations: squat, deadlift, push-up, row, carry. Light weight. Move slow and clean. Form before weight, every time.

What good looks like: Finish all three rounds with good form. If your back rounds or you wobble, the weight is too heavy — drop it.

Why it matters: Strong legs, hips, and core make you swing harder, throw harder, and stay healthy. We earn the weight by earning the technique.

For kids

How to explain it: Sprint hard to the cone, walk all the way back, then go again. Every rep is full effort — no jogging, no half-speed.

What good looks like: Your last sprint should feel as fast as your first. If you’re fading, take more rest.

Why it matters: Stealing a base, beating out a hit, chasing down a fly ball — every one is a short sprint from a dead start. This IS baseball speed.

For kids

How to explain it: Three stations on the bases. At each one I’ll give you a cue — pitcher’s first move, fly ball depth, pickoff — and you make the right read.

What good looks like: Right read, right reaction, every time. Not the fastest runner — the smartest.

Why it matters: You don’t need to be the fastest to take an extra base. Great baserunners SEE one thing earlier than everyone else. That’s what we’re training.

For kids

How to explain it: Three ground balls per round — one to your right, one straight, one to your left. Field it clean, then make an accurate throw to first.

What good looks like: Glove down early, work THROUGH the ball, and put the throw chest-high to first.

Why it matters: This is the most-repeated play in baseball. A clean ground ball plus a catchable throw equals an out — every single time.

For kids

How to explain it: Bad pitch, error, strikeout? Step off, four big breaths, say your cue word, and we play the next pitch. That’s the whole routine.

What good looks like: Use it EVERY time something goes wrong. If you forget, your teammate reminds you. No shame, just reset.

Why it matters: The last play is over. Carrying it into the next one is how a small mistake turns into a big inning. Pros reset in 30 seconds — so can you.

For kids

How to explain it: Hot day — we weigh in before and after practice, and you check your own pee color (privately) against the chart. That tells us if you’re drinking enough.

What good looks like: Lose less than 2% of your body weight. Pee should be pale yellow, not dark.

Why it matters: Dehydration makes you slower, weaker, and more likely to get hurt before you even notice. Your body is the best tool you’ve got — take care of it.

For kids

How to explain it: Short bullpen — 15 pitches. Catcher sets a glove, you hit it. Don’t worry about how hard, worry about where.

What good looks like: Land 9 of 15 in or on the target. Finish each pitch with your chest over your front knee.

Why it matters: Pitchers who throw strikes get to keep pitching. Velo gets you noticed; command keeps you on the mound.

For kids

How to explain it: Ball gets hit to the right side — your job is to beat the hitter to first base. Take a curved path so you don’t crash into the first baseman.

What good looks like: Catch the toss before you touch the bag, then run through the inside corner.

Why it matters: Every season a few games end because a pitcher didn’t cover first. Quiet play, big difference.

For kids

How to explain it: Stand in front of a mirror at home. Take 10 slow swings. Each round you only think about ONE thing.

What good looks like: Finish in the same balanced spot every single rep.

Why it matters: Your brain learns the swing in slow motion, not at game speed. This is the cheat code pros use in the off-season.

For kids

How to explain it: Squeeze a rolled-up towel 15 times each hand, then do little wrist curls with a water bottle.

What good looks like: Finish all 6 sets without your forearms going totally floppy.

Why it matters: Stronger hands = the bat doesn’t move on contact = more hard-hit balls. Cheapest hitting upgrade there is.

For kids

How to explain it: Mom or dad tosses a soft yarn ball. You don’t swing — you just call 'yes, strike' or 'no, ball' before it lands.

What good looks like: Get 15 of 20 right. Decide early; don’t wait until the ball is past you.

Why it matters: Hitting is mostly choosing the right pitch. Eyes train first; the swing follows.

For kids

How to explain it: Coach points left or right. Your first move is to turn that hip back and sprint — no backpedal, no false step.

What good looks like: First foot moves in the right direction on at least 12 of 16 reps.

Why it matters: Routes in the outfield are decided in the first step. Wrong step = the ball drops; right step = you’re under it.

For kids

How to explain it: Coach hits a line drive. The second the bat touches the ball, you yell 'in,' 'out,' or 'over' before you take a step.

