Overview:
This is a throwing drill that uses the entire team and the entire diamond. The kids throw the ball to each other and follow their throws. I like Wheelhouse because it lets the kids practice every kind of throwing motion they are likely to see on the diamond, its quick and it can really get the kids a lot of repititions.
Setup:
What you need is a ball and a baseball diamond, or a space close enough to a baseball diamond size.
Send out an infield, first, second, short, third and have everyone else line up at home plate.
Hand the ball to the player at home.
- Player at home throws a grounder to first, then runs to first.
- Player at first fields grounder, turns and fires to third, then runs to third.
- Player at third throws to second, then runs to second.
- Player at second flips to Short, then runs to short.
- Player at short throws home then gets at the back of the line at home.
Diagram:
Emphasis:
Solid throws and catches. The team that plays catch the best plays baseball the best.
Variations / Tips:
- Have coaches on the corners with extra baseballs to minimize chasing and keep the drill moving. We want kids throwing and catching, not standing around and watching. Running happens after the throw to the next station.
- You can add a pitcher with the home plate player rolling a slow grounder to the pitcher who picks it up and fires to first. Home to pitcher, pitcher to first.
- At the beginning of a season, have the kids call the other players name just before they throw. For example, player at home yells, “Bandit” (our kids all have nicknames) and then throw them the ball. The idea is to get to know each others names quickly.
Credit: I got this drill from Brad Leitz of the Chandler Renegades.
