All-Star Practice Plan

Saturday, April 25, 2026  •  2 hr  •  Defense + heavy hitting, no live throws
Today's focus: Defensive footwork and IQ in the cool half, big hitting block in the heat. Arms are protected — no overhand throws all day. Kids pitched Thu/Fri or pitch Monday for rec.
1. Arrivals & Dynamic Warm-Up 15 min
Greet, brief intros, set tone. Loosen up, then transition into baseball-specific movement.
  • Jog goal-line to goal-line (2x), high knees, butt kicks, side shuffle
  • Leg swings, arm circles, lunges with rotation, inchworms
  • Movement (last 5 min): shuffle → fielding stance → shuffle  •  forward charge → break down → simulate field  •  ready hop on coach's "hit" cue
  • Coach huddle: "today is footwork, IQ, and hitting — no throwing"
Cues: get loose, eyes up, athletic stance, weight on balls of feet.
2. Glove Work Stations (4 groups, rotate every ~4.5 min) 18 min
A — Rolled Grounders
Coach rolls (not hits). Field cleanly, place ball in bucket. No throws.
B — Short Hops & Soft Hands
Tennis or soft balls. Absorb, secure cleanly. Pure hands work.
C — Backhand & Forehand Angles
Roll to both sides. Field, freeze in throwing position. Check footwork.
D — Reaction Hands
Coach flips tennis balls at close range. Quick hands, secure clean.
Cues: stay low  •  funnel to center  •  quiet glove  •  soft hands.
3. Footwork & Shadow Throws 12 min
Throwing mechanics without arm stress. Quick water break before starting.
  • Field rolled ball → step → set feet → fake the throw (no release)
  • 6–8 reps per player to each side (forehand and backhand)
  • Add: field, set, point glove at target, hold for a beat
Cues: right-left rhythm  •  align shoulders to target  •  "feet first, throw second."
4. Slow Rollers / Charge Plays 12 min
Coach softly hits or rolls slow rollers — players charge and field on the run.
  • Finish options (rotate): flip into bucket / underhand toss (short) / hold-and-reset
  • 6 reps per player
  • Finish with a quick "knockout" round — miss = out, last one standing wins
Cues: beat the ball to the spot  •  under control, not rushed  •  field it out front.
5. Fly Balls & Communication 12 min
Light fungo or coach toss into the OF. Quick water break before starting.
  • Players call "MINE!" loudly before the catch — every time, no exceptions
  • After catch: quick reset, no throw
  • Add overlap balls (between two fielders) — teach CF priority
  • Drop-step drill: ball over the head, turn and run
Cues: read off the bat  •  get behind it  •  drift only if needed.
6. Cuts, Relays & Team Defense 12 min
Slow-paced walkthrough — no throws. Keep it tight, attention spans wilt in the heat.
  • Cuts/relays (5 min): walk through one scenario — ball to RF, runner on 1st. Who's the relay? Where do they line up? Who backs up?
  • Team defense (7 min): coach rolls to a position, freezes play, asks the field "where's the play? who covers? where's the cut?"
  • Walk through 2 scenarios: runner on 1st  •  runners on 1st & 2nd
Cues: talk before every pitch  •  know the play before the ball is hit.
7. Hitting Block — 4 Stations (rotate every ~8 min) 34 min
Heaviest block of the day, in the hottest stretch — kids stay in shaded station rotations rather than running. Zero arm load on players.
Station 1 — Tee Work (Zones)
Inside / middle / outside. High and low. Quality reps, not volume.
Station 2 — Front Toss
Coach behind L-screen, kneel toss. Short to the ball, drive line drives.
Station 3 — Bunting
Sac bunt (square + pivot) + drag/push. Top hand soft, catch the ball with the bat.
Station 4 — Two-Strike / Vision
Coach drop or quick flip. Choke up, shorten swing, "just put it in play."
Cues: balanced load  •  short to the ball  •  finish strong  •  quality over quantity.
8. Wrap-Up & Coaches Talk 5 min
Circle up. Highlight 2–3 things that looked good. Light arm-care band work, hand stretches, logistics for next session, team chant / break.

Equipment

  • Buckets of baseballs (8–10)
  • Tennis / soft balls (6+)
  • 4 buckets (one per glove station)
  • 4–6 cones (stance markers, angles)
  • Fungo bat
  • 2–3 hitting tees
  • L-screen for front toss
  • Whistle, water cooler (heat — keep it accessible)

Coaching Reminders

  • "Field it out front."
  • "Beat the ball to the spot."
  • "Quiet body, soft hands."
  • "Get your feet right first, throw second."
  • Heat: water breaks before sections 3, 5, 7. Watch faces.
  • If a kid struggles, simplify — don't pile on cues.