What good looks like: Get the right call out loud on at least 7 of 10 balls.

Why it matters: Outfielders who guess wrong on the first read can’t recover. Train your eyes to read off the bat, not the flight.

For kids

How to explain it: Take the grounder, one out at second, then fire to first. You and your partner work together — the feed has to be on the chest so the SS can catch and throw in one move.

What good looks like: Turn 5 of 8 cleanly. No bobbles, no off-balance throws.

Why it matters: A double play is the fastest way out of a rally. Practiced teams turn them; teams that don’t practice it boot the ball.

For kids

How to explain it: Square up early, hold the bat at the top of the strike zone, and ‘catch’ the ball with the bat — don’t poke at it. We want the ball stopped in fair ground near third base.

What good looks like: 3 of 5 bunts fair and out of the catcher’s reach.

Why it matters: Moving a runner with a bunt is a small play that wins close games. Coaches trust kids who can do it.

For kids

How to explain it: Ball in the gap. Outfielder throws to the cutoff’s chest. Cutoff spins glove-side and fires to the base. Three throws, one chain.

What good looks like: 4 of 6 chains hit the cutoff’s chest cleanly.

Why it matters: Big throws from the outfield are slower and less accurate than a perfect relay. Teams that relay well keep doubles from becoming triples.

For kids

How to explain it: 20 low pitches. You receive quietly with your thumb up. Don’t pull the ball up — present it, hold it, give the ump a beat.

What good looks like: 14 of 20 caught quiet, no glove pull.

Why it matters: Umpires reward catchers who don’t move. Steal a few low strikes a game and you save your pitcher’s arm.

For kids

How to explain it: Three short-hops in a row — left, right, middle. Knees down, chin tucked, ball stays in front of you.

What good looks like: Keep 9 of 12 balls within 3 feet of you.

Why it matters: Catchers who block keep runners from stealing free bases. Pitchers throw braver when they trust you back there.

For kids

How to explain it: Bases loaded. Coach yells the outs, then hits the ball. You all have to know — before the pitch — where you’re throwing if the ball comes to you.

What good looks like: Make the right play on 4 of 6 scenarios.

Why it matters: Most youth runs score on mental mistakes, not great hits. Knowing your job before the pitch is half the game.

For kids

How to explain it: Four stations, 3 minutes each. Hit, field, throw, move. Coach blows the whistle — you rotate fast and don’t stand in line.

What good looks like: Hit all 4 stations. No more than 30 seconds of waiting at any one.

Why it matters: You get better by doing reps, not watching them. We pack 4 skills into 15 minutes so nobody’s bored.

For kids

How to explain it: Partner shows a hand signal — left, right, up, down. You move that way as fast as you can. No guessing.

What good looks like: Get 24 of 30 right with no anticipation steps.

Why it matters: Quick first move beats top speed every time. This is the same skill that turns singles into outs.

For kids

How to explain it: Move the tee back a little. Try to hit all 5 to the opposite field. Hands stay inside the ball.

What good looks like: 3 of 5 line drives to the opposite gap.

Why it matters: Hitters who can go the other way don’t get pitched around. It’s how you raise your batting average.

For kids

How to explain it: Partner rolls hard short-hops. Your job is to catch them soft — bring the ball to your belly button. Don’t stab.

What good looks like: Catch 16 of 20 clean. No double-clutches.

Why it matters: Soft hands are the difference between an out and an error. This is the fundamental that infielders never outgrow.

For kids

How to explain it: Start close with your partner, then back up every 5 throws until you’re at your max. Then walk back in throwing line drives.

What good looks like: Hit your partner’s chest at every distance. Walking back in, throws stay flat — no rainbows.

Why it matters: Throwing far the right way builds a healthier, stronger arm. Throwing far the wrong way is how you blow out an elbow.

For kids

How to explain it: Five swings with the heavy bat, five with the light bat, then five with your real bat off the tee. We measure how hard you hit.

What good looks like: Make the light-bat swings feel like a whip — then keep that speed on your real bat. Hit the tee ball loud.

Why it matters: Switching between heavy and light teaches your body to swing faster. Faster bat speed is how the ball jumps off your barrel.

