At-home practice

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We are limited in the time that we get to experience as a team.  Keep building up your skills when you are away from the practice field and games.  

Below are examples of at home exercises based on USA's baseball's Youth Skills Matrices.

1. “One-Step Throw” Accuracy
   
   • Stand ~10–15 feet apart with a partner (or throw into a net/target).
   • Take one step with your glove-side foot and throw using a smooth arm circle.
   • Aim for 5–10 accurate throws in a row.
   • Focus: Proper grip, basic step, follow-through.

1. Wrist Flicks & Follow-Through
   
   • From a short distance (~5 feet), isolate the wrist flick by holding the ball at ear level and lightly snapping the wrist forward to a partner.
   • Emphasize a gentle follow-through, finishing with your hand near your opposite hip.
   • Focus: Arm action and releasing the ball cleanly.

1. One-Knee Throw to Target
   
   • Kneel on glove-side knee, throw to a partner or wall, focusing on upper body rotation and backspin.
   • Perform 10 throws, then switch knees if desired.
   • Focus: Proper arm circle, linear movement (even from a kneeling position).

1. Power Position Drill
   
   • Stand sideways to the target with feet slightly apart.
   • Load your throwing arm back, glove pointing toward the target.
   • Step and deliver the throw, focusing on head stability and following your throw.
   • Focus: Hitting a target with full-body coordination.

1. Wall Toss Basics
   
   • Stand a few feet from a wall, gently toss a tennis ball against it, and catch with two hands.
   • Focus on “fingers up” for high catches and “fingers down” for low catches.
   • Focus: Basic glove/hand position, soft hands.

1. Step & Catch
   
   • With a partner or parent underhand tossing, take one step forward to meet the ball and catch it.
   • Emphasize moving your feet and using two hands.
   • Focus: Proper foot positioning, getting behind the ball.

1. Move-Around Catch
   
   • A partner tosses the ball slightly left, right, high, and low.
   • Move your feet around the ball before catching, staying balanced.
   • Focus: Quick footwork and a strong receiving position.

1. “Pop & Catch” Self-Toss
   
   • Toss the ball up with one hand or throw against a net, give a small hop or drop-step, and catch with the glove.
   • Practice reading the flight quickly.
   • Focus: Tracking the ball and hand-eye coordination.

1. Soft-Roll Grounders
   
   • A partner rolls a tennis or wiffle ball.
   • Get into a ready stance, move in front of the ball, scoop it with two hands.
   • Focus: Proper fielding position (knees bent, glove down).

1. Four Corners Glove Drill
   
   • With no ball, practice turning your glove to each “corner” (forehand, backhand, low, high). Have a sibling or parent use a bat or hit stick to simulate the ball location.
   • Repeat 5–10 times.
   • Focus: Building muscle memory for all glove angles.

1. Forehand/Backhand Wall Work
   
   • Toss or bounce a tennis ball off a wall or net to your forehand and backhand sides.
   • Shuffle to meet the ball, field with head down, chest down, hands down.
   • Focus: Angles, footwork, and quick reaction.

1. Slow-Roller Practice
   
   • Gently roll a ball to simulate a slow grounder.
   • Charge the ball, scoop it up, and do a quick “flick” or “underhand toss” to an imaginary base.
   • Focus: Attacking the ball, quick transfer.

1. Self-Pop
   
   • Gently toss a ball straight up (not too high), move underneath it, and catch with two hands above the head.
   • Emphasize calling “I got it!” even if alone.
   • Focus: Glove position on pop-ups, basic stance.

1. Short “Over-the-Shoulder” Toss
   
   • A partner lightly lobs a ball over your shoulder as you face away.
   • Turn your head/shoulders, track the ball, catch it over your shoulder.
   • Focus: Early recognition and footwork for simple over-the-shoulder catches.

1. Drop-Step Drills
   
   • Stand facing your partner; partner says “Left!” or “Right!” and tosses a fly ball behind you.
   • Quickly drop-step in the called direction, track, and catch.
   • Focus: Drop-step technique and glove control.

1. “Keep It in Front” Bounce
   
   • Using a rebound net or have a partner bounce a ball in front.
   • Work on running forward and fielding it like an outfielder (scooping with glove hand).
   • Focus: Charging the ball, securing it quickly, transitioning to throw.

1. Tee Work with Target
   
   • Use a batting tee (or improvise with a cone) and soft or wiffle balls.
   • Aim for a spot on a fence or net above waist height.
   • Emphasize finishing your swing and balancing.
   • Focus: Aggressive swing, stable stance.

1. Bat-On-Shoulder Load Drill
   
   • Start with the bat resting on your shoulder.
   • As a parent/partner says “Go,” load your hands back and stride, but hold the bat at the launch position.
   • Then complete the swing slowly.
   • Focus: Feeling the load and stride timing.

1. Front Toss in Slow Motion
   
   • A partner tosses a wiffle ball underhand softly.
   • Focus on a slow, controlled load and stride, then accelerate the swing at contact.
   • Make contact at ball arc high-point.
   • Focus: Rhythm, balance, and full extension.

1. Mirror Check
   
   • Practice your stance and swing in front of a mirror.
   • Watch for foot placement, head stability, and balanced finish.
   • Focus: Self-correcting posture, consistent mechanics.

1. Soft-Toss to a Target
   
   • A partner softly tosses a ball from the side; aim to hit the ball into a net or taped square on a wall.
   • Focus: Basic bat control, focusing on direction.

1. Tee “Pepper”
   
   • Set the tee low, use wiffle balls, and try short “pepper” swings to tap the ball forward gently.
   • Increase distance or target area as skill improves.
   • Focus: Hand-eye coordination, short swing path.

1. Contact Point Drill
   
   • Place a tee at various spots (inside, outside, middle) and practice hitting line drives(center/opp field direction).
   • Focus: Understanding where contact should be for each pitch location.

1. Bunting Stance & Tap
   
   • Use a wiffle ball; practice squaring around to bunt.
   • Try to tap the ball softly, controlling direction (down 1st or 3rd base line).
   • Focus: Sacrifice bunting mechanics, soft hands.

1. Run Through 1st
   
   • Mark a “first base” line in the yard.
   • From 10–15 feet away, sprint full speed across it, do not slow down until fully past the line.
   • Focus: Proper finishing at first base.

1. Rounding 1st
   
   • Place two cones for 1st base and another 4–5 feet away at an angle.
   • Practice running to 1st, stepping on the inside corner of the “base,” then curving out to the second cone.
   • Focus: Foot placement for rounding.

1. Primary Lead & Quick Jump
   
   • If space allows, simulate a base. Take a 2–3 step lead, freeze, then explode 3–5 more steps.
   • Focus: Quick reaction off the “pitcher.”

1. Slide Practice (Towel Drill)
   
   • On a safe surface (grass or carpet), lay a towel and practice a the figure four slide and pop-up.
   • Focus: Proper sliding form, no head-first slides.