For kids

How to explain it: We move the tee low, middle, then high. Your barrel has to match each height with the same smooth path.

What good looks like: Square up every height — loud contact, ball on a line into the net. At least 3 of 5 hard-hit each round.

Why it matters: Pitches come at different heights. A barrel that stays on plane can cover all of them, so you square up more pitches in games.

For kids

How to explain it: I’ll toss balls with numbers or colors on them. Shout what you see, then only swing if it’s a strike.

What good looks like: Call it right 4 of 5 times and still take a balanced swing at strikes.

Why it matters: The best hitters see the ball early and decide fast. Training your eyes to read the ball is how you stop chasing and start crushing strikes.

For kids

How to explain it: Three magic words: Ready, Aim, Throw. We freeze at each one so you feel it, then everybody throws the same way at once.

What good looks like: Hit all three freeze spots — grip checked, glove pointed, strong legs — then let it fly.

Why it matters: Every good throw starts the same way. Learn the three steps now and throwing feels easy forever.

For kids

How to explain it: Imagine a dog standing behind you. Before you throw, take the ball way back so the dog can see it. Then throw to your partner.

What good looks like: Show the dog the ball on every single throw. Big arm circle, step to your partner.

Why it matters: A full arm circle makes the ball go farther and keeps your arm healthy. Short, jerky throws are how arms get sore.

For kids

How to explain it: Your glove is the bottom of an alligator mouth — put it flat on the ground. Your other hand is the top. When the ball comes, CHOMP and pull it to your bellybutton.

What good looks like: Two hands every time, ball pulled to your belly. No one-handed stabs.

Why it matters: Two hands means the ball can’t pop out. This is how every great infielder learned to field clean.

For kids

How to explain it: Hands out, watch the ball all the way, catch it, then cradle it into your body like you’re catching an egg.

What good looks like: Soft hands — the ball doesn’t bounce out. Fingers up for high catches, fingers down for low ones.

Why it matters: Catching soft means the ball stays in your hands. That’s the whole game on defense — catch it, then make the play.

For kids

How to explain it: Three steps before you swing: set your feet, set your hands, bat ready. Then hit the ball off the tee and finish balanced.

What good looks like: Quiet feet, good contact, and you don’t fall over on the finish.

Why it matters: Strong, still feet are where every good swing starts. Learn the setup now and hitting gets easier every year.

For kids

How to explain it: It’s freeze tag! If you get tagged, freeze in your best throwing or hitting position until a friend frees you.

What good looks like: Run hard, have fun, and make your frozen position look perfect.

Why it matters: We warm up and practice good positions at the same time — and it doesn’t even feel like work.

For kids

How to explain it: Two teams, two lines. Race the ball down your line and back. Quick catch, quick throw — fastest team wins.

What good looks like: Clean catches and fast transfers. Win the race without dropping the ball.

Why it matters: Relays win real games — they get the ball home fast. And racing makes practicing catch way more fun.

For kids

How to explain it: Hit the ball, drop the bat (don’t throw it!), and sprint. Run RIGHT THROUGH first base — don’t slow down or jump on it.

What good looks like: Full speed across the bag, then slow down after. Hit the front edge of the base.

Why it matters: Running through first means you beat more throws. Slowing down early is how runners get out by a step.

For kids

How to explain it: On a base hit, swing out in a little banana curve so you can round first hard and hit the inside corner. Then look at the ball — if they bobble it, you go.

What good looks like: Smooth banana route, inside corner, and the right read on every rep.

Why it matters: Rounding first the right way lets you grab an extra base when the defense slips. Smart runners score more runs.

For kids

How to explain it: A ball goes up between you and a teammate. Whoever takes it yells ‘Ball! Ball! Ball!’ until it’s in the glove. The other person gets out of the way.

What good looks like: Loud, early call every time — no bumping, no dropped easy fly balls.

Why it matters: Two players going for the same ball without talking is how outfielders crash and drop easy outs. Talking keeps everybody safe and the ball caught.

For kids

How to explain it: Your partner kneels to the side and flips you the ball. You hit line drives into the net, reset, and go again.

What good looks like: Hard line drives — not pop-ups. Reset your stance every toss.

Why it matters: Soft toss gives you tons of swings fast. More good reps is how your swing becomes automatic in games.